Wednesday 29 August 2012

Little by little

I'm almost back to normal, well as normal as ever... I've decided not to consider being ill as 'me time' as although I did have lots of extra support, I was really poorly.

Today I managed to get my 'hour' - but in little tiny five minute sections, it was a 'bitty' day by any standards, but somehow having the rain beating on the windows and being all safe and warm inside was rather lovely. Having been very busy with visitors and visiting in the morning, the afternoon was chilled out and I managed to get quite a few useful jobs done. Little and often can work well and being productive can feel relaxing in a strange sort of way.

All that said, with the evening all to myself I've managed to get absolutely nothing done! I've been putting off writing an article as I haven't quite got it right in my head yet, but the deadline is looming and I was planning to get it done tonight. My excuse for now is that I'm watching the Paralympics Opening Ceremony, which is just wondeful to feel part of. Some things are worth pausing to enjoy - this is one of them.

Saturday 25 August 2012

Back on Track

Apologies for not being on 'mission' for a few days, I've been quite poorly, so virtual and real socialising has been on hold.

However, as an attempt to gain a bit of the mission, and to feel more 'me' I did treat myself to a trip to my lovely hairdresser. Having a bit of colour added to the ever increasing grey, and a good chop back into some sort of shape did make me feel more grown up, and more myself. The time it takes to complete had the added bonus of forcing me to read for two hours - a rare and beautiful thing! I'm reading The Hare with Amber Eyes at the moment, which does require a good length of time to get into, I'm enjoying it more now, but without that long stab at the beginning I might have not bothered as it lacks a certain something at the beginning.

Not much more was achieved in terms of me time - I'm not a very good patient, so being ill hasn't been easy. I'm very lucky to have good friends and a wonderful husband around me, 'me' time takes many forms as I've discovered, sometimes it's just about taking medication and not doing things!

Sunday 19 August 2012

Can sleep count?

After failing in my mission for the last few days, I've decided to count going to bed at 9.30pm last night - and the extra hour of sleep I got! Things have just been very busy here, and time for me has gone by the wayside a litte - which is as it should be, but I'm now feeling I could do with a bit of 'me time' back. It's hard to give out lots of energy if you don't get the chance to refill your own again. I teach about this all the time, and then forget to do it all for myself...

It made me laugh when I was teaching 'Stress Management' once and one of the students remarked that I must have a stress free life as I knew all these things. Of course that is far from the truth, and sometimes knowing what you should do is more frustrating when you're not doing it. I come up with all the excuses that my students do - but I then have to challenge myself to also follow through with the solutions.

Challenge for tomorrow - Focus on a SMART list of things to do, and then do them!

Friday 17 August 2012

How about a minute a day?!

Well, I've decided not to make too many plans on my day off from now on, as they never seem to materialise... This week has gone in a flash, not sure I've managed my mission more than once. It's been a 'giving' week time wise as lots of good causes have needed my attention.

I have done all that was asked of me with good cheer - but now feel like curling up with a huge glass of wine and a good book (possibly some chocolate) in bed to recover from being nice. I do try hard to be kind and caring, but there are times when I need to just be a miserable so and so on my own. The weekend also looks packed, so I am pinning all my mission hopes on Monday, but as I reach for a tissue and feel a cough coming on it may be another plan that will be shifted...

I guess even happy people are allowed the odd grumpy day?

Monday 13 August 2012

Time waits for no man...(or woman)

As we prepare to celebrate our daughters 2nd birthday I am marvelling at the speed with which two years of my life has gone by - and the incredible changes it has gone through. Spending more time thinking about how to spend time sounds a complete waste of energy, but I truly think I'm appreciating everything so much more.

My 'hour' has taken a bit of a back burner over the last few days as things have been pretty hectic, but I managed my book club tonight, and it was a lovely discussion about a book I throughly enjoyed, and would heartily recommend - Balthazar Jones and the Tower of London Zoo, I found it in the New Books mag that I subscribe to.

I'm a bit sad about the end of the Olympics, which as a joy to watch, but I'm excited that we may get some tickets to see some Paralympic events from friends, and in time for my birthday - now that would be many 'me' hours...

A lovely day today - and despite a virus and no sleep last night or tonight for the birthday girl - I have high hopes for tomorrow.

Tuesday 7 August 2012

Are all hours equal?

Part of my mission is about the quality of the time I spend in different tasks, and it's been a really interesting experience. For example today I spent well over an hour vacuuming the house which - for those of you who don't know me - was not part of 'me time', however I do feel very satisfied about my endeavours, and much more relaxed than I did after reading a book yesterday. Some of the 'me time' is about doing things that are in niggling at the back of my mind, and therefore prevent me enjoying other activities. Today was one of those days, I got to do lots of jobs I hate - which doesn't sound great, but now I feel much better for it and have had a lovely evening with friends genuinely feeling relaxed.

Bring on tomorrow (but please just the essentials for housework).

Sunday 5 August 2012

Busy, busy

The original mission to have more 'me time' has evolved into more of an appreciation of the time I have, and what I do with it. Over the last few days I've not had a moment to get on the laptop - but for all good reasons. It's been a lovely mix of family time, as we celebrated our crystal wedding anniversary with a special day out all together, and some 'getting things done' time as we tried to do some of the big jobs around the house that have been on our minds for a while.

To be honest, I've also been totally absorbed by the Olympics, and the excitement is growing now so I'm typing furiously between the wonderful Silver medal for the 400m, and the countdown to the men's 100m!

Time is so precious, and as the 100m is about to show, just ten seconds can become the focus of the whole world. I'm enjoying the focus I'm putting on my own choices about how to spend each moment, and have made real changes to my actions... and it feels good.