Making Time When There Is No Time
I want to talk about something that affects us all: finding time for ourselves. It’s not surprising that in today’s world, with so many pulls and commitments upon our time, where meeting obligations takes priority, self-improvement is a luxury that some just don’t have the time for.
Over the last couple of months, I had to juggle many different tasks. For example, making time for family, for friends, not to mention work pressures, and still make time for me. It seems like an impossible task just trying to keep up with everything, leaving me feeling running on empty.
At the back of my mind, though, I have known that finding a moment, is not just a luxury, it is essential for my well-being.
Realising the Need for Change
Surely, I’m not alone in this thinking. There must be other people who feel overwhelmed sometimes; who feel that there is never enough time to get everything done. A busy lifestyle drowning is a broadband society, leaves nothing but stress and anxiety.
As we cram more in, we make less time for ourselves. We are content with a moment here or a moment there. Family and friends suffer first, because they barely get to see us as we “pop in on our way to” somewhere, something, someone else.
We prioritise other unimportant stuff over ourselves and our significant others, causing us to feel disconnected from what truly matters in our life, just to get done what we think is important. That never-ending list of jobs to do, and important things that never gets done.
No more. It’s Time for a change
Let me make this important point. Your state of mind is important. Burnout is something that you can live without. Stress is something that you can live without. Feeling overwhelmed is something that you can live without. Nothing is more important in this world than you and your state of mind.
Easy for you to say! You don’t know my life
I know, but, I’ve been there. My mindset used to be that I had to go for everything, get everything, and not rest until it was done. Before marriage, and the birth of my daughter, it was easy to do anything that sparked an interest. Afterwards, lifestyle and family life took charge.
My daughter was born eighteen years ago. I know what it’s like to be a busy parent. Back then, those days were filled with school runs, after-school activities, housework, dinner, and days out, all while juggling a full-time job. Just like everyone else.
I had a good job, which was local, fortunately. Thank God I didn’t have to travel too far. But, despite a short commute, I still had meetings, deadlines, and long hours. Once promoted, my day got even longer, family time got shorter, and “me time” was never ticked off my to do list.
Eventually, I couldn’t wait for the end of the day. Not the end of the day where you sit down, put your feet up, open a bottle, and pour a glass of wine as you watch television. No, the other end of the day, where you clamber into bed, pull the covers over, and if you are lucky, remember to turn out the light before you close your eyes. Working on myself, or spending time thinking of ways to improve, was a dream, literally.
Coffee, if only
I don’t know how it came about, or what broke, but something did. I can’t remember if I was forced to, by doctors’ orders, or if I came to my senses of my own accord, but something caused me to turn the corner and look in another direction.
I started to find moments. Not long moments. Just a moment here and a moment there. After a while, these moments became part of my daily routine. Then, slowly but surely, these moments began to increase in duration.
For example, let’s take the simple task of making a cup of coffee. It sounds silly. But if you are honest, making a cup of coffee is a delightful escape from the to-do list. It’s a five-minute break. Golden time. It should be when you get to do nothing at all, but just sit with your thoughts, maybe looking out of a window.
In reality, when does that happen?
We sit on our phone, allowing the unimportant mind-numbing distractions to wash over our consciousness, when we should be “just being!”. Time passes, quickly, and we jump back into the hustle and bustle, leaving half a cup of coffee with a half empty promise of our return.
Had we just taken a moment and really got into the moment, mindfully, we would have felt more grounded, more rested, and more at peace. But we don’t. We get up, we get going again, full-on “must-do”, “can-do”, “no-time-to-rest” martyr mode.
We end up having arguments with all those near and dear, for not appreciating all the work that we do, which leads to an environment jam-packed with tension. Not very conducive to relaxation.

How much am I asking?
I’m not asking much. I’m just asking for a little. I’m asking you to take small steps. Start with five minutes, then ten, and when you get used to it, for the advanced, fifteen minutes Let’s see how that looks.
Five-minute hacks
- ~ Pay attention to the whole process of making your morning tea or coffee.
- ~ Sit by your window and watch the rain.
- ~ Find a quiet spot in your garden or on a park bench, and just fill the breeze on your face as you close your eyes.
Ten-minute hacks
- ~ Grab some old photos and go back down memory lane.
- ~ Find some candles, or incense sticks and light them whilst listening to some classical music.
- ~ Be fully engaged in a conversation with your neighbour.
- ~ Go feed the ducks.
- ~ Journal.
Fifteen-minute hacks
- ~ Find a hill and gaze out over the horizon contemplating your goals, dreams, and aspirations.
- ~ Create a peaceful corner in your room with cushions and dim lights. Listening to soft music.
- ~ Grab your yoga mat; practice deep breathing exercises.
- ~ Walk to the corner shop and buy an ice cream.
Come up with your own, the list can be endless. Just be kind to you.
What’s in it for me? Its a feeling
All I can say is what I felt. Once started, I didn’t want to stop. When you start to feel the benefits, missing a day is noticeable. A feedback loop starts to develop. I gained a sense of purpose, which reduced my stress and anxiety. My focus improved, I could think more clearly, and I had an overall general improvement in my well-being.
Other people noticed improvements in me. They noticed I wasn’t as ratty, as irritable as I had been previously. It had a knock-on effect on my relationships, which made me feel great, improving my confidence, which lead to being more at peace with myself.
All I ask is that you give it a go. Don’t just try it for a day or two, give it a week or two. Write in a journal and see how you get on. The world is busy, and if you calm your mind in this chaotic world, you’re going to be better for it.
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