Carrie Cullen LLC 

Lately it is becoming more and more obvious that I, pretty much, refuse to take time for myself. Anyone else struggle with this? (I’m lookin’ at you, moms!). We would tell our best friend to take time for themselves and that they are so deserving of it, but when it comes to us we drop the ball.

If someone else asks for my time and my calendar is open, I truly feel like “no” is not even an option. On the other hand, when I think about taking time and doing something for myself, I feel selfish and typically say it can wait until later (aka never). This is not okay.

Perpetually, I feel like I never have time to get shit done that I really “want” to get done. Like write. Take photos. Hand-letter. Read. Sit on the porch, allow myself to do nothing and enjoy the tranquility. Things that make my soul sing.  

When I do finally convince myself that I deserve to have a little time to myself, this weird thing happens; I become a professional procrastinator. I will do anything under the sun before I allow myself the time to do whatever it is actually want to do. I will get caught up on my budget, pay bills, make a grocery run and clean the apartment. Then, low and behold, I do not have enough time for that thing that I was going to do to make me happy.

So, why the hell do we do this? I have a few guesses.

Carrie Cullen LLC

Carrie Cullen LLC

1. We subconsciously think we do not deserve it. Maybe we think we are on this planet to make people happy and forget that we are a person, too.

2. Fear aka the Big Snooze aka the ego. Our ego operates on fear and scarcity. It is afraid to take a risk and do something outside of our normal everyday routine because what if we suck at it? Then we would have to crawl into a hole and never come out.

3. Catholic guilt. We were raised to make sure we are keeping the peace and making sure everyone else is happy.

Taking and making time for ourselves will be a lifelong back and forth battle. As annoyed as I am that I am horrible at taking time for myself, at least I know this. That is the first step to improving on it. So this week, I am taking time for me. How am I doing it? I am putting the bullshit excuses and fear aside, getting shit done, and reminding myself that I am worthy of all the time and happiness I can get. And of course, so are you.

Are you feeling like you could benefit from a little “me time”, too? Join me in making decision to carve out more time this week and fill your days with the things you love. We deserve it! I’ll be over here cheering you on!

Xoxo crew,

C