Finding Some "Me" Time

Time is a valuable asset for any busy woman. So it’s important to identify the time-robbers in your life, get rid of them, and gradually replace empty drudgery with activities that rejuvenate you.

To discover who or what is robbing your time, start by keeping a log of how you spend each hour for a day or two. Include things such as regular work, school, caring for kids, housework, food preparation, shopping, running errands and talking on the phone.

You may discover that you are allowing yourself to be robbed of time dealing with non-priority tasks or doing things for other people that they can do for themselves. You also may find that you’re spending dangerously little time on activities that increase, rather than deplete, your energy. Once you see where your time is going, consider the following questions:

What are you doing that someone else could do? If a 13-year-old daughter knows her way around the Internet, she certainly can learn her way around the kitchen and master a few easy recipes. What are you doing that could be left undone for now? No family ever collapsed for want of perfectly organized closets.

How are you allowing other people to determine your schedule? Just because the phone rings doesn’t mean you have to answer it. Let an answering machine take calls so you can talk to chatty friends when it’s convenient for you.

Do you run errands during high-traffic times of the day? Whenever possible, shop when others don’t. (Tip: Shop for groceries on Tuesday mornings. The shelves have been re-stocked overnight so the food is fresher, and fewer people shop on Tuesdays.)

What’s on your schedule that’s not a top priority? If you’d rather take a photography class than serve as an officer in the Garden Club, give yourself permission to do so.

Ridding your life of time-robbers and reclaiming time for yourself not only will benefit you, but your family as well. After all, if you’re tired and resentful because you never have “me” time, the spillover takes its toll on everyone. But when you honor your own needs for personal time, you’re honoring others as well. After all, the way we treat ourselves affects the way we treat others.

Kathy Peel is frequent American Profile contributor.

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