“Free Time” Equals “Me Time”

This past week, my kids were thrilled when they woke up to the news that school had been cancelled because of the weather. Glancing out the window at the swirling snowfall, they shouted exuberantly, “Snow day!” They raced downstairs and eagerly ate breakfast while excitedly chatting about the day’s endless possibilities. After watching some TV, they joyfully lounged around the house in their pajamas before heading outside to play in the freshly fallen snow. They were thrilled to have a day to do whatever they wanted. As I watched them relishing in their unexpected freedom, it reminded me of something a friend had said several months ago. We were talking about the busyness of our lives when she told me about something she had done a few weeks before. It was called a “free day.” She explained that a “free day” was a day where you could do anything you wanted to do – no tasks, no work, no worries – just a day for yourself. You didn’t have to accomplish anything. Hearing her talk about it, I thought the idea sounded great, but I couldn’t imagine fitting it into my schedule. It was hard enough trying to find the time to meditate each morning, much less spend an entire day doing whatever I wanted. There were always too many things I needed to do, and although it sounded like a good idea, devoting an entire day to myself just didn’t seem possible.

But, watching my children’s excitement on this unexpected snow day helped me realize the tremendous benefits a “free day” can provide. Together, they laughed and joked – everything was about having fun. Neither of them worried about the tasks they needed to accomplish nor the schoolwork that had to be completed. They enjoyed the simple pleasures of the day and the time they had been given. I loved seeing them so relaxed and carefree. It was a memorable day. But what I didn’t expect was the following day when they returned to school. Both of them were refreshed and well-prepared to tackle the tasks at hand. The day off had given them an energy boost and lifted their spirits. They were ready for anything.

We spend a great deal of time throughout our lives working, completing tasks, running errands, and making meals. It’s easy to get caught up in the monotony of it all. Many of us have tight schedules and a “to-do” list that is always a mile long. Busyness consumes our lives, but we don’t want to stop because if we do, we might not be able to keep going. We are exhausted and stressed. Any beauty around us, like stunning sunsets or a picturesque landscape, goes completely unnoticed. Our “tunnel vision” gives us a very limited view.    

So, what if we changed things up a bit? What if we took a little “free time” each week to do something that we wanted to do rather than what we had to do? Maybe we could take a walk on the beach or read that mystery novel we’ve been dying to start. We could take the whole day off and do whatever we wanted. But if that’s not possible, perhaps we could take a few hours every week to do something for ourselves. Even in that short time, the results could be amazing. Suddenly, we might find ourselves feeling refreshed and relaxed rather than stressed. We might learn to laugh more and enjoy life’s simple pleasures. Our heavy load might feel just a little lighter. Yet, in order for this to happen, we must release the guilt. Taking time for ourselves is not something we should feel guilty about. All those tasks you think you should be accomplishing can wait. They aren’t going anywhere. And once we spend time taking care of ourselves, we can approach these tasks with renewed energy and focus. “Free time” equals “me time,” and when we take good care of ourselves, it enables us to handle our lives a little bit better.

This week, take some “free time” for yourself. Light some candles, take a bath, read a book, go to a movie – do whatever your heart longs to do. Release the guilt and embrace the love and attention you are finally giving yourself. Laugh, create, connect – enjoy whatever it is you are doing. Discover how free you feel, and relish in life’s simple pleasures. Then when you are back to your busy schedule, you will feel renewed and refreshed, able to tackle whatever lies ahead. Whether it’s a “snow day” or a “free day,” relax and have some fun. See the difference taking time for yourself can make, and schedule it as often as you can.