Time is an absolute bitch.

Time! 
What a bitch, amirite.

There’s never enough and it only seems to speed up with age.

A question I hear a lot about time is:
 “How can I make time for practices for peace and connection when…
         ...I’m so busy.”
        ...I don’t even have time for what I need to do, let alone what I want to do.”

or the crappiest of all...
“How can I make time for practices for peace and connection when I tell myself I’m not important enough to take time for.”


While we can't ignore that our physical existence has an expiration date, I’ve found that my perception of time has changed wildly, from feeling anxious to expansive.

In part this is due to the wonderful spell that is cast while out in nature, making time feel elastic. Moments spent in my senses and fully embodying the present moment stretch into lifetimes. 

It’s super important to remember that practices that help us connect with ourselves and the Earth and decrease our stress don’t need to take hours to be effective!

For example, I schedule time in the morning for a 10-minute gratitude ritual in my garden, and then take one or two other brief nature breaks around lunchtime time and late afternoon. 

My expansive view is also due to mindset shifts that affect how I choose to spend my limited time. Little encouraging pep talks reminding me of my value and that making healthy choices for myself has ripple effects that benefit my relationships. 
​
Below are my personally-tested mantras to help you reclaim time to fill your cup by helping you overcome every “oh, but i couldn't possibly.”

MANTRA 1:
MY WORTH IS NOT TIED TO MY ACTIONS. 

Fully accept the fact that your worth has nothing to do with your accomplishments.

YOU are a sacred human being who’s value resides in being. 
Not doing.

You are—therefore you are worthy. 
You are important enough to make time for.
Seriously, don’t argue with me on this one.



MANTRA 2:
I WILL GET DONE WHAT I GET DONE.

Surrender to the inevitable—you will never get everything done.  
You will go to bed each night, end each week, and close out each year with things unchecked.


This may sound harsh, but as soon as I accepted the reality that one day I will die with things on my list, I felt a huge relief.



MANTRA 3:
I’M A MORE [ATTRIBUTE] [IDENTITY] WHEN I TAKE TIME FOR MYSELF.

I’m a more patient mother when I take time for myself.
I’m a more productive business owner when I take time for myself. 
I know on more than one occasion you’ve told yourself, “I’ll take time for myself once I complete [insert one million tasks].”

Reality check, no you won’t.

I know you think that.
You may even believe that.

But it’s crap.
Because those tasks will take twice as long as you thought, then you have to make dinner or some other thing that doesn't fill your cup and before you know it, it’s bedtime and you’re promising that you’ll “do it tomorrow.”

However, starting your day with connection and/or mindfulness practices with additional sprinklings of 10-minute nature breaks throughout the day, makes you MORE productive and efficient.

Once more for the people in the back. 
You save time and energy when you take time for yourself. 

Write these mantras on sticky notes, put them around the house, on your computer, and on the back of your phone…  then go take time for yourself!

Do you have mantras around time that have worked for you?
Join the Facebook group and share them! 


Photo by Aron Visuals on Unsplash