Creating and using the time to help myself grow, leaves me fulfilled at the end of the day.
Music, pictures, information, it’s all at our fingertips. Have you ever asked yourself how you spend your spare moments?
Go on, ask yourself.
Checking emails, posting to Instagram, or Facebook and even Twitter? Oh, the big time sucker, Pintrest. All of these are big black holes of eating up time. Or maybe nothing, maybe you couldn’t think of anything.
I recently began asking myself this same question. Sometimes I haven’t come up with any answers, my mind is just blank, I don’t know what I do in my spare time. I mean, being a student and working two jobs is enough, who has extra time?
But, I had to think about it, I did and still do have extra time, and I often used it to respond to emails, no matter the time of day and on the weekends. I realized, I missed reading books, maybe catching up on my favorite TV show, or even just listening to some valuable information and music to help myself to grow.
Create boundaries, no responding or checking emails after 6 p.m., or over the weekend. If you need “me” time, whatever you fill that time with, be sure there’s no worrying during that “me” time.
Of course, if there’s an important email or call expected, waiting for something, keep an eye open.
My boyfriend and I have decided to fill our extra time, like driving in the car with listening to podcasts, information that we find interesting and from people we feel we can learn from.
Instead of listening to some of the music that fills our ears these days, with not always the best message being passed along, the podcasts serve as a way to fill driving time, when you can’t really physically do anything, you’re driving right? Just listen, and drive.
Music does have to have a place in my life, too long without it makes me feel like something is missing, so I’ve decided to choose music that is uplifting, keeps my spirits positive and stimulates my thinking.
Instead of working up until bed time, checking and sending emails, try to devote, at least 10 minutes to wind down from the day, not using your smart phone or TV. That way, the brain has time to calm down and relax. Maybe it’s a warm shower and picking up your favorite book you haven’t finished in a year, or two, or just sitting silently.
Because books and games are on smart phones, or tablets, try read an actual bound book, stay away of the iPad screen before bed. The light from tablets is known to suppress melatonin, the hormone that controls your sleep and wake patterns, or circadian rhythms, according to WebMD.com. It makes your brain think it’s day time.
End your day with a hot shower, a short workout and relaxing stretch, or if you like baking, bake something new.
Keep those boundaries for yourself, if you decided to set some. After all, we have a lifetime of growing and learning to do, never stop helping yourself grow.