1. IN MY OWN SWEET TIME: Making Time For Ourselves

6. MAKING CHOICES q Choose what you WANT to do q set priorities - self, family, work. q Choose what you CAN do q You can do everything you want, just not at the same time q PHASES

8. The Five Balls q The Work Ball q The Home and Family Ball q The Relationships Ball q The Friends Ball q The Self Care Ball

9. The SELF CARE Ball

10. SOLO TIME q Take time for yourself. Find a space where you do not have to be responsible for anyone or anything. q Ask for solitude; offer to partner q “Investment”

11. When I was young, I loved to…

12. If I had more time, I would …

13. What’s stopping you from doing that now?

14. What prevents me from doing what I would love to do is…

15. Set your goals Or you spend your time meeting other people’s goals!

16. It’s not “How busy are you? It’s “What are you busy doing?”

17. Reasons why women do not set goals q Not convinced of the value of setting a goal for themselves q Too busy to think of one q Setting a goal implies a firm commitment q Fear of failure in reaching a goal q Are in a relationship, and are too busy helping partner with his goals q Fear of success, fear jealousy

18. Give yourself permission to take a break. Let go of the guilt – 3 steps. Investment.

19. Let’s do nothing. How hard is this to do?

20. Why is it so hard to do nothing? q Empty time is associated with negative connotations – loss, need, desolation, q Being active and busy has Value, Virtue, Significance q Being busy is a defense – against grief, rage, anxiety, guilt, regret, sadness q -We don’t know what to do

21. How to Make Time q Prioritizing – set this as a goal for yourself q Protecting – don’t try to convince others you need to do it. Just say you are “unavailable, booked, have other plans…” q Promise Keeping – write it down like a patient appointment. Follow through

22. Ways To Find More Time q Delegate tasks and responsibilities q Group similar tasks eg. phone calls q Use technology, but limit it q Minimize time watching TV q Minimize interruptions; close your door q Get up 15-30 minutes earlier q Buy time – clean, cook, paint, gardening

23. “Someday” is not an eighth day of the week.

24. “Me” Time What would I do with: q 5-10 minutes q 1 hour q 2 hours q Half-day q Full Day

25. With less than 30 minutes, I could…

26. q Stop whatever I am doing. Breathe. Stretch q Mindful meditation q Read a magazine q Listen to my favorite song q Laugh out loud q Call a friend q Write in my journal q Drink more water. Go for a pee

27. With an hour, I could…

28. q Read a book q Take a walk q Play music q Go to Starbucks q Practice yoga q Sleep

29. With a free half-day, I could…

30. q Exercise q Go to a spa q Play hooky. q Visit a museum q Browse around a bookstore q Fly a kite q Skinny dip

31. With a whole day free, I could…

32. q Ski q Go for a hike q Try out a new recipe q Go for a drive in the country q Go sailing q Not be available, and not check my email or voice mail

33. Deal with your Guilt Rule to follow