A quick note before we begin: I am by no means a professional in self-help practices nor do I consider myself an expert in mindfulness. Heck, I’m writing this column during my “me time” in between doing my laundry, mentally organizing tomorrow’s agenda and trying to remember the date of my next exam. That aside, I’m going to write this as a message to myself — and anyone else who might need this reminder — about the importance of carving out space and time for oneself each week.
First things first, you might ask yourself, “Why is this ‘me time’ stuff important at all? Isn’t that what sleep is for?” On my busier weeks, the thought certainly crosses my mind; I want to finish all my work and surround myself with friends and activities and crash whenever the exhaustion hits. But even for a slight extrovert like myself, I’ve begun to recognize how being alone can help recharge and rejuvenate me.
When we spend time alone, we allow ourselves to collect our thoughts from throughout the day and then either act on them or release them — it’s like taking mental breaths. I’ve noticed how even taking a 10-minute break at some point during the day, just to make to-do lists, read the news or jot something down in my journal, keeps me more focused later on. When I feel particularly stressed in the midst of exams and deadlines, these breaks become even more impactful. I have found taking care of my mental health in turn nurtures my productive and creative sides.
Small breaks can be crucial, but I think it’s even more important to set aside a little more time than we think we need each day to recollect. There are so many ways to give yourself some time and space that fits within the busy bustle of your day: a 15-minute power nap and some light reading, a brisk jog before a nighttime meeting or a solitary grocery-shopping excursion before the hustle of the week begins. OK, so the groceries thing could just be me, but I’ve found that a brief trip to Lucky’s Market after my last class of the day completely brightens my day, even if all I buy is a loaf of bread and eggs.
Both shorter and longer breathers during your week can be a time to foster your artistic or musical passions. You can finally crack open that book you’ve been meaning to get to all semester or even just watch an episode of your favorite show on Netflix. Do what makes you feel happy and relaxed, and try not to let your obligations weigh heavy in the process. Real-life duties are important, yes, but if you don’t feel 100 percent, it might be worth setting aside a spare 10 to 20 minutes for yourself (and yourself only).
On the more traditional side of mindfulness, I’ve enjoyed different meditation apps on my smartphone that can help guide your meditative practice or simply give you a great way to zone out for a few minutes. One of my favorites, called Calm, provides different recorded guided meditations that can be as short as a couple minutes. Apps like Calm make it easier for even an over-thinker like me to release anxieties and stressors, and they’ve even helped me fall asleep through nighttime meditations.
On the whole, we can’t do well if we don’t feel well. There are times when perhaps we ought to power through our obligations and sleep later, yes, but we shouldn’t forget we must also prioritize ourselves. At the end of the day, we’re all just human beings struggling to make deadlines while remembering to floss. We’re people with passions, interests, loves, responsibilities and struggles. Why not try to create even just a little bubble of “me time” each week for what keeps us going: our bodies and ourselves?
Mia Gettenberg is a UF criminology and philosophy senior. Her column appears on Mondays.
