"I've got to run.""I don't have time for myself."
These are complaints we repeat several times a day. We have reached the point where we feel guilty if we stop our daily activities to take care of ourselves. But if we neglect our physical and mental health, how can we take care of our children, spouses, or older parents?
We are so used to being a busy bee all day, twenty-four seven, that we can't accept any different concept without feeling guilty. If something in our to-do list goes undone, the world would fall apart. As a result we trudge through rush, worry and stress.
Stress may slowly disappear if we learn to prioritize and say no to things that can wait. Give ourselves personal time to relax, to read for fun, chat with friends or play with the kids,...
Are you too busy? How can you make time for yourself?
My heroine Olivia never had time for herself, until Luc taught her that life had to be enjoyed.
NO MORE LIES $0.99
http://www.amazon.com/No-More-Lies-ebook/dp/B005UJ2YKK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1318816259&sr=1-1
Successful physician and loving mother, Olivia Crane fiercely believes youthful mistakes should be kept buried. Dr. Luc George, the French psychiatrist, she loved ten years ago, detests secrets. When Luc strolls back into her life, Olivia welcomes her second chance. But on her own terms. The past forgotten, no questions asked. As Luc tries to unravel her many secrets, he also threatens to shatter her carefully constructed world.
Can Luc help her conquer her inner fears or will he get burned by the past?
22 comments:
I think women are more prone to this than men. It's part of our desire to please. The bad part is we forget to please ourselves.
I used to feel writing was a selfish act on my part. I couldn't write until the house was clean, the laundry done and supper in the oven/crockpot. Was Calvin's coffee cup filled? Were the kids ok? Had I contacted all of my friends?
Finally, Calvin told me to put the writing first, that the world would not come to an end. We need to value ourselves more and feel our needs are just as important as others...including hte need to say, "No."
I'm always too busy at this or that and have to force myself to slow down once in a while and just enjoy what I have. Nice post, Mona.
Good luck with the book on Amazon, let us know how it does!
Great blog, we are all geared toward taking care of everyone, and we do neglect ourselves terribly.
I wish I had Vonnie's husband! LOL!
Vonnie, thank you for stopping by. I hope this means you're feeling better or you finally got the right medicine! You did your share for the kids, it's time to let them fly on their own. Enjoy Calvin and your writting.
Calisa, I'm like you. My todo list is filled hour by hour, day by day. Sometimes I want to scream: I want a few days just for myself.
Mary, I hope the price of $0.99 encourages readers to buy NO MORE LIES. It was an EPPIE Award Finalist and Best Contemporary romance at Readers Favorite.
Mona--I need to get this one when I order for my Kindle the next time.
Time. I honestly have plenty for myself. Retired, no one to take care of except dh, and while he's not "care free", he is easy. Over the last few years--since I began writing, I dropped out of a couple of things, and only attend anything else if I want to.
Friends often take up my time--especially since there are seven of us, and all "of a certain age," so something always happening--knee replacement, very ill husband, etc. So far, we've been lucky on that score.
Your heroine fits most of us during our child-rearing and working days. Of course, we were all very busy--that's what young people are supposed to be!
It's still difficult at times to put ourselves first--we're women, and we believe everything depends on us.
Good thoughts.
Mona,
Yes, I'm too busy, and at times overwhelmed, but thankfully, Joe is in school full time now and I have time to myself. Down time at work is also time for myself, so I can say for the most part, I've found balance.
Lol!!
Smiles
Steph
Yep! But I prefer that to being bored. ;-)
Hi Celia-- yes we're lucky to have easy-going husbands. Contrary to you, I always seem to be running and lacking time for all I want to accomplish. I should learn from you and relax a bit. Writing is my relaxing time.
Steph, you are an amazing person, a whirlwind of energy. And probably very well organized too. You remind me of myself twenty years ago when I managed so many activities at once, and I enjoyed them all.
Hi Mona,
Yes I'm too busy and I'd like to say I didn't cause the trouble, but I did. It never seems like a lot to say, yes I can do that one thing, but then the one thing turns into two or three and pretty soon you're drowning in good deeds or work. I'm working on being nicer to myself and I think this afternoon will be just for relaxation! Enjoyed your post! Maggie
Hi Loraine, overbusy or bored? With our writing, blogs, and loops, I don't think we can ever be bored.
Oh Maggie you definitely need to cool it off and be nicer to yourself.
LOL:) I've been so deep into my editing cave I've neglected my blogmates:) Congrats on your latest release and the pics of the Danube were BEAUTIFUL! I'd love to hear the 'egg' story...has anyone researched it?
And yes, I've gotten better at saying 'no' when people ask me to do things. In the beginning a few always tacked on 'this will give you something to do all day'...as if I didn't have ENOUGH!
Argh. I'm so busy I don't know what to do with myself if I stop. I've given up trying to do everything, but I'm still running running running... Fortunately, I enjoy most of what I do, but lately I've been trying to take more time to read.
Hi Molly, good to see you again. You sure were busy.
Yeah Barbara, for making time for reading. I can read only when away from home and my computer.
I am also retired, but I tutor as many hours as I can and I edit for friends and clients. Somehow I manage to stay busy. As soon as I think I have a few days to just write, someone needs something that no one else can do. (according to the person in need.)
You're right, Mona. We're all busy. I used to be busier, but there was that day when I learned, life is short. That was the day, my wants moved to the top of my list. Not saying it's all about me now, but it's close. My family and friends still get my time, but they are important, after all. The rest? Hey, a few dust bunnies aren't going to hurt anyone. It helps to have a good man in your life, but ultimately, a woman needs to take care of herself, feeding those things that feed her soul. Today, I choose where I spend my time, and while my stress level hasn't quite flat lined, it's no longer on life support.
Mama Mary, you are indispensable. If you have days without anything to do let me know. I'll keep you busy. hehehe!
Hi Mackenzie, nice having you here. It's interesting to hear about different opinions from different people. When I lost my Mom and realized that life is too short to be wasted I moved in the opposite direction and decided to give more time to my DH, children and grandchildren, and not let my writing swallow my life.
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