Making Time
Making Time
In today’s world, it seems as if we all run from 6am to midnight! We work all day, run errands, and go from one activity to the next. We go from dance lessons (or softball practice!) to theatre practice, squeeze in grocery shopping and laundry and oh yeah, did we eat dinner yet? Add in the bills to pay, errands to run and who knows what else! Sometimes it amazes me we even have time to sleep!
We are all busy, but we all need time to breathe! We need time to refresh our souls and time to be still and quiet. Easier said than done right?! How do you do that? How do you find time during your day or during your week to just take time for you? Time to reconnect with God, time to calm your soul and calm your mind. I know it's tough but we must make the time for our mental and physical health. We need the down time to re-set and feel the calmness.
I’m sure everyone has their own tips and tricks and their own ways that they refresh their soul. For me, music is one of those ways. Most days you will find me in my office working on new designs, organizing the office for upcoming shows, printing shirts, packing orders, writing, or one of the other million things that needs to be done! But, no matter what I am working on, I will almost always have my headphones on. Music refreshes my soul! One of the best gifts my husband ever gave was a pair of Bluetooth, noise cancelling headphones! It is my way to calm my mind. I find that I connect to Christ through music, but I can also find new energy in music. Sometimes I will stop what I am going and just listen. Sometimes you will find me dancing around the office as I pack orders. New ideas come to me through music. I also tend to get lost in music which can be good and bad! My husband and I both work from home and every so often (okay, multiple times a week) he comes into my office and gives me “the look” because I am singing away while he is trying to work! I am not a horrible singer, but there is a reason I do not sing in our praise band at church!
Another way that I refresh my soul is through cooking! One of my favorite places in my house is my kitchen! If I’m having a frustrating day or I need a break, I will put music on in my kitchen and cook! I love making salsas, grilling or creating a wonderful dinner for my family to enjoy. I also love this one because it has two of my favorites involved; music and cooking!
How do you refresh your soul? Do you go for a long walk? Read your favorite bible verses? Get lost in the pages of a coloring book? Whatever it is, finding your own special way to refresh your soul is important. With the crazy, busy, hectic lives that we all lead our souls needs a break. These can be simple things like going for a walk or they be projects that give you a break each day. A project that means something to you and that you look forward to working on each day/week. Find what works for you and make it a part of your routine.
Also remember that your family needs to refresh. Your children and your spouse need that time as well. We try very hard to take time together as a family. Away from technology and the stress of the day. Usually, on a Satuday or Sunday, we take a little time and work on a puzzle. We talk about the week, anything we need may need help with, and just talk to each other!! We laugh a lot, play music (surprise, surprise!) and just enjoy each other.
Everyone needs time for their soul to rest and refresh.
Here are some simple ideas to start with! Some things are quick and easy and others can be made into projects.
- Spend time with friends
- Go for a long walk
- Volunteer in your community/give back to others
- Try a new restaurant or coffee shop
- Look through an old photo album
- Write in a journal
- Draw/Color
- Read a good book
- Call an old friend
- Take a power nap (these are the best on rainy afternoons)
- De-clutter a room in your house
- Yoga
- Create a vision board
- Go to your favorite bookstore
- Get a massage
- Create a new playlist
- Decorate a room
- Learn a new skill (sign language, sewing, etc)
- Exercise
- Make a space JUST FOR YOU!
I hope you and your family make the time to refresh and calm your heart and minds. Time to rest and time to laugh! Time to enjoy this amazing, crazy, beautiful life that we have been given!
-Blessings,
Andrea
"You will find your true self in times of silence and in times of calm but only if you make the time to listen." Andrea Whitley