TAKING TIME FOR YOURSELF!

This article is taken from Joan Celebi's website. Please visit it to learn more and make sure to enter the giveaway for her book "Balanced Living All Year" - Click here to enter! Hurry though....giveaway ends 2/16/10

Even though this references the New Year and yes, it is Mid-February...we think these tips still apply! Tell us how you take time for yourself in the comments section!

When There's Just NO Time for You: Three Key Tips
by Joan Celebi, Ed.M., CLCFounder, SpecialNeedsParentCoach.com

I received this same question from SIX different people today. I learned years ago as a teacher that if a few people are asking the same question, then there are many more who are also wondering the same thing -- thus today's article.

Today's question came by phone, email, and Facebook, from moms of children with special needs from different areas of the U.S. Each mom is struggling with the same challenge, and I'm sure we can all relate: HOW do you make time for yourself, with everything else that must be done every day? To quote one mom, "It feels like my whole life is just spent being "The Mom", like I'm not even a person."

I've definitely been there. And this is a question I often get from new Coaching Club members. When you're overwhelmed, it doesn't seem possible to find ANY time for your own needs and interests. But it is absolutely doable!

If you're thinking "Yeah but not for ME," I want to encourage you to try the tips below, which I shared with Facebook friends today. I've helped some UNBELIEVABLY overwhelmed special needs moms create manageable, balanced lives - and if they can do it, you can too!

And keep in mind: the more you take care of your own needs, the better able you'll be to keep on taking care of your children and family, as well as meet all the other obligations and expectations in your life. So when you take a small moment for yourself, you're doing it for yourself AND for others.

Here are the tips - and please join me on Facebook to continue the discussion!

Hi - this is a very good question! I know, it sounds impossible ... the key is in small moments. If not 15 minutes, then even five minutes of doing a little something just for you can make a big difference!

Another key to all of this is choosing which tips are the best ones for you to focus on right now. None of my clients do all of the strategies all of the time (nor do I!), but rather focus on a select few that are important at any given time.

Also, there's a system to all of this, which doesn't really come through in the quick daily tips I post. It applies life coaching principles to life as a mom of a child with special needs. It helps you get life under control and running smoothly -- so you can make time for things like taking care of you! I wrote it all up in my book, Overwhelmed No More, as a self-paced, step-by-step guide - might be a great way to start out the New Year as a gift to yourself! ;) Many moms with the same challenges swear by it.

For now though, especially during the holidays when things get particularly hectic, I would say if you can find a few minutes here and there to do little things for yourself, you'll definitely notice a difference.

For example a quick walk up and down the street, call a friend to say hi, read a short magazine article, have a cup of tea, do a bit of stretching, etc. - If you're musical or artistic, play one song, or draw one quick sketch in a little sketchbook ... Anything you enjoy that you can fit in during small bits of time during the day...

Hope this helps - I definitely know how hard it is, especially with the holidays upon us. There's so much more I could say - but I don't want to keep going on and on! Try this for a while and let me know how it goes!

Warmly,
Joan

So if finding time for you has been impossible lately, give these ideas a try! This would make a great New Year's Resolution, as one Facebook friend told us she was doing. In a couple of weeks, we'll talk more about making New Year's Resolutions that really work. Until then, have a wonderful holiday - and don't forget to take a little time out here and there!