No one has time for anything, which is funny, because everyone has the same amount of time in a day.
24 hours.
That’s what we’ve got to live the depth and width of our lives.
I intend to do it.
But it’s work. It’s not like it comes naturally.
Me naturally = frazzled mess.
I make specific choices so that I don’t stress myself out in the process of life. And that means making a conscious effort to create time in my schedule for the things that are most important to me. I’m not busy–I’m not busier than anyone else. I’m making choices about who and what get my best efforts and attention.
I make time for sleep – my parents had a rule (it may have started with the arrival of their beautiful first-born daughter) that sleep was sacred. If one needed a nap, the other got out of the way. I’m not a napper, but I will never be the person who loves staying up till 3:00 a.m. Sleep is sacred. I live by that rule.
I make time for myself – This one didn’t really seem necessary until a couple years ago. It’s not that I do anything huge for myself, it’s just that I recognize that sometimes the calendar must be cleared for an afternoon of Gossip Girl bingeing.
I make time for food – Whether it’s grocery shopping at one of four major chains, one farmers’ market, and two local markets, or setting time aside to cook homemade meals, it’s important to me, so I do it.
That’s it. Those are my three priorities. That’s what comes first. When I’m on a roll with these things, the other stuff tends to fall into place–relationships, exercise, my work life. But if just one of those three things is off-balance, I’m not myself.
a glass of milk 
Wonderful thoughts!
I’m currently working on the “me time” aspect. I’ve realized that self-care is vital. Sometimes I just want to lay down, watch tv/browse Pinterest–errands, cleaning and such can wait. It is OK. The world will not end. This is a concept that was difficult for me to accept at first but I’m in a much better place by doing so.
Yes! It IS okay. 🙂
Excellent priorities! Grandma glass-of-milk used to say, “You can’t do anything without sleep.” She pleasantly got up at 5 a.m. one Christmas morning to be with her grandchildren, and then, when they had finished opening their loot, she said, “OK, good-bye, I’m going back to sleep”–and she did! I’m starting to enjoy cooking when I have the time and the inclination. I have about 5 recipes that turn out really well every time and I’ve enjoyed tweaking them with added ingredients and other things. Time for myself? Omg, retirement is absolute heaven. ♡♡♡