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Ahhhh. Finally. I write. It’s been 13 days since my last blog. I’ve written a ton in my head since then. I just haven’t gotten it down on paper. It’s actually a bit of a problem and a distraction – words and sentences spinning around in my brain – looking for an outlet.
So here I am. And here’s the great irony – the focus of my next blog was going to be about the importance of Me Time. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, a shout out to all and an encouragement to take a moment – or an hour – or a day – or much more – just for you.
So here’s the ironic part. It took me 13 days – 13 DAYS! – to find a moment of Me Time to write this blog. Ironic and a bit pathetic, but such is life. It’s not like I didn’t have any down time or fun time in the last 10 days. As often happens in the holidays, I had a LOT of all kinds of time – family time, holiday time, friend time, celebration time, end of year work time – just no Me Time.
I realized the easiest way to define Me Time is to define what Me Time is not. Me Time is not things you do to make your family or friends happy. That can be amazing time, but it is not Me Time. It is not holiday celebration time, which while fun and festive, is also not Me Time. I did not find decorating our house, shopping for a pile of presents for our sweet and amazing children (but who need absolutely nothing), creating & folding (why did I buy tri-fold holiday cards??) & assembling 200 holiday cards Me Time. Nor is choosing holiday outfits, buying gifts for teachers and the other amazing people in our lives, or moving the elf. Nope. Not Me Time either. So worthwhile and as the house memory creator, so important to me, but not Me Time.
As much fun as this month can be – big holiday parties, fun reunions with friends, white elephant gift exchanges with book club, or other such things – are also not Me Time – even when one gets to wear sequins. And work stuff – even holiday parties where you get to dress up like the 80s and dance to Footloose (and get second place – for the second year running – ugh. Next year I’m choosing the obvious winning genre – rap) – is not Me Time.
All of these things happened in the last few weeks. Along with a funeral for my husband’s dear grandma. And a few sick kids, including when my youngest barfed – on top of my dog – for the most epic clean up job ever. And a huge work project that required every ounce of storytelling and creativity I could offer. And a remodel that has suddenly kicked into fast gear requiring cabinetry, lighting and plumbing research and decisions. And the occasional run I squeezed in – if lucky, alongside my dear friend.
So yeah. About that Me Time………
But tonight. Here I am. I, for real, could not be more thrilled to be sitting here in my favorite pajamas at 9pm. My littlest fast asleep and the house otherwise to myself. A nice glass of wine. A few candles lit. U2 playing. This – is my definition of Me Time.
Here’s why Me Time matters. It is you – taking just a moment – to acknowledge that you too – are deserving of spending your time however you want. Each of us deserves this gift. The gift of Me Time. I hope you find it often. If not, if you – like me – struggle to fit it in on a good day, I hope you seek it. And make it happen. It calms the soul. Brings peace and contentment. And you are so worth it.
So I’m going to enjoy my quiet house, glass of wine, beautiful candles, and good tunes. I may even keep writing and release those words from my mind. Because it’s Me Time – and it’s all mine.
The Redefining 
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