Quick and Dirty: Find a Moment of Peace for Yourself
It’s that time of year when the clock seems to run faster, minutes are more precious, and every day is packed with “gotta get done” items. You can run with it or feed off of it, but here’s my two cents: rebel. Put on your best James Dean face and run like hell the other way.
If you can’t seem to find time for self-indulgence, take the quick and dirty approach to peacefulness:
Drive slowly on your way home. Let your work day ebb away and give yourself a few minutes to enjoy the controlled comfort of your commute. In fact, focus entirely on your driving. It provides a fantastic way to transition and clear your mind. If you take mass transit, sit back and people watch or let a novel take you away.
Make your shower your sanctuary. Those few minutes are all yours (presumably), so make the most of it. Take a few extra deep breaths, splurge a bit on some good-smelling soap, and put on some of your favorite music (I used to listen to “Photograph” on endless repeat in the shower. For months.)
Lock yourself in the bathroom for five minutes. No, it’s not glamorous. And it doesn’t smell particularly wonderful. But it’s private, there’s a seat of some kind, and there’s usually a lock on the door. I don’t care if you have to convince your family that you have severe IBS, if you’ve got no other place of privacy, go for it.
Schedule a time to journal. Late night or early morning, it doesn’t matter. One of the big benefits of journalling is that it provides a moment in the day to focus on your inner mental state (read: not your appearance, other people’s appearances, or their problems). Tell everyone you can’t be disturbted and close the door behind you for a few minutes. Then get out your pen and get to work!
Lose yourself at mealtime. Everyone’s chewing, so there’s no pressure to talk. (If the meal’s really good, that is.) Place your focus on the flavors and textures as you munch your way to a mellow state. It’s not Calgon, but it’s not half bad.
What are some easy ways to snag a few minutes of relaxation? And are a few minutes enough for you?
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This post has 22 comments
November 21st, 2008
I’m not sure how well this fits in with the “Simple” theme, but I like to “rent myself a comfy seat” at a coffee shop once a week. The way I see it, the price of a coffee buys me as much time as I want or need to be alone with my thoughts in that nice cozy chair. In the winter, there is a nice fire going in the hearth. I can take my book or my computer and catch up on my reading.
Often, I’ll rent my chair for half an hour in a gap between clients. It is a perfect way to recharge my battery with some “me” time.
Cheers,
Adam
Adam Steers last blog post..What are those Clubbell® Things?
November 21st, 2008
This morning started with meditation for me – something new I’ve recently started to do. I’m up early, before the rest of the house gets going – and it’s just a great time to quiet my soul and really “feel”. And be. I can’t say enough how grounding this can be. I’m finding it’s just a great way to start my days off right.
And, tonight on the way home – I’ll take a different route, the “back roads”. The three extra minutes will be all worth it – thank you Sara!
November 21st, 2008
Those are good ideas that I’ve never thought of, except for the bathroom one. I also like Adam’s renting a cozy place idea and Lance’s ideas too.
For myself, when I first get home from work, if I need a break, I’ll go straight to the bedroom, close the door, and lie down for 15-30 minutes. Then I’m recharged. However, once I didn’t wake up until the next morning!
Dots last blog post..One Heartbreaking Day
November 21st, 2008
I like to sit out in my barn when all my goatie girls are laying down and cudding. I settle down into a soft bit of straw and just listen to them — when they are pregnant, some of them will “hum” as they chew, and it’s quite relaxing and peaceful.
When we get the insane snowstorms that we do here, I deliberately do NOT think about how much work it means to me (shoveling, carrying water and feed through snowdrifts) but I sit in front of my big window by the woodstove and watch each flake come down. It’s somewhat hypnotic.
farmwifes last blog post..Redneck Playstation
November 21st, 2008
A few minutes are definitely enough, but if you can manage to slow down EVERYTHING – slow down your inner pace so to speak – that’s even more effective.
Vered – MomGrinds last blog post..Oh No She Di’int!
November 21st, 2008
I do two things that guarantee me time alone. 1)I walk the dogs a few times each day. 2) And after I drop the kids off at school, most days I pull into a park and read and journal for 30 minutes before heading to work. I don’t think I could live without quiet time.
Vals last blog post..Thanksgiving 26-35
November 21st, 2008
Great ideas.
I like going to bed a little bit earlier and just lying awake and thinking about my day. It’s a nice quiet time.
And nothing beats playing with my parents cat when I get the chance to see her- even just sitting there with her in my lap is so relaxing and peaceful!
Sagans last blog post..Binging
November 21st, 2008
I can totally understand the comment about the cat. I borrow my inlaws dog and her and I just watch a movie and hang out on the couch. She will sit with me for hours and is happy as a clam.
The other day, I watched my coworker’s grandson while she was doing a storytime at the library where I work. He needed a nap and so I rocked him to sleep in my office and 30 minutes later or so, I realized it was the most relaxed I’d been all week. Awesome!
November 21st, 2008
Clearing up my kids’ clutter is what I like. (Not the exhausting clean-up
). It takes little time and makes me feel wonderfully refreshed.
And yes, I LOVE the shower. And I will shower just a little longer at the gym – like stealing those 5 extra minutes from my own life!
And then, sometimes I will let the kids continue to nap in the car, pick up a drive thro chai and enjoy reading in the parking lot
November 21st, 2008
A couple of places to gather a moment of peace:
1. The hot tub. Something about soaking in hot swirling water is so peaceful.
2. In my fav chair with a kitty on my lap. Hard to be stressed while petting a happy purring cat.
3. When I can get away, a few moments by the beach are wonderful, especially in the aftermath of a winter storm.
November 21st, 2008
A couple of places to gather a moment of peace:
1. The hot tub. Something about soaking in hot swirling water is so peaceful.
2. In my fav chair with a cat on my lap. Hard to be stressed while petting a happy purring kitty.
3. When I can get away, a few moments by the beach are wonderful, especially in the aftermath of a winter storm.
November 21st, 2008
I like the bathroom idea. I spent the last six months of 1999 in a tiny conference room, six days a week, all day and sometimes late into the night, with twelve other people. We were negotiating a collective bargaining agreement, and we were constantly arguing with the other side (the pilots’ union). A few times a day I would lock myself into the bathroom just to get away from it all. I don’t know what they thought I was doing in there, and I don’t care. Those precious moments of solitude kept me sane.
Marelisas last blog post..Six Tips to Make Ideas Happen
November 22nd, 2008
I try to get away during my work day to take a walk in the neighborhood. I’m only able to do about 30 minutes or so but that time is mine. I also try to get to the Tuesday and Thursday evening farmers markets after work year round to shop, grab a cup of coffee or tea, people watch, have a snack, talk to strangers before heading home.
Carlas last blog post..Holiday Gift Ideas | Not Buying it
November 22nd, 2008
I like setting the alarm a few minutes earlier and letting the cats in the room. There’s just something about a cat purring beside you that’s so relaxing!
Susys last blog post..Giving Back this Holiday Season: Show them We Care
November 23rd, 2008
I admit it, I was intrigued by the teaser title: “quick and dirty peacefulness”!
All great tips that you present, most of them are ones I really can apply to my life. Rushing through the day is so easy to do, I like reading posts like this that remind me to sloooooow down!
Have a great week.
Rosss last blog post..Q&A with Leo Babauta of Zen Habits: Success
November 23rd, 2008
I like to start off my day similar to Lance by getting up early and not rushing around at the very start of the day. It’s a nice way to slowly get my motor running and collect my thoughts for the day. It’s funny what you say about the bathroom and the shower as your sanctuary. It’s so true since if you can’t find it there then where?
November 23rd, 2008
I crochet. It gives me a sense of peace and the idea that I’m doing something good for someone else.
November 23rd, 2008
At home, it’s getting up early and snuggling in my favorite comfy chair with a purring kitty on my lap. No better way to meditate – your breathing syncs with the purr rhythm.
At work we have a gazebo that overlooks a pond. Ok, so it’s a retention pond, but it has lily pads, birds and turtles. The alligator that used to be there disappeared. No one knows what happened to him. I live in Florida, so I go outside to the gazebo for lunch nearly every day. I’m amazed that few people use this sanctuary. Most often, this is the best part of my day.
kathys last blog post..Your Inner Child’s Connection to Flow
November 24th, 2008
I’m a stay at home mom and so finding time to relax is sometimes very tough to do. The one thing I do almost daily though, is get something to drink, be it green tea or hot chocolate and sit at our island in the kitchen and read the paper. It seems to be just what I need when I’m feeling overwhelmed with the daily tasks of home!!
Debs last blog post..A Week of Thankfulness
November 24th, 2008
Moving to Montana from the left coast.. .a work in progress… … less is more
gp
November 24th, 2008
Sounds like peacefulness is alive and well here! I totally get the snuggle time with the kitties (or, well, puppies).
I think some running water would also be a nice touch–the lily pond is another appealing idea!
December 31st, 2008
All great ideas –
I like to wake up early when the weather’s nice and have a cup of coffee out on my front porch swing, I live in a rural area – it’s soothign to just sit and appreciate the beauty right there for the taking.
also
- reading each ngiht with the cat on my lap
- listening to classical music
- praying (or meditating)
- morning walk
- long drive home – I choose classical music (Tim Janis)to listen to, instead of the radio
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