Saturday, January 19, 2013

Focus on life: Week 3 [Time for yourself]

This week Sally decided to do something for all of us: the theme is 'take time for yourself'.

Now this is an alien notion for many people - especially women, especially mothers or any type of caregivers. We tend to take care of others before we take care of ourselves. By watching my mom and her friends I learned (early on in life) one needs to take care of herself too! Putting work first will not raise you a statue, that's for sure - and in the capitalist society that's even more true. Putting family first, while commendable (and in my opinion a better option) still leaves room for improvement.

The key issue in the 'time for yourself' is the actual 'time': everybody wants something from you at any point of your waking point (and sometimes when you sleep too!). I get that magic time right before bedtime, when everybody is asleep. Since it's usually late at night (or early in the morning, depends on how you put it) - I don't have many choices on activities... so...

Focus on life, Week 3: Time for yourself :: All Pretty Things

I read :) a cacophony of subjects - mostly jewelry related lately...

I hope you make a bit of time for yourself too: to recharge, to relax, to feel good.

If you'd like to see what other people are doing in their 'me' time - please stop by Sally's post - everybody is linked at the bottom of her article.


25 comments:

  1. i think we're quite a bookish lot - they feature alot in this week's challenge :)
    i can't stay awake past 10pm, so i'm a morning gal - up at 5am this morning, enjoying the silence and reading, reading, reading...
    lovely photo btw!
    have a great week!
    [no. 13 this week]

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  2. My comment here is almost a repeat of the comments I have left on other participant's who chose reading as their "me time"...I lost this art somewhere down the line and I must get it back! I miss it...but I did not know how much until today!

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  3. me too! I had to get another book shelf to house all my bead books - LOL ... about 'tea time' my youngest has pushed her way into my ritual too, so has started making her own little one-cup pot :) But I'm happy to share my time with her

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  4. One of the things my children did not want to do with me when they were young was go to a bookstore. They knew we'd be there for a LONG time. I love books and could browse the store 'forever'. I always like to read before bed each night too.

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  5. I think I burned out reading since I did SO much in my younger days, Alicia. These days I am still enamored of the blogging world, so if I find myself unable to sleep (happens more often as we age LOL), I sneak into my craft room and get online. Thank goodness that is also a quiet pastime!

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  6. Books books and more books! I read so much I take it for granted!

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  7. What's not to love about a stack of inspiring books?! Beautiful and a perfect way to enjoy your time

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  8. Another wonderful stack of books. I love to page through beading books .. So many beautiful projects!

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  9. Hi Alicia! That's exactly where I was...Chapters. Good idea about the library! Our small-town library doesn't have the best selection of crafting books, but I hear ya about trying there before buying!

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  10. A tower of books is one of the most wonderful sights!!

    (I'm #40 this week)

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  11. Looking through my books is a favorite way for taking time for me. I can loose track of time while doing it!

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  12. I love it! Finally another night owl just like me!! So I'm not alone burning the midnight oil? Sometimes when I look out at night I see no other houselights on! And those beading books look so inviting...I usually pour through my beading magazines at night too. I feel like I've met a kindred soul. :-)

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  13. I love reading too, but ever since I started making jewelry all the books I read are about that subject. I really want to sit down and read a novel one of these days, but my mind tends to wander off.

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  14. Nice reads. I think we, as women, definitely need to take time for ourselves. I learned that some years ago and I'm getting better at it all the time. Enjoy and find your joy.

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  15. Books and tea, doesn't get any better. Loved all the thoughts in your post, they are spot on!

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  16. Hi Alicia,
    Books are a wonderful way to relax, be informed, or to escape into an other world of some kind, but lately reading just puts me to sleep. It does not matter what time of the day or night it is, it is just that relaxing to me. It's funny even reading a beading tutorial puts me to sleep LOL!
    Therese

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  17. So far I think reading has the best "me" time I have read through the blogs! I love all the different varieties of books I am seeing on the posts! Love the books you are reading and look inspiring (may need to go on a shopping spree now).

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  18. Alicia we have something in common. I try to read every night also.It's a good way to spend me time.

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  19. I am totally not a night person, so if I want to carve a little time for myself out of the edges of the day, it has to be early morning, which is much harder in winter.

    I really enjoyed seeing your stack of books. Lots of great titles!

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  20. Your collection of reading material is delightful!

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  21. I cannot resist a good jewelry making book. But I love books on other subjects even if I don't do what is inside. I always find a way to be inspired! Enjoy the day. Erin

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  22. A lovely stack of books and a great way to take time for yourself.

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  23. Cacophony-what a great word!!! Great stack of books. I love love love my books. They are in every room all around. And don't you agree that they just plain LOOK good too?

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  24. Love the stack of books - great photos and great wayy to take some time for you!!

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  25. Alicia! You and me were thinking alike for Week 3's prompt! I love to sit and read, it is such a great way to unwind! Lovely photo!

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Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I appreciate and love to read your comments!