Me Time
Many months ago, when I was in the middle of a very stressful situation, I set up a half hour of “me” time. I usually work through lunch, but on Fridays, I would shut off the computer for a half hour, eat really good chocolate, drink tea, and re-watch a television show. That last part was important because I wanted the half hour to be pure enjoyment, so I would only re-watch things I enjoyed and not take chances with anything new.
Even after the situation ended, I kept up the ritual. It was a little thing to look forward to each week.
But with the kids home for summer, I needed to confess that (1) we had a hidden stash of really good chocolate in the house, (2) I took a half hour in the middle of the day to watch television, and (3) did I mention that the really good chocolate was in an undisclosed space that they would never be able to find or access?
They kind of couldn’t get over the chocolate thing. We generally share everything in the house. “Does Dad know?” they asked. Dad buys it for me. We go to the ex-pat stores and buy really good chocolate for my ritual.
I invited the twins to join me in “me” time, making it “us” time because it is delightful to take a break in the middle of the day and watch Good Omens for a half hour. (They didn’t love the whole stopping the episode in the middle and pointed out that it must take me months to finish a television season. It does.)
If you are also having a stressful time, schedule a weekly ritual. Put it on the calendar as a meeting. Hold it sacred. Buy good chocolate and tea.
2 comments
Mel, I really, really, really love this ritual! I love its pure hedonism most of all–it’s not anything that could fall into the “it’s good for you me time” –like walking or reading. Sit, eat choc, watch a show. This is brilliant.
“Does Dad know?” Hahaha. I love this so much, pretty much everything about it. It reminds me of when a classmate texted me some questions about school but I told her I was watching my show and I’d reply in an hour. She thought it was hilarious that I stopped everything in the middle of the day to watch a tv show at 1:00. It’s a great idea!!