The Time We Get to Ourselves

Aside from quality time we spend with loved ones, the time we get to ourselves is possibly the most precious to us. It’s how we know how to remain sane in a crazy world. It’s how we recharge – body, soul and spirit. We’re talking about the first five minutes after you wake up, however long it takes for you to fall asleep, the breaks you strive for in the middle of a work day, the getaway spots you visit on a Saturday morning to read your favorite book or the walks/drives you take at night in your neighborhood simply to clear your mind.

It all means something because it allows us the room to simply ‘be’ and not ‘do’. When you’re all alone, everyone’s expectations seem not to ring loud in your head at that moment. You can breathe. You can stare at a wall if you want to. You can process any relationship drama that is haunting you. You can get some peace and make resolute, confident decisions.

It’s the ideal way to stay original and connected to ourselves throughout the journey. No wonder we begin to panic internally a little when we have to be ‘on’ – so to say – for days at a time. There has to be moments when we make the conscious decision to unwind, and simply sit with ourselves.

With that said, there are times when we also want to avoid the time we get to ourselves. We’ve all probably been there before so it’s good to talk about it. If you’re scared to deal head-on with the issues eating away at your soul, you either find yourself always wanting to be around people or seeking the ultimate distraction when you are alone. While it is good to have moments that help you detach a bit from drama so you can think clearly, it could also turn into an unhealthy habit of constant disconnection.

The healthy solution tends to be the balance in between the extremes, where you cherish and make the most of the time you get to yourself through connection. This time, we’re referring to connection with the self and the Creator – something that is worth the highest priority in our lives. Most of us yearn to have that but we don’t make time for it. I heard someone say, “If you really care about something, you will find a way to make time for it.” Isn’t that true? Maybe we are simply blind to the value of true connection, and the effect it can have on our lives. Maybe as we enter into this winter season, we can take small steps and venture toward this path to fulfillment.