Many of us are currently spending more solo time than usual as we continue to shelter-in-place. How we utilize our “me” time can be anywhere from relaxed and quiet to active with a lot of sound. To make our “me” time nourishing and meaningful, it’s important to be mindful of how we feel emotionally. People can find themselves feeling sad or anxious if they aren’t getting enough stimulation or if they are watching too much negative news. The whole point of “me” time is to benefit and make us feel positive.
Watching TV can be a pleasant pastime. It can be stress-inducing depending on what we watch and for how long. Laying back in silence or listening to music can calm us down, or it can leave us feeling anxious and lonely. That’s why it’s good to ask ourselves if what we are doing with our “me” time is productive and beneficial for us mentally and emotionally.
I find that sitting in my backyard listening to my water fountain run and the birds chirp away helps me to relax and reflect. Watching the comings-and-goings of the birds, or even the butterflies, comforts me and gives me a sense of connectedness and inner peace. This quiet time—how I utilize my “me” time—has allowed me to take inventory of my life and identify what about myself do I need to improve on and what I want to do about changing it.
Change is easy, but when everything around us is changing as well, it can be a challenge. When we are able to quiet our minds, it allows us to identify small steps that over time will bring about big and positive change. When we take the time to look back and reflect on the changes caused by our actions or inactions, it gives us hope and encouragement.
With the current state of things, it’s more important than ever to remember that things always get better and the Acacia Creek community is in this together. Every positive step each of us takes supports our community as well as our society.
Penny Vittoria
Successful Aging Coach
