permission to maximize your me-time (part 1)
(and minimize your guilt)
Welcome, friend! This is the first of a 5-Part Series that corresponds with the Megaphone Podcast Series that you can listen to here AND the FREE Maximize Your Me-Time Workbook that you can download here.
Today, we’re going to chat through whether or not you’ve done enough to earn your me-time. Now, I had no idea when I put this together that the one and only Jen McBurnie, BFF and podcast hostess extraordinaire, would literally want to die instead of work through this question. (I’m telling you, if you’ve got a half hour to listen to the podcast, do it! We literally start with Jen saying, “I HATE this!”)
I created this question specifically to be an easy yes. An intro into me-time that will help you minimize your guilt. But here’s the deal, if you’re a scorekeeper like Jen is, you’re going to have a hard time with this one.
Let me tell you the cold, hard truth. No matter what you’ve done or not done, you’re still allowed to take time for yourself. There is no magical formula or sticker chart or mental tally that will ever give you this permission. It’s got to come from within. You’ve got to believe that you are worthy to stop down and rest.
So, let’s get to work, shall we?
Have you done enough to earn your me-time? This is a question only you can answer. You may be like Jen and break out in a cold sweat at the thought of resting before you have everything crossed off your list. Or, you may be more like me, flexible in getting things done because you’re aware of your need to stop (and recharge so you can carry on later!) No matter where you find yourself, what you believe about this is actually a big deal.
What’s the root? The root for Jen is that she struggles believing that she is worthy just for who she is. The core lie that she believes is that she is only as good as her accomplishments. She is what she does. The root for me is a little different – I feel almost entitled to me-time (which can sometimes turn to laziness) because I’m done with proving myself. It’s kind of like an overcorrection (that I’m just realizing right now as I’m typing. Ugh.) I spent so long believing that I am only as good as what other people think of me (still a struggle, but not like it was!) that now I’m going to do what I want to do because my needs matter. Sometimes this is healthy. Sometimes this is not. Wherever you fall on this spectrum, it’s probably time for a root check.
Where’s the freedom? Ahhhhh freedom. Freedom for Jen looks like operating out of the fact that she is fully loved, approved, and accepted by her Heavenly Father. That if she naps before completing her to-do list, she’s still loved. That if she takes a weekend away and leaves her phone at home, she’s still accepted, still valued, still more than worthy because she’s a Daughter of the Most High King. My freedom comes when I settle down and live out the truth that God’s opinion of me is the only one that matters, and He’s already spoken this truth. I don’t need to go out searching for love and acceptance in my me-time or my chaos, because He’s already signed on the dotted line of who I am, and I’m His kid, and He loves me.
So, what about you?
The goal of this podcast – blog – workbook series is the work through this together! So let’s chat…email me anytime at lisa@lisagraft.com or follow me on social. Plus, the podcast – I mean, I can’t say enough about how much I love it, and also can’t say enough about how, if you aren’t sure you’re a “podcast girl,” give me 30 minutes with this episode alone and you’ll become a lifer.
Cheering you on!
Lisa