Thursday, October 13, 2011

Me Time


The weather is slowly cooling off and now I can finally see the change in season. I can honestly say the winter months are my favorite ones because I am a total romantic at heart! Nothing beats seeing the Christmas lights go up around town to add a special touch to the atmosphere. Those twinkling  lights always wind up in my books somehow but that's something I can't help...  :)  

More than anything, the cold weather reminds me how close we are to the major holidays...and the coming new year. Wow, can you believe 2011 is almost over? I swear this year has flown by and the jarring truth has made me realize that I've not been able to have "me time" in such a long while. Gone are those years when I used to make an effort to go to the spa and get the full treatment regularly. These days it's hard enough trying to remember to schedule a pedicure. That's why I've realized that I deserve to slow down a bit to enjoy what's left of the year. All this working non-stop has made me miss out on all the little things.

I've decided to carve out a day each week just for myself because life isn't going to wait for me to stop and smell the roses. Either I make the time or I'll regret not doing it. We are all busy with family, children, work--not to mention a zillion other obligations in our lives, but we should always make ourselves the top priority. Two years ago when a dear friend of my passed away, I realized life was too short and decided to create a goal to try something new each year...first it was knitting, then it was joining a gym to get fit again, and now it's guitar lessons. I can say that it breathed a new life into me and just one simple thing really made a difference....

What about you? I challenge you to make one goal a year and stick to it. Go out of your comfort zone and /or try something you've always wanted to do but never made time to...start now because I guarantee when you look back on your life, you'll be very pleased you've done it! 

11 comments:

Wynter said...

Good for you for making special time to chill. I'll be expecting a guitar recital soon;-) My goal for the coming year is to do more with my husband. He's actually going to do some hands on research with me (no, naughty chicks, not THAT kind of research). He's going to take a class on Wicca with me for an upcoming series.

Cassandra said...

Jax, you are amazing, smart, and wise. I want to be like you when I grow up. :D

I would love to learn to scuba dive, but not sure I fit the size requirements. lol. Other than that, I'd love to teach a class on wildcrafting herbs. :-)

Ooh, cool beans, Wynter! Your hubby must be very open minded and accepting. He's a keeper, girl. :) Have fun in the class and hope you blog about your experience. I'd love to read it. ((hugs)) C.C.

Michelle Polaris said...

Finding time to take care of yourself is so valuable. It's what being a grown-up is about. This year I started karate as part of my plan for me. And acupuncture. Come to think of it I have quite a few things for me in my life. Maybe I grew up by accident. I just have to keep on going with them.

Jina Bacarr said...

Jax, your post is very appropos as we get into the holiday season. Time to do something for ourselves before our lives get too hectic.

We're having a record heat wave here in SoCal (90 degrees here at the beach), so it's a good day to stay in with a good book and "chill."

Casey Crow said...

Yay for you, Jax! Enjoy your time! My "me time" is taking jazz class one night a week. Even though my specialty is ballet, the class is made up of former dance teachers and dance competitors like myself so it is not easy by any means. Since I don't teach dance anymore, it's a great way to stay up-to-date. Plus, it's just fun and I get to be in the recital. (Seriously, I'm not kidding - last spring we danced to VOGUE and brought the house to their feet. Yay me. LOL

Hot Ash Romance Novels said...

Wonderful post.

The problem with my making a yearly goal is that I'm a bit of a rebel. I don't have trouble setting goals and meeting them as long as it's not on a "to do" list. I make a big 'to-do' about HAVING to do something instead of wanting to do it.

Callie Croix said...

Life is short, you're right. I'd really love to get over my phobia of planes and start traveling more. I have all kinds of opportunity yet I pass 99.9% of the time I'm offered a trip. (Yes, offered. As in, it's fully paid for by someone else. Don't hate me!)
I need to go to Paris again. I want to see more of the UK. Go to Ireland and trace my family tree. I want to see the BoSox play at Fenway while Varitek is still playing. I want to take my kids to Disneyworld and drag them down to the deep south to see New Orleans and meet my awesomesauce crit partner.
Feel the fear and do it anyway?

Hot Ash Romance Novels said...

Callie--(sorry Wynter, I know this is your spot, but I need to speak to Callie for a min.)

I was afraid of flying too, but hypnosis helped a ton! I "go to my happy place" during take off and landing and all is well.

And, hey! If you get to Boston, give me a yell! I'm in the area and would love to give you the grand tour.

I have a book about a Professional Boston baseball pitcher with a little extra. (wink) Check out my Strange Neighbors.

Julianne said...

Very sage advice, but sadly, it fell on MY ears.

Honestly, the only thing I could think of when you said, "Get out of your comfort zone" was to get my first bikini wax.

I'm scared. And I most definitely WON'T be comfortable.

But on a deeper level I get what you're saying.

Be present. That's the ultimate Me Time.

Great advice, Ms. Cassidy :)

Jax Cassidy said...

You gals can get over your fears! "Just do it"...as Nike says. I used to have a deathly fear of heights so what do you think I did? Bungee jumped, skydiving, paragliding--it's the best way to conquer fear by meeting it head on. :) Be fearless!

Ms. J Perry, waxing is nothing. It is scary and not as all painful as it sounds. In a weird sort of way, it becomes addictive and makes you feel sexy. Seriousl!!

Callie Croix said...

Hey, Ashlyn, thank for the tip! I actually have thought about trying hypnotherapy. Worth a shot, right?

So jealous that you live in Boston.