When I talk to my clients about self-care or the dreaded me time, invariably I get told all the reasons why people cannot fit this into their lives.
Women particularly seem to struggle with the terminology self-care and especially me time. We’ve discussed this before, it can be viewed as selfish, or a luxury and something that does not take priority in their lives.
Recently I was discussing with a client what their own me time looked like? For them, it wasn’t going for a massage, or having their nails done, but pottering around the house, getting those small household tasks completed, giving them a huge sense of satisfaction.
I can really relate to that, having time to do things, is self-care for me. Not having to cram things into the days where I’m not coaching, feels luxurious and actually quite restful. All those things that you’ve been meaning to do but can’t quite find the time to do them - your life laundry.
So, what does life laundry look like?
It’s all the things that are outside of your work that helps your life to run, more smoothly, more efficiently, that sometimes niggle away at you, even though they seem completely unnecessary to others.
Here are some ideas.
· Topping up the birthday present box
· Dropping bags to the charity shop.
· Cleaning out the cupboard under the sink.
· Taking clothes to be altered/taken up or in.
· Booking appointments – Vet, doctor, dentist.
When clients struggle with the words, self-care or me time, I often suggest that they substitute those words for life laundry. This seems particularly beneficial for those who are self-employed and struggle to take time out to do things that are important for them, they find themselves needing to give themselves permission to tackle those jobs.
Managing your life laundry.
I recommend to clients, and this will come as no surprise that you schedule in life laundry days. These days can be as frequent as you wish and will lessen the overwhelm if you manage them correctly. It might be one day of a weekend, it might be part of a holiday, if you’re self-employed, it might be the odd day dotted here and there throughout a month just to keep on top of things. They do need to be dedicated days where you can switch off from everything else and just concentrate on your stuff!
So, next time you have a “day off” work, instead of beating yourself up because you are NOT adhering to the traditional “me time” enjoy your life laundry day pottering, getting stuff done, enjoying the sense of satisfaction, or ticking things off your own personal list – it can be just as relaxing.
For more help with your Life Laundry days, download my free worksheet on my website.