Since moving into the world of freelancing I’ve near enough doubled my daily work hours, extended my working week and increased my gym sessions. It’s all go in the world of Prettygreentea! However, I’ve realised that sitting at my laptop from 7:30 am and heading to bed at 11:30 pm probably isn’t the best of ideas. I obviously take a lunch break (I’m not that crazy) where I head to the gym for a class or swim and then have my lunch. But other than this I’m sitting at my laptop or standing behind my camera for the majority of the day.
Now, I’m all for working hard but it’s important to remember to take at least 30 minutes (an hour would probably be better) to do something for you. We all need inspiration to fuel our creativity and its good to take it from all around you, not just the internet.
So, here are a few things I’ve been doing (over the last week) to take a 30 minute break for myself:
– On days that I wash my hair I’ll incorporate a magazine into my morning routine. I’ll dry my hair, apply face cream and drink my tea whilst flicking through a magazine. Multi-tasking to the extreme! I normally do all of this with my laptop or iPad near me which isn’t great. Adding a magazine into the mix ensures that I’m getting a screen break, getting some inspiration and taking my time to look after my hair and skin.
– I’m trying to be off my laptop by around 10 pm and although I’m not managing it everyday I am making steps to turn it into a habit. Moving away from my laptop a littler earlier than normal means that I can get ready for bed and have the chance to do some reading. I love reading but rarely find the time for it. I’ve got stacks of books all over the apartment begging to be read and as one of my goals for 2014 is to read twelve books I really need to crack on with it.
I’d normally have managed 12 books within a few months but these days I have a habit of reading articles online and tend to leave my books to one side. It’s time to change that and incorporate reading into my evening routine because I’ve not managed to finish one sodding book yet.
– Finally, I have few coffee shops near by and I love to take my notebook and continue working. Not on my day to day work buy on other personal projects. This is something I’m passionate about and I enjoy spending my free time on them. It’s just an added bonus that I mange to get a screen break.
I don’t manage all these things, but I am trying very hard to fit one of them in each day.
Do you take time for yourself on a daily basis?
xx