This year, I’m reclaiming my time.

Taking it back.

While I’m happy that I’ve finally got some forward movement in terms of changing work sectors and deciding to take the steps to build a platform for myself, this whole balancing act has been…interesting to say the least.

Working full-time while posting every week AND studying at uni is very demanding.

Extremely demanding, in fact.

My studies have taken quite a hit while I’ve been establishing a routine for myself that works.

And have I found a routine that works?

The verdict’s still out…lol.

To help combat this, I’ve been using the now rare moments of quiet to do simple things to ground myself. To stabilise me while everything is moving around me.

So, what does it mean to reclaim your time?

It means to minimise distractions and using your time to focus on what really matters.

This could be work, personal well-being, self-care and reducing interruptions. Reclaiming your time involves being intentional or even strategic about the way you spend your time.

This could mean creating space for things that ground you instead of letting the everyday consume all your energy.

In essence, it’s being smart with your time.

It’s one of the ways in which to become more fulfilled. You’re allowing yourself to refill your cup by prioritising your goals, dedicating time for self-care and “me time”.

It can be so easy to get sucked in to letting work dictate your life. To give in to “I’m too tired” or “I’ll do it later”. You know, that old song and dance.

But by proactively blocking out time to do…just about anything else, you can still look back over the week feeling like you chose yourself in the midst of the hustle and bustle.

One of the things that I’ve been doing is falling back in love with reading.

Reading

I’ve been an avid reader for as long as I can remember.

Always borrowing the maximum number of books allowed from the library (it’s twelve, by the way).

Choosing to escape into a different reality when things were tough, I’d always seen reading as a saving grace.

But somewhere along the way, I’d fallen out of love with it. Getting caught up in the wild rollercoaster that is life, when life continuously hits you to the point where you can’t even come up for air.

Last year, when major life changes were happening, I found myself reaching for my lifeline again.

And I’m so glad that I did.

That I remembered where home is.

Now with the shifting puzzle pieces of my life constantly moving, I’ve been feeling unmoored.

But when I start a book, it feels like I’m standing on solid ground again. Like the first gasp of air after drowning for so long.

It feels like freedom.

Blocking out time to delve back into my latest read has been an escape.

A reprieve from the busyness of the week.

Scrambling to catch up with training, attending lectures in the evenings, desperately catching up with my studies while also spending time with family has left me feeling frazzled, to say the least.

But when I start a new book or pick up where I left off, I literally feel the built-up tension melt away. With each word, my shoulders lose their position from being by my ears, gradually making their way back down to where they belong.

When I read, the challenges of the day elude me completely.

And honestly?

I love it here.

Writing

Now, this one has been hard for me.

I don’t want writing to feel like a chore for me. Despite what it may seem like, I actually enjoy writing. Finding different words to express myself in a way that might resonate with someone else?

It makes me feel seen.

It gives me reassurance that all hope is not lost and I’m not alone in this world.

It gives me a wider scope to truly feel the way that I’ve been feeling instead of hiding from my emotions.

Reading and writing allow me to process my emotions and truly go through what I’m going through, instead of throwing myself into the next project or my studies or my full-time job.

Maybe that’s also what reclaiming your time is all about.

Shielding yourself from the noise.

Not being in a rush, but taking the time to pause, reflect and simple be.

Now, You!

I invite you to sit with yourself and think about what helps you to come back to yourself when the going gets tough?

When you feel inundated with life slapping you in the face.

How have you been reclaiming time?

Feel free to let me know.  I’d love to hear from you.

If you enjoyed this post, feel free to check out some other ways in which I’ve been balancing this hectic season.

See you in the next one!

Bibi x