Is it okay to think this way?

This past Friday this mama went to the spa with a gift certificate I had been sitting on for almost TWO YEARS. I kept saying I was going to go, and then it never happened. It literally took my assistant booking me an appointment AND not letting me cancel when I really, really wanted to.

Thankfully I did get there and OMG it was like a giant sigh of relief. For the first time in a long time my body softened and finally my brain. And it got me thinking:

Why does carving out time for ourselves feel so unachievable sometimes, or even worse, it becomes another “thing” we have to add to our never-ending to-do list?

I think as a society, but especially as women, there’s this underlying guilt about taking time for just you. That voice creeps in:

“I could be working on that big project.”

“I should be spending this time with my kids.”

“I could always get ahead on my meal prep for the week.”

“Maybe I should catch up with my girlfriend instead?”

Or is that just me?

I didn’t think so. 😉

With all of the other things we’ve got going on, establishing or re-committing to a regular “me-time” practice isn’t easy, especially if we see this as another to-do list item, and one that doesn’t bring us what feels like a tangible results.

Personally I’ve been neglecting my “me-time” since my daughter, Navy, was born 13 months ago. Not only bigger things like spa days, but little everyday moments like my morning journaling and meditation routine. I saw my time away from my baby, or my work, as exactly that: lost time.

What I’ve realized is that I need to re-frame the way I think about this “me time.” That taking regular time away from my home and work and responsibilities is essential to my being, and actually allows me to return a better mom, coach, wife, business owner and friend.

Here’s the best part: you don’t have to take a full day off and go to the spa to receive the benefits of this practice. You can actually take as little as 4 minutes per day and totally transform your life. Four minutes, people! That’s all it takes. No matter what you’ve got going on, YOU DESERVE 4 MINUTES of your day.

And this is exactly what my friend, meditation teacher, doula (for baby Navy!), and coach, Rebekah Boruki teaches us in her amazing new book, You Have 4 Minutes to Change Your Life.

You’ve gotta add this book to your spring/summer reading list. It’s helped me return to a morning routine that’s all about me, in the best way possible. Her book teaches us how to create a practical, no bullsh*t meditation practice that can fit into even the busiest schedules.

In fact, it’s been so powerful for me the past few weeks that it’s inspired me to start a series of emails highlighting my favorite books and how they’ve helped me during different periods of my life – so stay tuned!

Today’s Takeaway Reminder: Every day we have an opportunity to start from a gentle and loving place. To keep working towards our goals, but to work from a place of good. Of knowing you’re doing the best you can. Telling yourself gentle and loving things instead of everything you’re doing wrong. The good is there, and sometimes all it takes is a 4-minute meditation to feel it.

Now I want to hear from you – do you have a daily me-time practice? Leave a comment below, or better yet, post a photo to social media showing us all how you take time for YOU. Make sure to tag me @RobynYoukilis and #YourHealthiestYou so I can see your posts (and be inspired!).