One thing I hear often in my practice is “I don’t have enough time.”

Between work, family, chores, errands and all other life demands—it’s easy to see why we hang on to this mindset. From a young age, we’re conditioned to believe that time is running out. That there aren’t enough hours in the day, or that we can always be pushing to get something else done.

Should this apply in some situations? Yes, absolutely.

Should this apply to everyday life? No, definitely not.

The sensation of anxiety and rushing, always being on the move—it doesn’t exactly deliver the warm and fuzzies. Internally, living in this state can elevate the production of adrenaline and cortisol, two hormones that can activate long-term health conditions if left unregulated. Holding on to this mindset, the lack of mentality around time fosters the exact opposite emotions we need in order to feel safe in our bodies.

So what can you do?

While you can’t change the fact there are 24 hours in a day, you can implement easy ways to take back your power over time. To feel supported by the day ahead, in a way that makes you feel strong, creative and open to opportunity.

Here are 3 easy tips I follow to create more time for myself, daily:

  1. Take a pause before responding. 
    Instead of reacting with an immediate YES or NO, give yourself a moment to actually think about what you want. What sounds good? What feels supportive? Whether you follow up in a few hours or a few days, allowing yourself room to consider your needs first strengthens both your boundaries and self-knowing.
     
  2. Turn on Apple Downtime
    This is a secret weapon for intentionally cutting screen time. Within an assigned window, Downtime automatically limits which apps you can access—giving you a full permission slip to step away from your phone for more connected time with dinner, bedtime, date night, etc. 
    (In your iPhone, fine Settings settings > Display + Brightness > Downtime, then set your boundary accordingly)
     
  3. Automate healthy habit stacking
    What routines do you have in place that can be stacked together? For example, keep your vitamins next to the fridge so you’re triggered to take them after dinner. Using the same water cup, fill it with water and place it by your coffee machine, so you’re prompted to drink it while your coffee brews the next morning. Extra points if your journal is close by, so you can mentally ground yourself before the start of your day.

These are tiny shifts to your day-to-day routine but are instrumental tools to begin unraveling the lack mentality around time. Implement just one of these this weekend, and experience the shift for yourself.

I’d love to hear which one you decide to try!

3 tips to give yourself more time

3/23/2023

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