This post was inspired and sponsored by Domain.ME, the provider of personal domains that end in .ME. As a compnay, they aim to promote thought leadership to the tech world. As always, all opinions are my own.
It can be hard to carve out time for ME, but finding a way to do something for yourself can really improve your work/life balance and ability to help others!
Happy Wednesday friends!
I don’t know about you, but I struggle with taking time for myself and finding that perfect healthy balance in life. Since I left WLOS, I've been working hard to find my ideal work/life balance. It is something that is on my mind often. I always try to keep my goals of the perfect balance in mind when I make decisions. Despite my progress, it is still a work in progress. I still don’t take a lot of time to just breathe and be ME. There is always something that I must do that pulls me away.
Clean the closet…
Take the dog to the vet…
Work on the never ending to-do list for the blog…
Help a friend…
These are all, of course, very worthy things to do, and I’m not suggesting not doing them. But I also believe it's important for each of us to figure out little ways to have some ME time. If we embrace self-appreciation and take care of ourselves, we will be even better at all of those little projects and helping take care of others. I feel like finding this balance is a life-long work in progress, but that doesn’t stop me from trying to do better each day.
You can take a ME day any day, but the official ME day is March 16! Here are a few suggestions for taking a ME day, without spending a lot of cash.
4 Inexpensive Ways to Enjoy ME Day
Embrace where you live…
I love visiting local parks and hiking trails to walk or go for a run.
Asheville is beautiful, so it's easy for me to enjoy mother nature, but there are gems everywhere you live. Go find them by searching the internet or asking friends. Enjoying some time outside is great for the soul. If you find joy where you live, it is easy to carve out ME time.
Take an Epsom salt bath…
Taking a bath is the perfect way to get some ME time. Make it special with a few additions. An Epsom salt bath soothes sore muscles and is perfect for relaxing. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil for a blissful and inexpensive spa experience.
Talk about an ideal ME time!
Read a good book…
Reading a good book is the perfect little getaway. The story can transport you to a tropical beach locale, an exotic new country or even a different time. It is the perfect inexpensive way to have some ME time.
Eat good food…
You guys know my ME list had to include food right?
Exhibit A: A glass of red wine and dark chocolate covered almonds.
It's ME food with a healthy twist! The paring is bliss on a plate and the perfect little escape for some ME time.
Don't forget about ME day on March 16th, 2016. ME Day,” created by domain .ME and promotes the values of diversity, tolerance and freedom, as well as self-appreciation and importance of taking care of ourselves.
Mark your calendars now to find some ME time March 16th. And help me spread the word about ME Day using the hashtag #MEDay
Your turn!
How do you find time for a little ME time?
Diatta @ Femme Fitale Fit Club says
I need some ME TIME!! I am seriously thinking about actually using my garden tub to add some epsom salt and lavendar EO and just relax with a glass of wine. The 16th is a Monday and that ME day for me will not happen then but I will definitely be taking a look at doing one on the weekend. Thanks for linking up as always. #wowlinkup
jill conyers says
I love love this Julie! Me time is so important. It not only feels great it makes me a better me for everyone else.
Thanks for linking up with Fitness Friday and have a wonderful weekend!
Mattie @ Comfy & Confident says
Me time is so important! I am terrible at carving it out. I relaxing bubble bath sounds so good right now {with a nice glass of wine!}.
Susanna @Zealous Mom says
Yessss! Most of the "me" time I get is at a coffee shop but I'm always working on an article or a column or a website, but still...I'm alone, drinking coffee, doing what I love, so it's not too bad. Other me time comes in the form of exercise, working out alone or running. And you're right, it's so very important. We have to focus on ourselves, at least a little, before we can be there for everyone else.
Renee @ Bendiful Blog says
Me time is so important and I feel like is always the first thing scratched from my schedule! Thanks for the reminder to fit it in!
Helly says
It's tough finding me time with my kids so young--I use my running time as part of 'me' time for sure. Whenever I do have some spare minutes though, I like to do absolute nothing 🙂
JulieWunder says
I don't blame you! I would just go sit and rest!
Laurie Morris says
Julie, me time is so very important. Sometimes it is also so hard to get in! You just have to make it a part of your schedule! Before my BREAST cancer diagnosis, although I was just working part time and have an empty nest after raising 2 children, I still wasn't taking me time. I now realize I had an unhealthy life style. Physical Therapy helped me start to get on the right track and I started to feel better. I am now doing those same exercises, walking when it is not too cold and eating better. Wish I'd done this long ago. ***I also wanted to ask you if you support the ads on your page. I am "old school" and don't trust a site I don't know. I was wondering about the Kate Hudson Fabletics???? Enjoy your blog...keep up the good work! Oh, and what kind of camera do you use??? You're great with that, too!
JulieWunder says
Hi Laurie, I totally agree! I had to get sick before I figured out I was doing it all wrong. I hope you are continue to get better.
I do offer ads on my site and run them from several sources. It is one of the ways I am able to make this blog my job! I appreciate you support and thank you for the suggestion. I will look into it!
I use a Cannon 5ti and I am just getting the hang of it!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says
It is really hard to find ME time with two kiddos. Running is my me time. I also make sure I get a massage every once in a while and a pedicure!
JulieWunder says
The kiddos really can't be ignored! haha!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
I'm all for ME time and all of your ideas sound perfect to me. Your pics are also gorgeous!
JulieWunder says
Thanks so much!!!
Danyelle Musselman says
It's so tough for me to fine "ME" time, but without a doubt it's something that needs to be done! No lie, I just picked up some dark chocolate almonds and Red Wine at Trader Joe's today… I think the universe is telling me something!
JulieWunder says
I totally think it is!
Mary Beth Jackson says
I love a little ME time! That is how I feel about my yoga class- it is just ME and my mat & breathe..... no phone, no extra noise, nothing I love it! then follow it with a healthy glass of red wine, one of those little dove dark chocolate hearts and I am in heaven!
JulieWunder says
I find I need to actually remove the phone from the room to really relax... crazy huh?!
Gingi says
The ME day lands on my due date!!! Grrrrrr!!!! But that's okay.. My "me" day was yesterday, hehe.. I spent the day reading and drinking too much soda as a pre-diet binge. Hahah.. - http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
JulieWunder says
oh man! You are going to have the exact opposite of a ME day! You are so close-- so exciting!
Shelley says
Did you know Epsom salt is available in a lotion? Morton makes an unscented Epsom lotion with natural Epsom salt to soothe minor aches and strains when you don't have time for a ME Day soak! I bought mine at Kmart in the pharmacy lotion location. It's wonderful and greaseless too!
JulieWunder says
Hi Shelly! I did not know that! So cool. I'll have to look for it.
Jaime says
Running and reading are part of my "me" time which doesn't happen as often as I'd like it to!
JulieWunder says
It is hard to make time with everything going on!
Jess @hellotofit says
Me time is really important for my sanity 😛 I've never taken an Epsom salt bath, but it sounds wonderful...I just need to find the plug for my tub haha!
JulieWunder says
It is wonderful! I swore by it in marathon training.
Annmarie says
Me time is so necessary...especially when it involves dark chocolate and red wine 😉
JulieWunder says
Exactly!!! It is a shame we can't all have wine party sometime!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
I love the epsom salt bath but always feel like I don't have enough time to do them more often and I have a pile of books to read here. I did some reading on our vacay last week and I need to do it more!
JulieWunder says
I feel like a book is much more relaxing than a magazine.
Katie @ Fit Life by Katie says
You live in Asheville!? I've ALWAYS wanted to go there. Always heard wonderful things. I honestly find me time by either getting up early and enjoying coffee or I go to the gym…It's some of my favorite times haha
JulieWunder says
I do life in Asheville and I adore it here!!! It is such a cool and fun place. It's so funny that word is finally getting out about how great of a place it is. It felt like a secret for so long.
Thanks for stopping by today.
Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections says
Me time has become a much bigger priority for me while pregnant, but I worry that I'll struggle with it once baby is here. I think my two favorite ways to relax are drink wine and take a bath, both of which I can't do right now. Wine is obvious, but my bathtub does not stay filled right now, so it's a huge bummer!
JulieWunder says
I think it is so great that you are finding that time now so you can be the best version of you when the baby arrives.
Oh no!!! Not taking a bath would be such a bummer for me. It is my total relaxing time.
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says
ME day sounds awesome - I'll have to set the date! I definitely struggle with having enough me time. Blogging and training for my 10 mile race take up a lot of time, not to mention working.
JulieWunder says
It all adds up! I totally understand the challenge.
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
I unfortunately sometimes have too many me days. Such is the life of a doctors wife! But I try to make the most of them--long runs and bravo tv!
JulieWunder says
I totally understand. The hubs is a CPA... tax widow right now 🙂
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
Hello wine and dark chocolate! That and a book makes for some perfect 'me' time. I also really enjoy going to the movies by myself. I know it sounds really weird and I don't do it very much which is probably why I enjoy it so much when I do.
JulieWunder says
Me too! What a great way to unwind. I threw the almonds in there for the healthy balance... muh-haaa!
Linda @ The Fitty says
#MEDay is on a Monday, theres no way I can do that! I've been wanting to take a me week though, and that''ll happen next week with my rest and rwcovery.
JulieWunder says
It is hard on a Monday, but I'm going to carve out a little nugget of time. I think a MEweek is a great idea as well.
The Frugal Exerciser says
I have never heard of ME day, it must be new but what a great concept. I might celebrate it with getting a massage. #wowlinkup
JulieWunder says
It is new, but I think it is a great idea! A massage sounds like a perfect way to celebrate.
Robin @ Simply Southern Baking says
We all absolutely need a me day every now and then. I took some time just for me the other day and went strawberry picking to a U-pick farm I had just learned about. It was a spur of the moment thing. After that, I stopped by the used bookstore at the library to go through the cookbook section...bought 2 cookbooks for $1.00 each.
JulieWunder says
What a glorious day! I MISS fresh Florida strawberries. Old cookbooks are the best too!
Blane Sherer says
I like the ME DAY. It is certainly geat to take time for yourself but it is so easy to put that off . I think it's good to have spontaneous ME Time, but I really like the idea of scheduling it too.
JulieWunder says
I agree! Both options are ideal!
Farrah says
I am unfortunately really, really gifted at always finding things that I feel like I need to get down right away (because "right away" is actually ages later because I didn't have a chance to get to it before ._.). I definitely agree with you that finding some time for a me day is super, super important though! I feel like just having the option of doing some sort of mindless activity these days = a real luxury!
JulieWunder says
I feel the same way! It is hard to catch up and shut off my mind. I am working on it though.