You’re busy—juggling kids, pets, work, or other life responsibilities—and you barely have any time for yourself before the day begins. You’re also just like 68 percent of your peers.
Last week, we asked our audience whether they feel like they have enough time for themselves in the morning before other tasks kick in, and 45 percent said “no.” Another 23 percent said “somewhat, but not as much as they’d like.”
Relatable. I’m not a parent, but I have a young and active dog who is my alarm clock, stealing my attention from the very moment she wakes up. Even after years together, I still struggle occasionally with carving out me-time amid our morning routine, and I relish the moments on vacation when I can enjoy my morning coffee without simultaneously throwing a ball down the hallway.
What I’ve discovered through trial and error, however, is that small shifts can make a big difference in securing the personal time that makes me feel grounded. Things like: starting my workday 30 minutes late if I haven’t gotten a workout in yet, or putting my phone on Do Not Disturb from 9:30 p.m. until 7:30 a.m. to limit the hours I feel “on.”
As such, for this week’s newsletter, I’ve compiled a list of other tiny moves that can add up to quiet moments of zen. If you’re overworked, spread thin, or feeling untethered, try implementing some of these:
15 tiny ways to make time for yourself during the day
1. Drinking your coffee/tea for five minutes while doing absolutely nothing. No phone, no emails. I search “anti-anxiety playlist” on Spotify and plug in my string lights to add extra ambiance.
2. Taking the long way home, or even simply the route that you feel most drawn to. I often skip the interstate and take backroads instead simply because the highway feels more stressful.
3. Sitting in your car for a few minutes before going inside. Living in the South, I like to shut off my car, close my eyes, and let myself get a little warm. It’s nice to bake.
4. Creating a skincare routine that feels restorative… and a little playful. I like using a rose water mist—which I doubt does anything, except makes me feel like I’m at a spa.
5. Listening to a song you love all the way through. No skipping or turning it off after the bridge. I have a playlist called “Songs that feel like coming home,” which is my go-to.
6. Stopping to put on lotion or your signature perfume after getting ready. A moment for “extras” feels like the most personal pause.
7. Spending five minutes reading, scrolling on Pinterest, or drawing in the margins of your planner. This always feels like dipping your toes in a pool of inspiration. Revitalizing.
8. Taking an extra deep breath before responding to a message, email, request, or argument. It’s a tiny pause to reclaim your pace.
9. Texting one of your favorite people something mundane. One of my best friends texts me every time she eats a salad. It’s silly and simple and feels like coming back down to Earth.
10. Stretching. I’m actually just including this because I really don’t stretch enough and should. I’m still growing.
11. Standing in the sun, even if just for a few minutes. Focus on the wind, the heat, or (where I am) the hug of the humidity.
12. Eating your food slowly with intention. Points for opting out of streaming, scrolling, or working while you eat. You already have an activity.
13. Closing your eyes for 30 seconds. Cannot recommend enough.
14. Writing a sentence you like or a passing thought. It doesn’t have to mean anything or need any explanation. I have a note on my laptop of random phrases that sound good.
15. Putting on clothes that feel good—soft, comfortable, unrestrictive, pretty, whatever “good” means for you. Shed the day’s weight and any other expectations that come with it.
