How To Take Time for Yourself: A Simple Guide

Deep down, you know you should take time for yourself, at least once in a while, but if you’re like so many others, you find yourself constantly busy, juggling work, family, and social commitments.

Amidst all the chaos of everyday life, taking time for yourself often gets overlooked, but by setting aside moments for self-care, you can recharge and face each day with renewed energy and focus.

Investing in yourself isn't a luxury; it's an essential step for achieving and maintaining a balanced life.

Life can get crazy busy—we all know that—but you don’t have to do it all every day on your own. A personal AI assistant can manage all the little things that steal your time so you can be present when it matters and take time for yourself.

Why Taking Time for Yourself Matters

In overloaded schedules, it's easy to forget the importance of self-care. People often prioritize work, family responsibilities, and social obligations over their own well-being, but neglecting personal time can lead to burnout, stress, and decreased productivity.

Taking time for yourself allows you to recharge, reflect, and reconnect with your own needs and desires. It's an opportunity to engage in activities that bring joy, help you relax, and promote a sense of balance.

Whether it's pursuing a hobby, practicing mindfulness, or simply enjoying a quiet moment, prioritizing self-care can have a profound impact on your overall happiness and success.

Common Challenges When You Try To Take Time for Yourself

One of the biggest obstacles to taking time for yourself is the feeling of guilt or selfishness. Many people struggle with the idea that prioritizing their own needs is somehow wrong or indulgent. They may feel pressure to constantly be productive or available to others.

Another common challenge is the lack of time. With so many responsibilities and commitments, it can be difficult to find even a few minutes for yourself. You might feel like there's always something more important or urgent that needs your attention.

Additionally, some people may not know how to effectively use their personal time. They may struggle with identifying activities that truly bring them joy and relaxation, or they may find it hard to fully disconnect from work or other stressors.

How To Start Taking Time for Yourself

Taking time for yourself doesn’t always come naturally, especially when life is busy and others rely on you, but learning how to pause and prioritize your own well-being is essential. It starts with a mindset shift, one that allows space for rest without guilt or pressure.

Giving Yourself Permission To Take Time

The first step in taking time for yourself is recognizing that it's not only okay but necessary. Give yourself permission to prioritize your own well-being without feeling guilty. Understand that taking care of yourself is critical for your overall health and happiness.

Start by shifting your mindset. Embrace the idea that self-care is a vital part of a balanced life, not a luxury or indulgence. Remind yourself that by taking time to recharge, you'll be better equipped to handle your responsibilities and be there for others.

Letting Go of Guilt and Expectations

To fully embrace personal time, it's important to let go of any guilt or unrealistic expectations. Recognize that you don't have to be productive every moment of the day. It's okay to take breaks and engage in activities simply because they bring you joy.

Challenge the notion that you always have to be available to others. Set boundaries and communicate your need for personal time to family, friends, and colleagues. Remember that taking care of yourself is a sign of strength and self-awareness, not weakness.

Practical Ways To Take Time for Yourself Each Day

Taking time for yourself doesn’t always require big changes—what matters is being intentional with the time you have. By creating structure, protecting your energy, and making room for your own needs, you can build habits that support your well-being every single day.

Setting Boundaries With Others

One of the most effective ways to ensure you have time for yourself is to set clear boundaries with others. Communicate your needs and limits, both at work and in your personal life. Let people know when you're unavailable, and stick to those boundaries.

Learn to say no to requests or invitations that don't align with your priorities or self-care needs. It's okay to decline or delegate tasks when necessary. By setting boundaries, you create space for yourself and send a message to others that your personal time is valuable.

Scheduling Personal Time in Your Day

To make sure you routinely take time for yourself, schedule it into your day, just like any other important appointment.

Block off specific times in your calendar for self-care activities (Ohai.ai can help with this!), whether it's a few minutes of meditation in the morning or an hour of reading in the evening.

Treat these personal time blocks as non-negotiable commitments. Resist the urge to cancel or reschedule them unless absolutely necessary. By making self-care a regular part of your routine, you'll be more likely to stick with it and experience the benefits.

"Taking time to do nothing often brings everything into perspective." - Doe Zantamata

Making Small Changes That Add Up

Taking time for yourself doesn't have to involve grand gestures or significant lifestyle changes. Small, consistent actions can make a big difference in your overall well-being.

Look for opportunities to incorporate self-care into your existing routine. Take a few deep breaths during your commute, stretch at your desk, or enjoy a mindful cup of tea during your lunch break.

Identify activities that bring you joy and relaxation, and make an effort to engage in them regularly, even if it's just for a few minutes each day. Over time, these small changes will add up and contribute to a greater sense of balance and well-being.

Finding What Makes Taking Time for Yourself Enjoyable

Taking time for yourself is most meaningful when it truly feels nourishing. The key is discovering what brings you joy, peace, or a sense of purpose. Whether you’re trying something new or simply tuning in to what you need most, the experience should feel like a gift, not another task.

Exploring New Activities

Part of the joy of taking time for yourself is discovering new activities that bring you happiness and fulfillment. Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and try something different.

Explore hobbies or interests that you've always been curious about. Take a class, join a club, or attend a workshop. You might discover a new passion or talent that you never knew you had.

Be open to experimentation, and don't put pressure on yourself to find the perfect activity right away. The process of exploration itself can be enjoyable and rewarding.

Listening to Your Own Needs

When it comes to taking time for yourself, it's important to tune in to your own needs and desires. What works for someone else may not necessarily work for you.

Pay attention to how different activities make you feel. Notice which ones leave you feeling energized, relaxed, or inspired. Trust your instincts, and prioritize the things that truly nourish your soul.

Remember that your needs may change over time, and that's okay. Be flexible and willing to adjust your self-care practices as needed. The key is to stay connected to yourself and honor what you need in each moment.

Mindfulness and Being Present When You Take Time for Yourself

One of the most powerful ways to make the most of your personal time is to practice mindfulness and be fully present in the moment. When you're engaging in self-care activities, try to let go of distractions and focus on the experience at hand.

Notice the sensations in your body, the thoughts in your mind, and the emotions you're feeling. Allow yourself to be fully immersed in the activity, without judgment or expectation.

Mindfulness can help you savor your personal time and experience greater benefits from it. By being fully present, you'll be better able to relax, recharge, and connect with yourself on a deeper level.

Overcoming Obstacles To Taking Time for Yourself

Even when we know how important it is, taking time for ourselves can feel surprisingly difficult. Internal pressures and old habits often get in the way. Overcoming these obstacles means shifting how you view time, productivity, and your own worth, starting from the inside out.

Managing the Urge To Keep Busy

Even when you recognize the importance of taking time for yourself, feelings of busyness and being overwhelmed can still get in the way. When your schedule is packed and your to-do list is never-ending, it can be tempting to push self-care to the bottom of your priorities.

To overcome this obstacle, challenge the belief that busyness equals productivity or success. Recognize that taking breaks and prioritizing your well-being can actually make you more effective and efficient in the long run.

Practice saying no to nonessential tasks or commitments that don't align with your values or goals. Be realistic about what you can accomplish in a day, and leave some wiggle room for unexpected challenges or opportunities for self-care.

Changing Your Relationship With Time

Another common obstacle to taking time for yourself is the feeling that there's never enough time. But what if, instead of trying to find more time, you focused on changing your relationship with the time you have?

Start by challenging the notion that time is scarce or that you're always behind. Embrace the idea that you have enough time for what truly matters, including self-care.

Practice being more intentional with your time. Identify your priorities, and focus on the activities that bring you the most value and fulfillment. Let go of perfectionism and the need to do everything yourself.

Remember that taking time for yourself is not a waste of time but an investment in your overall well-being and success.

The Benefits You'll Notice When You Take Time for Yourself

When you learn how to take time for yourself and it becomes a regular practice, you'll start to notice a range of benefits in your life. Here are just a few of the positive changes you may experience:

1. Reduced stress and anxiety: By prioritizing self-care, you'll be better equipped to manage stress and maintain a sense of calm and balance.
2. Increased creativity and productivity: Taking breaks and engaging in activities that bring you joy can boost your creativity and help you be more productive when you return to work.
3. Improved relationships: When you take care of yourself, you'll have more energy and patience to be present and engaged with others.
4. Greater self-awareness and personal growth: By taking time to reflect and explore your own needs and desires, you'll gain a deeper understanding of yourself and what truly matters to you.
5. Enhanced overall well-being: Prioritizing self-care can lead to improved physical health, emotional resilience, and a greater sense of happiness and fulfillment.

How an AI Assistant Can Lighten Your Load

With Ohai.ai’s intelligent assistant, O, finding time for yourself becomes more than just a good intention—it becomes realistic.

O handles the mental load of daily logistics by reading your texts and emails, finding events and availability, managing your calendar, and even creating meal plans complete with shopping lists.

You don’t have to remember everything or juggle tasks alone—just message O, and it takes care of the details.

By automating the small, time-consuming decisions that eat up your day, O helps you reclaim time and mental space for what really matters.

Having a digital assistant empowers you to shift from constantly doing to consciously being. It’s support that fits seamlessly into your life so that you can finally make yourself a priority.

Take Time for Yourself: It’s Essential!

Taking time for yourself is a necessity for a balanced and fulfilling life. By giving yourself permission to prioritize self-care, letting go of guilt and expectations, and finding activities that bring you joy, you’ll soon get in the habit of taking time for yourself.

Small changes can make a big difference. Don't wait any longer to learn to take time for yourself. Embrace the power of self-care, and discover how it can transform your life.

With a little intention and practice, you can create a life that feels balanced, fulfilling, and truly your own.

O, your personal digital assistant from Ohai.ai, can help you carve out more time each day for things that bring you joy by scanning emails, updating your calendar, helping with meal planning and shopping lists, and so much more! Discover O today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What does take time for yourself mean?

Taking time for yourself means intentionally setting aside moments to rest, reflect, and recharge without external demands. It’s about prioritizing your mental, emotional, and physical well-being, even in a busy life, so that you can feel more balanced, present, and fulfilled.

What is it called when you take time for yourself?

Taking time for yourself is often referred to as “self-care,” “personal time,” or “me time.” These terms describe the conscious practice of stepping away from obligations to nurture your well-being, reduce stress, and reconnect with your own needs and desires.

How do you say "take time for yourself"?

You can say “take time for yourself” in many ways, such as “make space for self-care,” “carve out me time,” or “prioritize your own needs.” The phrase encourages people to pause and focus on themselves, which is essential for mental and emotional health.

What is a quote about taking time for yourself?

One inspiring quote is: “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” – Anne Lamott. This quote reminds us that rest and solitude are not indulgences—they’re necessary for clarity, energy, and overall well-being.