Be your own BEST FRIEND

Most of us spend life running around, chasing time. Work, sleep, kids, friends, exercise, social media, shopping, loved ones. TIME, TIME, TIME. Yet we never have enough and feel frustrated, angry, exhausted.

Obvious? You're running all the time.

What If You Stopped?

What if you didn't plan or book anything at all? Would that be scary? Afraid of losing precious time?

Take 5-10 minutes — or even a whole HOUR — just for yourself. Doing nothing.

Why This Matters

It is HIGHLY IMPORTANT to connect with yourself. Stay away from social media, YouTube, WhatsApp, internet gadgets. Silence allows you to talk to yourself — to catch up with your inner self.

Many people fear this. Sometimes because:

• -Isolation makes them sad
• -They prefer living in denial
• -They don't want to face their inner truth

So they stay busy with anything — even passive, brain-washing TV — to avoid this.

But being alone can be empowering. Learning peace with yourself is a crucial learning process. Real questions pop up — often important ones:

• -What's happening on the inside?
• -Are you happy?
• -Are you in an uncomfortable space? Why?
• -What are your heart and gut telling you?

The Essential Time For and With Yourself

Decreases Overall Stress

When constantly stressed (physical, mental, emotional), your body fatigues. Hormones get out of balance, immune system weakens, you can't think clearly, you're drained.

You need more stimulants and "quick fixes" to keep going. It's the beginning of a downward spiral.

Take this time off. Just breathe. You don't need to DO anything besides being with yourself. The hardest part is starting and being okay with it.

Improves Your Life

This time is critical for understanding yourself and improving your life literally. It's crucial to stay with yourself and FEEL IN PEACE.

At first, you might notice you're hard on yourself:

• -Angry at past mistakes
• -Inability to forgive yourself
• -Disliking the way you are or your body
• -Continuous negative self-talk

These thoughts are hard, so the temptation is to check your phone, watch TV, listen to podcasts.

But hang in there. These thoughts are clouds passing in front of an always-blue sky. They'll pass. Eventually they leave.

Meditation Deepens Connection

Spend time meditating (see my meditation blog): this is when you make the most of "me-time" and dig out conscious or unconscious internal struggles.

You'll learn so much about yourself that you'll actually love yourself.

Or simply:

• -Sit in a park in nature
• -Lay down at home or in grass
• -Close your eyes
• -Accept and let go of all thoughts without judgment
• -Be pure and loving with yourself

This Time Actually Saves Time

Taking time to reflect and step back from daily agitation makes you more efficient and productive. New ideas come that would never appear otherwise.

Yes, you heard right: taking time "off" for yourself wins you more time for the rest of your day/week/month.

This time helps you understand:

• -What should change in your life and how
• -Who you are and how to improve
• -Your relationships and work environment
• -Your own time to reflect for yourself

Your best friend is YOU. You listen to yourself, help yourself, love yourself, care for yourself.

Strength in Solitude

With time, you'll go back to this peaceful place whenever facing stressful situations. It becomes an incredibly powerful, peaceful place to be.

Make it your own way:

• -Walking
• -Listening to music
• -Meditating
• -Reading

Be connected to yourself and love yourself no matter what.

You'll realize that being at peace with yourself and nothing else around makes you much stronger in any situation.

Your well-being and happiness depend only on YOU. No one else is responsible. You're the one who makes it happen.

Self-love can do miracles. And no, this isn't selfish. By learning to know and love yourself, you can give much more quality love and time to anyone else.

Are you ready to have amazing time with yourself?

In Love and Happiness,

Stephanie