Hi there! Thanks so much for sticking with me through these 31 days. I’ve really enjoyed- and quite honestly, been challenged, by coming up with 31 Small Changes. Again, don’t overwhelm yourself with trying out all 31 at once- that would make for one stressed out woman and that is not the point!
Today I want to talk about a small change that I’m working on right now- and that is making time to be alone, in the quiet. With 4 kids around and a husband that works from home a few days a week, there really isn’t a lot of alone time to start with. And now that I’m working from home, when I am alone, I tend to fill up that time getting as much work done as possible so I can be done, or almost done, when I am with my family.
What that has done is left me one overwhelmed, frazzled mess at times. I know this about myself, yet it always comes down to this: choose to sleep till the kids get up, or get up an hour early to enjoy the quiet house. And sometimes, sleep really is the right answer. If I’ve been up with a sick kid at night or stayed up late spending time with Ben, I do need sleep. But we’ve actually done well about getting in bed at a decent hour lately, so getting up early hasn’t been quite as hard.
These are the benefits I’ve found of getting up early:
1.) I am able to have time to read my Bible before the day gets going. This alone is worth the effort.
2.) I am a borderline introvert, so having a bit of quiet time recharges me.
3.) I am happier when I have a little time alone to just be before having to make breakfast, make lunches on school days, start a load of laundry, etc.
4.) I (usually) have to snuggle my kids when they get up instead of having to rush, rush, rush because I’m just getting up.
5.) I just feel better getting up early. It’s hard at first, but once I’m awake, I feel energized. Once I’m fully awake, my mind is clear and focused as well.
How do you spend time alone? Is it hard for you to make that time?
About Kelli Hays
Such a great goal. I’ve noticed lately that I feel much more at peace on the days when I am able to sit in the quiet for a while before I start my day. Even if it means sitting down to eat breakfast, curled up on my couch, and watching I Love Lucy- rather than shoving breakfast in a ziploc bag to crash out of the door on time. The time alone to just do something I enjoy energizes me and gives me better focus the rest of the day. And you’re totally right about having the extra time to read the Bible. That always makes a difference in my day-probably because it makes a difference in my heart.