All I Want For Christmas

The internet is abuzz this time of year with lists of gifts to buy for everyone, including the writer in your life. And sure, I wouldn’t mind another pen and notebook set, or a scarf covered in Jane Austen quotes, or a Harry Potter-themed board game, but I don’t need any of those things.

There is only one thing I need for 2018, and I’m sure many people will agree with me.

All I want for Christmas is… time.

Time Flies © Michel Curi / Flick

Yes, I know we all have the same 24 hours each day and it’s really up to me to use my available time more productively, but believe me, time is the most fleeting commodity in my life right now, what with working full-time again and being a mother to a nearly two-year old boy. By the time the little one is in bed, I’m ready to follow suit fifteen minutes later, completely exhausted. Yes, I know I could probably watch a little less TV in the evenings or write a book instead of reading a book right before bedtime, but at the end of the day I honestly don’t have any energy left.

I’m sure I’m not the only one.

If there’s one thing I learned this year, it’s that I need to make time for the things that make me happy. Time for writing, and yes, time for fun. But where do I find more time?

During NaNoWriMo last year, I got up at 4:45 every morning to write for an hour before it was time to get ready for work. This worked extremely well for me. I recently read a post from one of my favourite travel bloggers turned writer about her new 5:15 wake-up routine that’s changed her life, and I’m wondering – should I try this too?

I’ve been thinking about it the last few days. It’s summer here in the southern hemisphere, which means it won’t be as dark anymore at that time of the morning. It’s not cold either. And although I love being snuggled up in bed until at least 7:00 (if I had my way), this would be the perfect time to experiment with an early morning rise.

Think about it – an extra hour every day to do with as I please! I could write, read, do some yoga, build a jigsaw puzzle, play a MMO… the possibilities are endless!

I think the motivation is there, and the act itself should be reward enough. The only restriction is that this should entirely be me-time: no guilty thoughts about what I should be doing instead and no social media (sorry Facebook, it’s not you, it’s me).

I’m going to try it for a week and see how it goes… If it works, this will be the best from-me-to-me Christmas present ever! Will you join me?

Do you struggle to find time to do the things that make you happy? How do you manage your time? Are you an early morning riser, or do you prefer to stay up late into the night? What are your best productivity hints for those of us who need to manage our time better?

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