Finding Time for Your Witchery...

In today's paused world, there are so many more demands upon our time, and attention. Even if you don't have children at home, the 24/7 link to your career/job/work via our devices fills the time quickly! There are no more clear boundaries of when is 'work time' and when is your own personal time. They bleed into one another in these unusual global times.

Angela Quinn, Clinician at the Jefferson Center, says: "Although some might interpret the remote work setting as a chance to buckle down and use free time for maximum productivity, others might feel overwhelmed by the number of changes in such a short period of time. When it comes to creating balance one of the first things you need to do is manage your expectations and give yourself understanding and forgiveness."

Alison Green, the owner of the website, Ask a Manager, received this response: "I live in a tiny apartment, and I’ve had to install a desk about three feet from my bed. It’s hard to unplug from work at the end of the day when my computer and all my work stuff is just sitting there in my line of sight. I feel less like I’m working from home and more like I’m living at work."

We need our downtime!

Dana Dorfman, Ph.D., MSW, says: "Physical and emotional separations or boundaries are essential to healthy adult relationships," she says. "While humans are social creatures who rely on relationships and connection for emotional survival, we also need time alone to think, nourish, and care for ourselves. That's what replenishes our individuality."

Many of us witchy folks have other lives, and responsibilities outside of our witchy workings. So, how do you find time for yourself, your responsibilities, your family &/or loved ones, and for your witchery??

Here are some tips from experts:

1) Dana Dorfman suggests finding small pockets of time for yourself -- small chunks -- 5 minutes of just ALONE time where you do not have to be responsible for anyone, or anything. You can just focus on yourself. Once, you identify these five minutes, now slowly add on to it.

2) Alyza Berman, licensed clinician social worker, suggests creating better boundaries. Get dressed, kiss your family/spouse good-bye and go to your designated place/area/space in your home, to work. And, they are NOT allowed to barge in! While this may be tough for some in smaller spaces, even a modified corner can be utilized and put up a curtain, or place a divider around the space to block it off from view.

3) Take turns with your spouse/family members on who will take care of the kids each evening/weekend/week. Have a rotating schedule at home to embed a schedule of YOU time into your life.

4) Get some exercise outdoors, says Zero to Three, such as walking, hiking and biking. These are safe and allow you time to de-stress as well.

In addition to the above, I've found that waiting for the naturally quiet times of your home is a great way to get your downtime/alone time. Whether that's earlier in the day, or late in the evening. While this may require you getting up earlier, or setting the alarm to wake you up at an unusual time -- do what you need to in order to get your self-care handled. Even if you do this once, or only twice a week, you will begin to look forward to this time more and more and it will bring you immeasurable joy and peace to be with your own thoughts and do your witchy business!

As this carved out time shapes up, you can now add it to your calendar -- Yep, make yourself just as important as everyone and everything else! And, you can schedule specific things you want to do/accomplish during that time.

Plan out your rituals by the moon phases and put it in the calendar invites to yourself -- this way, you'll stay on top of all of the moon/astrological phases you want to keep track off.

Remember, you're JUST as important as ______ (fill in the blank with whatever, or whoever, you've given priority to!).

Love you all muchly,

Zurri