a little "me" time

A few weeks ago, my best friend from college moved to New York. She didn't have a bed, so she couch surfed, sharing beds with friends, relegated to sleeping on futons. By the end of the week, she was exhausted. "Ya frustrated?" A friend of ours said to her. "Need a little me time?" He was jesting at her, but the answer was yes. Yes, yes. I need a little me time. Everyone needs a little me time.

  When I was a little girl, my mom would put me in my room for an hour every afternoon. After she put my brother and sister down for naps, she would lead me upstairs to my little room with flowered wallpaper. We would whisper as she would set me up with a few dolls, a favorite book, make sure blankie was there in case I got lonely. Then she would close the door softly and I had a whole hour to myself, to do whatever I pleased. I loved my quiet time. I like to think it fostered my active imagination. I would spend the hour looking out the window, playing little games with myself, reading my books, brushing my dolls' hair. I was too old for naptime, but quiet time was a ritual for quite a few years.

This was important for my mom, too, because she got a little time to chill out. I still love to go in my bedroom, shut the door, and have it be very quiet. No music, no television. Sometimes I read a book or a magazine. Sometimes I just try to quiet my mind for a bit. I don't like being alone all the time, but trust me, if you just spend a little while every day unattached to anyone, simply reading or being quiet for a bit, you'll be happy.