The Woman Who Had No Time
The Woman Who Had No Time
How do you tell a woman who says she doesn't have time to watch television or read a book that she should meditate, relax, or discover what truly fulfills her?
I recently found myself asking this question while serving jury duty. As I sat in a waiting room filled with strangers wondering whether we would be assigned to a trial, I struck up a conversation with another woman.
I mentioned that during a previous jury selection process, the attorneys asked prospective jurors questions such as, "What television programs do you watch?" and "What kinds of books do you read?"
She smiled and replied, "I don't have time for either."
She went on to explain that by the time she gets home from work, prepares dinner, helps her children with their needs, and gets them ready for bed, there is little energy left for anything else. Weekends are spent grocery shopping, doing laundry, cleaning the house, and catching up on all the tasks that couldn't be completed during the week.
As I listened, I realized how many women are living this reality. Some are raising children while working full-time. Others carry the added responsibility of caring for aging parents or relatives. Their days are filled with obligations, leaving little room for themselves.
So how do these women practice self-care?
The better question may be: What is the cost of not practicing self-care?
Over time, the consequences can be significant—burnout, chronic exhaustion, anxiety, depression, isolation, and declining physical health. When women continually put themselves last, they often find themselves running on empty.
Self-care does not have to mean a spa day, a weekend retreat, or an hour-long meditation practice. Sometimes it begins with small, intentional choices that create a little breathing room in an otherwise demanding life.
Here are a few ways women can begin caring for themselves:
Protect personal time by scheduling it on the calendar as you would any other important appointment.
Delegate household responsibilities when possible. Family members can share in the work of maintaining a home.
Seek support from siblings, relatives, friends, or community organizations.
Prioritize consistent, restorative sleep.
Make physical health a priority through regular movement, nourishing foods, and preventive healthcare.
Explore community resources, such as adult day programs, respite care services, or caregiver support groups.
Give yourself permission to take a ten-minute walk, enjoy a quiet cup of tea, read a few pages of a book, or meet a friend for a brief conversation.
Perhaps fulfillment doesn't begin with finding more time. Perhaps it begins with recognizing that you matter, too.
Even ten minutes of intentional self-care is a reminder that your wellbeing is not a luxury—it is a necessity.
"Your wellbeing is not something to earn after everything else is done. It is part of what allows you to do everything else."
