How to Actually Make Time for Yourself When You’re Super Busy (Yes, It’s Possible!)

Let’s face it—life can feel like a never-ending cycle of responsibilities. Between work, family, social commitments, and everything in between, it often feels like there’s no time left for you. I’ve been there—feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and wondering how to fit in self-care when your plate is already overflowing. But here’s the good news: it’s absolutely possible to carve out time for yourself, even in the busiest of schedules. Not only is it possible, I would argue that is mandatory. We pour out so much into other people and situations, we HAVE to refill our cups or we won't have anything else left to give. And no, it doesn’t require some magical 25th hour in the day.

In this post, I’m going to walk you through exactly how to find time for yourself when you’re busy juggling everything life throws your way. Let’s dive in.

1. Shift Your Mindset: Self-Care is Non-Negotiable

The first step to making time for yourself is shifting your mindset around self-care. I will literally say this until every wonan realizes that it is not selfish to put your needs FIRST. Too often, we view it as an indulgence or something we’ll get to when there’s "enough time." Spoiler alert: that magical "free time" never comes. Life is always busy, and waiting for the perfect moment means you’ll always be pushing self-care to the back burner.

But here’s the thing: self-care isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. If you’re constantly running on empty, you won’t have the energy to show up for your family, friends, or work in the way you want. When you make self-care a priority, you’re not just taking care of yourself; you’re replenishing your energy so you can be more present and effective in all areas of your life. See how that works?

2. Do a Time Audit

Now, let’s get practical. Before you can make more time for yourself, you need to figure out where your time is going. That’s where a time audit comes in. For one or two days, track everything you do—from work tasks to scrolling social media to running errands. You’ll likely be surprised at how much time is spent on things that aren’t essential or fulfilling.

For example, maybe you spend an extra hour or two watching TV at the end of the day, or you realize you’re losing pockets of time scrolling through Instagram or TikTok. Once you have a clear picture of your day-to-day activities, it’s easier to see where you can make adjustments and reclaim time for yourself.

3. Identify and Prioritize Non-Negotiables

After completing your time audit, the next step is to identify your non-negotiables. What tasks or commitments are truly essential? What things must get done each day, and what could be cut back or delegated?

For many of us, we have more control over our time than we think. Maybe you can delegate a few chores to a family member or cut back on non-essential activities like that extra Netflix episode. I know right, *Gasp.* Hear me out though, by trimming unnecessary tasks, you’ll start to free up small pockets of time that can be dedicated to self-care.

Remember: It’s okay to say no to things that drain your energy or don’t serve you. Prioritizing yourself isn’t selfish—it’s how you maintain balance in your life. No is a complete sentence and needs no explanation.

4. Embrace Micro-Moments of Self-Care

One of the biggest misconceptions about self-care is that it requires a ton of time. But in reality, self-care can happen in small, meaningful moments throughout the day. You don’t need to book an entire spa day to feel recharged (though that’s always a nice treat!). Here are some examples of micro-moments of self-care that you can easily incorporate into your routine:

• Take 5 minutes to practice deep breathing or meditation during a work break.

• Stretch your body for 10 minutes in the morning to wake yourself up.

• Enjoy your morning coffee or tea without distractions—no phone, no emails, just you and your drink.

• Go for a quick 10-minute walk around the block to clear your mind and get some fresh air.

• Listen to your favorite song or podcast while driving to pick up the kids or run errands.

• Take a hot bath at night instead of a shower at least two times per week.

• Take about 15 minutes at the end of the day to write in a journal and dump your thoughts.

These small moments add up. Over time, they help you feel more grounded, refreshed, and in tune with yourself, even on your busiest days.

5. Schedule Your Self-Care (Yes, Like an Appointment)

We all know that what gets scheduled gets done. If you want to make time for yourself, it’s time to start treating self-care like any other important appointment. Block out small chunks of time each day or week specifically for you. This could be as little as 10-15 minutes, but the key is to make it a non-negotiable part of your routine.

Need help getting started? Here’s a quick tip: look at your calendar and find the gaps. Maybe it’s early in the morning before everyone else is awake or during lunch. Maybe it’s the 10 minutes before bed. Whatever works for you, schedule it, and stick to it. Don’t cancel on yourself.

Set reminders on your phone, write it in your planner, and treat this time as sacred.

Final Thoughts: You’re Worth It

Remember, making time for yourself isn’t about taking away from your other responsibilities—it’s about ensuring you have the energy and mental clarity to handle them. You deserve to feel rested, fulfilled, and connected with yourself, no matter how busy life gets.

So, start small. Take that 5-minute breather, enjoy a quiet moment in the morning, or schedule that mini "me-time" appointment. Over time, you’ll notice that prioritizing self-care becomes second nature—and that’s when the magic really happens.

You’ve got this. Let me know in the comments which tip resonated with you, and don’t forget: You’re worth the time.

Your Turn: What’s Your First Step?

If you’re ready to reclaim your time and prioritize self-care, I challenge you to take a small step today. Whether it’s a quick 5-minute break or scheduling your first self-care appointment, start now. And if you need more ideas, make sure to subscribe to my blog for more tips on self-care, health, and wellness.

Remember: The more you prioritize yourself, the more you’ll be able to give to the ones you love.