Tips for Balancing Your Need for "Me Time" While Maintaining Connections with Others

You love spending time with your family and friends. But maybe you’re an introvert who also needs your own space. Sometimes, it can be tough to communicate this to your loved ones.

Some people may not understand your need for alone time. Others might feel confused when you choose to do things by yourself. And sometimes, people may feel offended if you turn down an invitation. But if you try stretching yourself too thin with social commitments, you’ll feel overwhelmed and burnt out.

Finding the right balance between “me time” and time with the people you love is key. These tips will help you find a way to honor your own needs while maintaining your connections.

Set Clear Boundaries

Remember, you have every right to set boundaries for yourself. If a friend calls you up when you genuinely need a few hours to yourself to wind down, it’s perfectly okay to say that you can’t hang out on that particular day.

On the same token, make sure to emphasize that you just need your downtime and that it’s not anything personal.

Turn Off Your Phone

Do you ever find yourself checking your phone, even when you want to relax by yourself? You might come to realize that this drains your energy. When you feel you always need to make yourself available, you might not feel as motivated to spend time with the people in your life.

And when you see them, you may not be truly present in the moment. In the future, try putting your phone in a drawer during “me time.” You’ll feel genuinely refreshed and recharged, and you’ll be ready to see the people you love.

Check In With Yourself

Sometimes, it can be tough to figure out when you truly need time on your own or when you’re simply feeling a little hesitant to go out of your comfort zone and attend an event. Take a moment to just check in with yourself and see how you really feel.

You can even meditate for a few minutes to center yourself. You may find that you actually want to go out, but you’re just a bit nervous. Or maybe you’ll realize that turning down a particular invitation is for the best.

Leave Early

You go to meet with some friends, and as the hours drag on, you begin to feel pretty tired. You have a long day tomorrow, and you generally like to have an hour or two for your evening routine so that you can be fully prepared for the next morning without rushing.

Saying goodbye early is perfectly respectful! You don’t want to dip out without saying anything, but recognizing that you need to leave a particular event is not rude. Say your goodbyes to your friends and head home for some time to yourself to get the best of both worlds.

Try Low-Maintenance Activities

Maybe you want to spend more time with your loved ones, but big social events are pretty overwhelming for you. Why not suggest a few low-maintenance activities instead?

Rather than going out to dinner with a big group, you could meet with one or two friends for coffee. Or rather than going out for drinks, you could try joining a book club where the atmosphere is more relaxed. This can be a good way to balance your needs.

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Are you having trouble finding time for yourself while making time for your loved ones? Do you struggle to establish boundaries? Therapy can help you navigate these scenarios. Reach out to us today to discuss your options for scheduling your first session.