Welcome to our new series called My Time. Ways to make that two minutes a day you have for yourself a bit better.

As much as we love to spoil our kids, once and a while we need to spoil ourselves. Here are a few things I recommend that don’t cost a lot, but can make a big difference in the way you feel and handle your day.

Pick your song and play it. Music is a great motivator, but old McDonald over and over, can only go so far. Get a CD, make a CD or download your favorite songs. Listening to the music you love inspires and gets you grooving. You can pick different songs for different things; yard work, washing the car, or laundry. Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” is my favorite for housework. Whatever you like to listen to, go ahead and play it often.

Beautiful Bath Products. Who can resist a luxurious bath bomb or indulgent soap?  Just a few minutes soaking in the tub with a candle and the lights low can invigorate the spirit and soothe the soul. I seem to have a lot of such items given to me by friends that I always save for special occasions. No more saving, time to enjoy them now. For just a few dollars pick up a bag of Epsom Salts from the drug store; your body won’t care that it didn’t come in pretty packaging, it will still feel great.

Resume your hobby. Be it photography, scrap booking, needlepoint, or gardening. Find the time to resume the hobby or hobbies you love. Set aside at least one day a month to enjoy using that creative side of your brain. Just the smallest bit of personal diversion will mean a lot to you. Plus it teaches your kids the value of hobbies and the importance of finding a pastime you love.

Just be Silly. It is true when they say laughter is the best medicine. The other day my husband started tickling me and before I knew it, both us and the kids were laughing uncontrollably. Making a funny face at a tense moment, starting an impromptu race, spontaneously playing hide-n-seek or just making something routine a bit more fun can break the monotony of every day and easily become a moment to remember.

It may not seem like much, but making these few small adjustments in your day may help you feel happier and more relaxed inside. It doesn’t take a lot of money or planning, it’s making you important that counts.

Standing on my Soapbox,

JB