Why it’s so hard to make time for yourself (and how to fix it)
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve meant to do something for myself… and then it just doesn’t happen. The day gets busy. Someone needs something. The washing cycle ends so it’s time to put things on the line. And just like that, the quiet moment I promised myself slips away.
If that sounds familiar, please know: you’re not doing anything wrong.
So many of the women I talk to —especially those navigating work, stress, and perimenopause—tell me they want to feel calmer and more connected. But actually making time for self-care? That’s the hard part.
And it’s not because you’re lazy or unmotivated. It’s because life is full on, and we’ve been taught that our needs should come last.
Why is it so hard to carve out time for self-care?
For starters:
Guilt. We feel bad putting ourselves first, even for ten minutes.
Productivity pressure. We think we have to “earn” rest.
Perfectionism. We think self-care has to be a 90-minute yoga class, a whole day at a spa, or why bother at all?
So we wait for the perfect moment—which rarely comes.
But what if it didn’t have to be perfect?
What if taking care of yourself could be...
Two deep breaths before you open your laptop.
A slow, gentle stretch while the kettle boils.
Five minutes lying on the floor with your legs up the wall.
That’s what my new Self-Care Experiments are all about—tiny, do-able shifts that actually fit into your real life. No pressure. No perfection. Just permission.
3 easy ways to make self-care part of your week
Pair it with something you already do.
Stretch after you brush your teeth.
Breathe deeply while the coffee brews.
Attach your self-care habit to an existing routine—it’s easier than starting from scratch.Put it in your calendar.
Literally. Write “Stretch” or “Lie on the floor and do nothing” in your diary like it’s an appointment. Because it is. With yourself.Let someone else hold the space for you.
If it feels impossible to make time, come to a class or retreat with me. It’s built-in. It’s structured. You don’t have to plan or think or do—it’s just there, waiting for you.
Come reset with me
If you’ve been stuck in the cycle of “I know I should but I can’t seem to do it,” I invite you to come to class this week.
My yoga sessions are designed for busy people who are ready to feel better in their bodies, reconnect with themselves, and finally prioritise their wellbeing—gently and joyfully.
