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Lisa's week: Grabbing some “me time”
In this modern, connected life we lead today, many of us need some “me time” every now and again. And if you’re an introvert like me, “me time” is even more important. What is it exactly? Well basically, it’s time just for you. Time to relax. Time to enjoy your own company. Time to do just what you want to do. Now that might be to go out and train hard to run a marathon, or it might be to flop down in front of the TV, and that’s going to be different for everyone. But the principle is that everyone needs some time just for them.
Various online German-English dictionaries list this as “Zeit für mich selbst” or Ich-Zeit” and maybe the English expressions “down time” or even “free time” sound similar.
But somehow, it’s taken on a wider meaning. I found lots of articles online about how important it is for our health and well being to have “me time” every day. With all the responsibilities we have in our lives today – job, spouse, children, health, caring for the older generation (parents) or even the younger generation (grand-children), home, lifestyle, friends – we can often feel like there’s little space for us. That’s when “me time” comes in. It’s about really switching off. There is no “should” or “must” when it comes to this. It’s important to do exactly what you want to do that doesn’t involve work or chores and has everything to do with putting yourself to the top of the list – if only for 5 minutes.
The phrase itself is relatively new, possibly brought on in recent years by the fact that we are always with others – whether in reality or virtually. We are rarely alone and when we are, we’re checking in on social media or sharing details of our lunch on Instagram J. “Me time” really has that idea of being alone but you can also get “me time” within a group if you are doing something just for you – a yoga class for example or a massage.
I don’t know when I first heard the expression but I caught onto it immediately. During the day, I spend most of my time in a room with students, talking. A lot. Making small talk is my job after all! So outside work, I spend a lot of time alone, participating in quiet “me time”. I need it and I always feel re-energised to face the world again afterwards. Sometimes, I really do just go out on the balcony and sit down with a drink and stare out into nowhere, allowing my thoughts to wander. I can lose hours like that. But mostly, I come into my room and get creative. With pretty paper and family stories and photographs. But that’s a topic for Lisa’s Week another time!
So, go out and grab some “me time” today – you’ll feel better for it.
What is Lisa's week?
"We’ve (hopefully) been entertaining you so far with the meaning and background of a weekly English idiom and now we’ve decided to expand that a little to give me the chance to share some details that come my way in my daily life as a Business English teacher. I hope to find weekly tidbits of information and experience to tell you about such as British traditions that I (or we) celebrate, or typical mistakes made when speaking English, or even some of the funny things I come across in my daily life. We hope that you’ll enjoy the insight into the life of a Brit in Germany!"
Episode 1: The Queen's 90th birthday
Episode 2: What did you do last Sunday?
Episode 3: What's the best way to answer?
Episode 4: The sound of London
Episode 5: Not just a last resort
Episode 6: Quick tip of the week: advice vs. advise
Episode 10: Quick tip of the week - Are you watching or just looking?
Episode 11: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
Episode 12: Don't forget to take you handy to the public viewing!
Episode 13: Up in the Highlands
Episode 14: Quick tip of the week - "Popular" false friends
Episode 16: Through the tunnel
Episode 18: Quick tip of the week - Rise vs. raise vs. arise
Episode 19: How do you say that?
Episode 22: Can you change a fiver?
29.09.2016