#MeTimeSept is the month where I clear my diary of all work and volunteering commitments, delete IG & WhatsApp groups and rest!
#MeTimeSept 2021 onwards....
2021 - How it started
How did #MeTimeSept start?
In September 2021, I had the cover of my life thus far when Brenda Rock asked me to cover her week on Silver Island Yoga (thanks Brenda, still smile deeply when I share this fact!). I also had Level 2 Restorative training with my teacher and friend Anna Ashby and was at Vipassana August Bank Hols to into Sept. Cover wise it felt so "bitty" and confusing when I was in/out and it didn't feel fair to students or studios as everyone was trying to find their post pandemic routine.
Then 💡 moment I decided to take the month off which offered clarity to me, students and studios! Plus an opportunity to offer fellow teachers a month's cover at a still uncertain see-saw numbers time. With covers sorted in good time, #MeTimeSept was created!
2022 - How it evolved
Why am I having #MeTimeSept?
To pause, to rest to reconnect to my breath. To give myself an opportunity to deeply experience what I offer through Restorative yoga. In 2021 I gained so much space from the rest in Sept and came back refreshed in Oct.
What did I do during September?
Rested with no agenda!
What I DIDN'T do during September?
1. Replied to any work or volunteer emails, texts or voicemails.
2. Post on IG as the app was removed from my phone for the month. I had been following Paula Hines' advice re #SwitchOffSundays for a year now (Paula has been doing so for 7 years!) so made sense to create more space as I rested and #SwitchedOffSept!
2023 - Why it's different
Why is #MeTimeSept 2023 different?
Errrr....cost of living crisis! 🙄 Have had to face facts and realise that it's really not possible (or sensible ☺️) to take a month off unpaid! Last year was fortunate to cash in a small workplace pension as when you reach 55 some schemes allow you to draw pension. No such fortune in 2023 when the cost of living crisis has meant my small monthly pension that wasn't intended for bills/food shopping is being used for exactly that!
☀️ What will #MeTimeSept 2023 look like?
Instead of the whole month off, it will be 10 days 1 - 10 Sept. I will, as previous years, rest with no agenda and not prebook any socials. It's a beautiful feeling waking up naturally, no alarm, no agenda and deciding what to do.
☀️ Will you still delete the IG app for Sept?
Oh yes! Time off social media is vital, each Sunday I delete the app to create space. Last year after month of not scrolling (and all the varying emotions that go with that) and resting with no agenda I truly felt spacious when I returned to work in Oct, revitalised.
☀️Surely you won't feel as rested after 10 days?
I'll try my best to create as much rest even with 10 days. I will remove myself from WhatsApp Chat groups as found that helpful too last year, as genuinely don't have a fear of missing out on anything. I am content with my life, love being self employed and being where I believe I am supposed to be.☀️
2024 - #MeTimeDecember
Why #MeTime in December?
I found last December "frenetic"! I felt an increased sense of commerciality and busyness around Christmas that I hadn't noticed since the pandemic, maybe it was "fully unrestricted, back to normal" behaviour but felt uncomfortable as I travelled (work & socially) so decided this year I'd avoid it by moving #MeTime month to Dec, hibernating at home! Plus we know class attendance drops hence timetables have to adapt so felt Dec made so much sense.
Crisis
This would have been my 7th year volunteering at Crisis at Christmas, but I will be honouring my full month of rest so will miss this year but definitely return in 2025. I hope you'll still donate to Crisis at Christmas this year, I will be. Thanks for helping smash my target every year
What does #MeTimeDec❄️ rest look like?
I will, as previous years, rest with no agenda and not prebook any socials. It's a beautiful feeling waking up naturally, no alarm, no agenda and deciding what to do!
Some things that won't be and may happen during #MeTimeDec:
❄️ I won't be on social media, this app will be deleted 🙅🏾
❄️ I won't be reading any work emails, the account will be switched off in settings 🙅🏾
❄️ I won't be pre booking socials🙅🏾
❄️ I won't be travelling into Zone 1, if travelling at all!:)🙅🏾
❄️ Reading new books from Tricia Hersey, We Will Rest & Octavia Raheem, Rest Is Sacred will more than likely feature ✔️
❄️ Staying in bed until I feel like getting up is very likely!:)✔️
❄️ Watching My Netflix List may feature✔️
❄️ Resting in my favourite Restorative posture, Supta Baddha Konāsana (Reclining Bound Angle/Cobbler’s Pose) will most definitely feature!✔️