It can feel impossible to find time for yourself in a schedule that eats up all of your time. Whether you’re into hustle culture or not, life gets busy and there’s always something that demands your time and attention. It’s typical for our own wants and needs to take the back seat. But that isn’t sustainable for the long-haul, especially if you’re wanting to live a life that includes self-care.

So, how do you find time for yourself when you have no time?

It comes down to what your priorities are. Everyone's schedule is different and only you can set your priorities. Unfortunately, there's no one-size-fits-all solution for time management.

The question then becomes, what can you afford to let go of to have more time for yourself? This could look like:

• Getting up an hour earlier
• Taking an hour or two off of work
• Cancelling a social event
• Finding childcare to free up an evening

Almost everything will come with a benefit and a sacrifice. It is up to you to choose what you’re willing to sacrifice.

Striking a balance and making decisions takes work and dedication. As you navigate taking charge of your time and ultimately your life, you’ll find that making time for yourself will come naturally. Until then, here are some pointers to help you on your way.

Put self-care in your schedule.

And treat it like an appointment that can't be cancelled. Schedule it in and honour that time set aside for you. Everyone has their own method of self-care. It could look like taking a nap, taking extra time to care for your body, gaming, being quiet in nature, reading, going to therapy, taking time for pleasure, finally checking things off your to-do list . . . Whatever it looks like, feel no shame. This is a you do you to recharge, boo . Get it.

Be okay with saying no.

This is easier said than done. Standing up for what you need often comes in hand with disappointing someone. That is okay. It is better to live a life that is authentic and life-bringing to you rather than one that is exhausting due to people-pleasing. Know your capacity, know what you need, and remain strong as you stand up for yourself.

Set boundaries with yourself for yourself.

If you tend to push yourself past your limits then hit burnout, you're in good company. It's too easy to take on too much and pay for it later. Burnout not only affects you. It affects everyone in your life — in your work, family, and relationships. Trust me, it's worth setting boundaries before you hit burnout. This could look like:

• Checking in with yourself and taking an honest look at your capacity.
• Asking yourself: Will adding more to your schedule take away personal time to recharge? How will that sacrifice affect you and others in your life?

It’s healthy to prioritize yourself and know what your limits are. It's also good to realize that your capacity is fluid and will change from week to week or season to season. Honour and love yourself where you are at as you grow and flow through life.

You're worthy and deserve time for yourself. Taking charge and being assertive about what you need isn't always easy, but it's worth it. Live a life that's full of honour — for yourself, for others, and for the planet. Happy recharging.

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Jade is a writer, potter, and gardener living in a sleepy town in Northern Ontario. They love growing food, creating functional stoneware, and hermiting with a book as much as possible.