How to Make Time for Yourself (Even on the Busiest Days)

Some days, you barely have time to pee, let alone “make time for yourself.” And even when a pocket of time does appear, the guilt creeps in. Shouldn’t you be cleaning? Catching up on something? Helping someone else?

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We often talk about being busy, but underneath that is often a deeper story about why we feel bad taking space for ourselves. This post isn’t about hustling harder to find time. This isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing differently. The way you think about time is often the problem, not the time itself.

If life feels like a never-ending list and you don’t know where you’d even start, this post is for you. It’s not here to help you achieve balance — it’s here to help you carve out something for yourself in the middle of the chaos.

Make Time for Yourself by Claiming It

Let’s be real — if you’re waiting for life to slow down so you can finally make time for yourself, it’s probably not going to happen. Time doesn’t just appear. You have to take it — and sometimes that means grabbing it from the middle of the mess.

We’re taught to “earn” our rest. To finish everything else first. But that mindset has a way of pushing your needs right to the end of the queue. Sometimes, making time for yourself means letting the dishes sit a bit longer, stepping away from a task, or not replying straight away. It’s the small stuff that starts to add up.

And those moments only count if you take them. Not if you wait for someone to say it’s okay. It’s not selfish — it’s necessary. You don’t have to apologise for wanting a bit of space.

If this sounds familiar, the post on what actually helps when you’re too busy for self-care might also resonate with you.

Shrink the Definition of “Me Time”

When people say, “Take some time for yourself,” it can feel like they’re talking about spa days or silent retreats — great in theory, not so doable mid-chaos. But real self-time doesn’t need to be dramatic. It can be quiet. Scrappy. Five minutes long.

You might sit in your parked car before going inside. Read a page of your book while waiting for the water to boil. Walk to the shop without taking your phone. These small pockets matter. They count.

If noise and distraction make it harder to claim that space, a pair of noise-cancelling earbuds can help block out the world — even just long enough to finish your coffee in peace. A compact book light — or even a backlit Kindle — can turn bedtime scrolling into actual reading.

For more ideas on morning self-care, check out our post on morning self-care ideas if you’re looking for ways to ease into the day, even when it’s already busy.

Know What Recharges You

Not everything that appears to be self-care actually benefits you. You might be doing things that are supposed to be relaxing, but they leave you feeling just as drained. That’s not failure — it’s a sign to check in with what actually works for you.

Remember, there are numerous types of self-care. The best way to make time for yourself is by deciding what you want to do with that time.

Some people feel better after journaling. Others don’t. Some find screen-free time calming, while others recharge by watching reality TV with a snack and zero shame. For example, I can spend days reading, whereas my best friend can spend days watching true crime shows — both of us come away feeling reset in our own way. The goal isn’t to tick off the “right” activities — it’s to notice what actually shifts your energy.

A self-reflection journal can help you spot patterns in what’s working (and what’s not). A habit tracker notepad can give you a low-pressure way to test ideas and see what sticks without turning it into another task list.

Learn to Pause Without Guilt

This might be the hardest part — stopping without immediately justifying it. We’re so accustomed to measuring our worth by what we accomplish that the rest can feel like slacking off. But pausing doesn’t make you lazy. It makes you human.

There’s a difference between being still and being unproductive. Deciding to make time for yourself isn’t giving up — it’s resetting. Try reframes like: “Rest is preparation.” Or, “Breaks help me show up better.” Professional athletes refer to rest as “recovery time,” and to them, this period is essential. So, if it’s helpful to view it in this way, do it. Whatever helps you remember that guilt doesn’t earn you anything.

We go deeper into this mindset shift in our post on ways to practice self-care.

Build It Into What Already Exists

You might not have the luxury of a big-time block right now, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. One of the easiest ways to make time for yourself is to build it into something you’re already doing.

Walk the dog? Leave your phone at home and let your brain wander. Drinking coffee? Sit down with it instead of gulping it while doing three other things. Waiting for a load of washing to finish? Use a visual timer and take those ten minutes for yourself — no multitasking.

You can even try habit-stacking: pairing something you already do (like brushing your teeth) with something that reconnects you to yourself. That could be repeating a kind thought or pulling a mindfulness prompt card from the box and reflecting while the tap runs.

What Would It Look Like Today?

Deciding to make time for yourself doesn’t mean waiting for it to be earned; it means making a conscious choice to do so. It doesn’t have to look a certain way. And it definitely doesn’t need to wait until everything else is done.

Making time for yourself doesn’t necessarily mean you have to book in a full-blown self-care day.

What matters is that it’s yours — a moment that reminds you that you’re a person, not just a to-do list.

So ask yourself: what would that look like today? Five minutes of stillness? Saying no to one extra thing? Letting something be unfinished so you aren’t?

And if you’re not sure where to start, the daily self-care checklist is packed with manageable ideas that can be implemented even on the busiest days.

My posts may include affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase after clicking one of my links, I may receive a commission. But this will be at no extra cost to you. I only recommend things I trust and use myself (or have used). You can read my full disclaimer here.