Do you find time to smile?
When was the last time you smiled spontaneously?
Seriously. Can you remember the last time you smiled? Or did something just because it made you smile?
If you’re thinking hard, trying to recall, it is time to find time to smile!
I’ve got a short 4-step exercise for you.
The aim of this exercise is to help you find room in your hectic schedule for tiny but powerful doses of bliss.
4-step exercise to find time to smile
Step 1
This is the first step to find time to smile.
Map a typical day.
Draw a circle and make a pie chart to represent how you spend your 24 hours on any given day.
For example: if you sleep 8 hours (good for you!) draw a slice that takes up one-third of the circle.
How much time do you spend on other things? Add whatever you like. Examples are:
- Work
- Household chores
- Cooking
- Exercise
Just an approximate value will do.
Mark them all on the circle as slices.
Done?
Okay! Next step now.
Step 2
Make a list of what you love, enjoy doing. No need to think too hard. Finish the following sentences with a different activity. And write down the first answer that comes to mind as usually this is the best answer.
I could blow an entire rainy afternoon ______________________________________
When I was a kid, I used to love ____________________________________________
I’ve always wanted to become really good at _________________________________
If I could do one thing every day of my life, it would be ________________________
I can lose track of time when I’m ___________________________________________
Nothing clears my head like _______________________________________________
When I’m feeling drained, all I want to do is _________________________________
I feel most connected to my body when I’m __________________________________
In my daydreams, I imagine myself ________________________________________
I get a shot of energy when I _______________________________________________
Fun, right? I’ll bet you are already smiling after filling the above blanks!
Step 3
Come back to the circle you made in step 1. Now redraw the time pie. Pencil in fun. Include at least some activities from your list in step 2. Maybe you won’t be able to do some on a daily basis, but some may actually be doable. Take a look at your typical day. Identify the time you spend on activities that are unrewarding or unnecessary. For example, tasks you can delegate. Tasks you can probably eliminate entirely. Then use up that time to find time to smile – scheduling activities that bring you joy and make you happy. How does your new schedule look?
Step 4
Nothing like a bit of accountability to get you to take consistent action on something. So now, your task is to tell someone. Call your BFF. Share the details of your new time schedule. Talk about the things you intend to do less of. Talk about the things you aim to do more of. And most important, ask her to check in with you from time to time to see if you are sticking to the new schedule. Experts say that people who share their plans with their personal cheerleader—because they care for you—are more motivated to do things and to achieve their goals.
So, there’s your 4-step exercise to find time to smile.
Hectic lives have made us too busy to pause and take joy in the little things. We need gentle reminders to tell us to find time to smile. It might seem a little hilarious when someone tells you to stop what you are doing and breathe—but that little action could very well save you from stress-related health issues. Sometimes the smallest things bring the biggest benefits whether or not we realize it.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this.
I also want to know:
Did you smile today?
♥
Wednesday Wisdom is a series with short bursts of easy-to-consume wisdom in the form of inspiring stories, verse, quotes, anecdotes, reflections, easy meditation, thought-provoking questions and humor.
5 comments
In times like these it is difficult to find time to smile. When I want to smile I just to the hashtag dogs of instagram and I get more than my daily dose of smiles. It never fails to make me happy and bring cheer to my day.
Sunita Saldhana recently posted…Artist’s Date #2 : Projector Film Club, Thane
Ooh, I luuuurve this exercise! Especially step 2!! What Fun! Even though I smile lots every day because I have so many exciting things going on in my life right now, I’m going to do step 2. With my son. Right now. As playtime.
This would make a grrrreat PDF download. Canva has some cool templates! Enjoy! 🙂
Lauren Kinghorn recently posted…Your Practitioner can Recreate Your Smile after an Accident
whenever I’ve to smile I go through my photo albums. I do follow your step one I map the day divide my chores and i love it when I see multiple ticks on my list. I’ll try your step too it seems fun enough that the thought of it made me smile.
Richa MIna recently posted…30 Things To Do During #Lockdown
Oh, I smiled a LOT today while watching Justin Trudeau’s hair flip meme. It had such a lovely SRK’s song and Justin looked oh sooooo handsome! Since then, I am smiling and in fact I am smiling even as I type this! Have you watched that video?
This is a cool exercise. Doing step 2 will be fun and will remind of the things one loves and enjoys!
Shilpa Garg recently posted…20 Cool Words Every Book Lover Should Know
hello there,
great post . in these days of lockdown we have forgotten the meaning of a smile
and we don’t know how to smile these days
very Unique post loved it
going to share this.