Schedule an appointment with yourself

We often hear people saying, 'I have no time; I am busy; my schedule is packed'. This shows that we are constantly busy, which often leads to neglecting personal needs and this negatively impacts mental well-being. As modern life becomes increasingly hectic, self-care is becoming more important. Self-care does not require a significant amount of time; however, it requires careful planning and execution to be effective and sustainable.
One such plan is to make an appointment with oneself to engage in self-care activities. The expression 'schedule an appointment with yourself' refers to making time for oneself, such as booking personal time on your calendar in the same manner as you would for a dentist, hairdresser, colleague, or client.
We all run the risk of believing that thumbing our phones or letting our fingers move across a keyboard constitutes active participation in our lives. However, active participation constitutes being actively 'involved' with others and spending time introspecting, which can help explore our inner selves and uncover our true selves.
We can become wiser and better through genuine contact with ourselves. How many appointments on your calendar are truly for yourself? That is, how frequently do you set aside time to look after yourself and achieve something that fuels your spirit or replenishes your energy? The chances of this happening are very slim. Self-care activities, including mental, emotional, physical, artistic, recreational, social, relational and spiritual care, are often ignored during hectic times because they are not scheduled on the calendar.
Frequent self-appointments provide individuals with respite from external pressures, helping them reduce stress and anxiety. According to psychological studies, solitude and self-examination enhance self-awareness and emotional control, tackling the modern problem of perpetual constant activity, which leads to emotional exhaustion.
Making an appointment for oneself is a deliberate choice that honours one’s time, self-care, introspection and personal development. Top-performing companies in the world, such as Apple, Salesforce, General Mills, Nike, Procter & Gamble, Aetna, Bellabeat and JPMorgan Chase, have constructed meditation rooms, relaxation spaces, wellness centers and quiet areas where staff members can meditate, take a nap, pray, or simply have some alone time for introspection and quiet self-reflection.
We are increasingly busy with meetings, calls and emails, which leave little time for reflection and self-communication. The routine of immediately reaching for smartphones in the morning spurs a relentless pace of technology use. However, successful organisations such as 3M, Google and Intel emphasise the importance of ‘thinking time’ in the workplace, allowing employees to dedicate a portion of their hours (approximately 10 %–20 %) to generating creative ideas. Samsung's Creative Lab offers similar allocations for innovative projects. Nevertheless, these practices only bear fruit if employees practice self-appointments, as they enhance problem-solving, long-term planning and creativity by shifting the focus from immediacy to results-driven outcomes. It may be essential to reconsider the importance of solitude and thinking time, as technology often dominates our schedules and limits our personal times. Taking time for yourself shows that you are worth more than your social and work identity. It also promotes authenticity by aligning one’s life with one’s values, rather than with external influences.
Strategies for keeping self-appointments
•Acknowledge the need for self-appointment. Believing that self-care is neither selfish nor self-indulgent is crucial for mental health, as it lowers stress and anxiety and promotes a balanced life.
•Treat self-care appointments with the same importance as any other commitment on your calendar. Make a conscious decision to prioritise your schedule, allowing for occasional rescheduling for valid reasons, but avoid repeatedly cancelling, as it undermines the respect you owe yourself.
•Do not completely change your schedule at once to accommodate self-appointments. Schedule one self-appointment per day or week and regard it as a top priority. Increase the frequency as you continue to fulfil this promise to build self-confidence.
•Decide on the purpose of the meeting. Choose whether you want to use it for planning, relaxation, introspection, or simply to enjoy something you love.
•Select a quiet location, ideally free from distractions, such as a park, an empty room at home, or a library, as it can enhance focus.
•You should turn off your Internet connection and quiet your mobile device to give your brain uninterrupted time, which can be disturbed by incoming emails or messages.
•Be present and kind to yourself and try not to dwell too much on previous mistakes and lost opportunities. Focus on your future goals and draw lessons from the past while acknowledging what has happened.
•After the meeting, review your emotions and accomplishments and decide what to do next. Develop the practice of regular reflection and incorporate it into your daily routines.
Companies in Oman should create quiet areas and promote their active use to facilitate employee self-reflection and foster a stress-free and focused work environment. Making time for oneself is not a luxury; it is vital for mental wellbeing and productivity; and requires self-control and effective communication to avoid perceptions of selfishness.
Scheduling personal meetings fosters balance in life and encourages introspection regarding one’s personal values and aspirations. Authentic engagement goes beyond digital interactions and necessitates reflection and genuine self-connection for personal development. Finally, remember that you are your most valuable client; therefore, schedule time to engage in reflection, which can help clarify your purpose and enhance self-appreciation. I am sure you will agree after the meeting; you are pleasant company!