“Stop and smell the roses,” people often say.  Then they smile 
ruefully, because everybody knows there isn’t enough TIME to 
stop or, as my daughter says, to “chill.”  

This is the Conventional Wisdom – and I’m here to tell you that 
the CW is simply WRONG.  Researchers in Positive Psychology 
find that people actually get more done if they take time out to 
SAVOR their day.  Not only that, but, over time, people who set 
aside a few hours every week are likely to be healthier, more 
relaxed, and better able to cope with the stresses of everyday 
life.

Why not try it?  Give yourself the gift of Savoring. (Hey, 
stress is all you have to lose!)   

To start, make a list of 10 things you REALLY enjoy doing, 
whether or not you’ve made time for them lately.  I’m talking 
about stuff that gives you real pleasure.  They may be things 
you do alone, or with one other person, or with a group.  Look 
over the list, and see if one thing says “pick me.”  Choose 
one of those activities that you enjoy.  

Now:  Take out your calendar, and SOME TIME IN THE NEXT MONTH, 
block out at least a 2-hour period that is JUST FOR YOU.  Half 
a day is better.  A whole day is best of all.  Do whatever is 
needed to make that time free.  Ask a neighbor to baby-sit.  
Tell your spouse you’ll be busy.  Say “no” to the half-dozen 
requests that will almost certainly challenge your Savoring 
Time.	

And when Your Day comes . . . GO FOR IT, whether you’re making a 
picture, walking in the woods, going to a movie, or just sitting 
still.  What matters is that you’re doing something you really 
enjoy.  


These tricks will help you get the most out of your day:  

 · Give yourself permission – this is Your Day.  It is absolutely
   100% okay for you to be taking this time.  Leave your cell
   phone at home, or at least turned off.  When kill-joy thinking
   comes along (and it will),  play with it.  Pretend it’s a 
   stick floating in a stream, and just let it drift away.

 · Keep the day alive – collect a souvenir or take mental 
   photographs to help you hold on to this special time.

 · Focus – as though you were taking a photograph, adjust the 
   “depth of field.”  Focus on selected aspects of the experience
    and let the others go.

 · Immerse Yourself – Try not to analyze the experience, just 
   be there.  You’re savoring, remember?

 · Tell the story – Share your experience with a friend or 
   partner – the joy that’s shared multiples by ten.

 · Write it down.  Read it over as a reminder in a few days 
   or weeks.

When your Savoring time is over, celebrate!  Pat yourself on 
the back for challenging the Conventional Wisdom.  And, while 
you’re at it, why not take out your calendar and make another 
date for Savoring Your Day? 

© 2004-2005 Maureen Killoran

Maureen Killoran, MA, DMin,  is a Life Coach and Unitarian 
minister, with a passion for helping people connect their 
strengths with their vision.  Maureen  offers dynamic  
individual and group coaching,  work team empowerment training, 
teleclasses, and a free monthly e-zine, "Seeds of Change."
http://www.spiritquestcoaching.com