A majority of respondents to a recent Women In Optometry poll said that they would like to be a little kinder to themselves this year. Nearly 80 percent said that this year, they’ll take a little more time for themselves.
A number of ODs say that even if they do some things that bring them joy or satisfaction now, they’ll like to do more in the year to come. Physical exercise, reading or journaling and spending time with friends are the top activities that people would like to do more of. Cooking is the one activity listed that fewer people would like to do this year with their spare time.
Work demands are the top reason why people don’t take time for themselves, cited by 80 percent of respondents.
Another 58 percent that household chores and duties keep them from doing more for themselves.
Money is a factor cited by 37 percent of respondents.
A general sense of guilt was noted by 27 percent.
No partner or friend to engage with was cited by almost 14 percent of respondents.
Other respondents wrote in answers such as lack of planning, lack of motivation, fatigue, school and children as reasons for not taking more time for themselves.
Respondents also shared these strategies for making time for themselves.
