Like most other people, finding the time to do the things I enjoy sometimes gets placed on the back burner.

Either from work or undertaking more projects than is humanly possible, the taking care of me seems to get crossed off the list very often.

This past weekend during a memorial service I attended, I was reminded once again that in order to be a useful individual to others, it might require succumbing to my own needs on some occasions. 

The speaker used the example of oxygen masks on airplanes.

Flight attendants instruct passengers to first put the oxygen masks on themselves before helping a child or someone in need of assistance.

The reason for this is if you pass out from lack of air, you are no good to anyone else.

This concept is easy for me to understand, but hard to comprehend.

I pride myself in thinking I can fulfill all of my family’s needs, please the boss 100 percent and, of course, stay on top of the chores at home, which inevitably leaves very little time for myself.

And then what is really irrational is when I do decided to do something for myself, I will find myself feeling selfish sometimes, which then leads to a feelings of guilt.

It is just maddening how my thoughts can reduce me to a loser.

But those feelings of mine can also snowball me into a tizzy.

If I see someone having fun or doing something they enjoy (taking care of themselves), I can become green with envy and covered in bitterness.

I am sure most of you are saying, “Good thing she is married to a counselor!”

Well, in my defense, I know I am not the only person that has a hard time taking care of self.

I have plenty of family and friends that are feeling just as stressed out and depleted of energy as I am.

Obviously, I am not the source for answers in how to fix the problem, but a website I visited suggested eight ways that may get me on my way.

Number one — Decide that you deserve some time to yourself each day.

Ok, I would like some Terri-time.

Two — Decide how best to spend this time.

Well, that one is a doozy. It can be a challenge to figure out what you want to do if you have had a hard time doing it in the first place.

Three — Evaluate the things that are wasting your time each day.

I guess I could probably come up with a couple of things.

Four — Learn to say “No.”

No!

Five — Ask for help.

But what if they cannot do it as good as me?

Six — At the beginning of each week, take a few minutes to designate specific time slots for all that must be accomplished, including time for self-care. 

I like lists.

Seven — Commit to a minimum of 15 to 20 minutes of self-care time every day.

Starting small is probably a good idea.

And lastly — Create a daily ritual. 

The author said she found that by getting up 45 minutes before the rest of the family, she could enjoy her coffee and breakfast in solitude. I like that idea.

Tomorrow is Easter, a day to celebrate new life.

I think God would be pleased if he knew that new life includes taking care of me.

Terri Cowart Frazier is a staff writer for The Post. She can be reached at terri.frazier@vicskburgpost.com.