Chicken Soup for the Soul: Making Me Time: 101 Stories About Self-Care and Balance

by Amy Newmark

“Me time” is the cure for what ails you. You know you need it. Here’s how to take care of yourself so that you can be the very best version of you!  Do you ever say that you’ll take care of yourself after you finish your to-do list? The personal, revealing stories in this book will convince you to put yourself at the top of that list. Self-care and life balance are what we all neglect most. These 101 true stories from people who turned their lives around will show you how to take care of your physical and mental health. You’ll be inspired by people who have taken back control of their lives and carved out that all-important “me time,” whether that means exercising, reading, meditating, seeing friends, or communing with nature. Whatever your psyche needs is your form of “me time” and that’s something that you deserve. There are many approaches, and at least one of them is bound to work for you. In these pages, you’ll read about men and women Put an hour for themselves on their daily to-do lists Pursued long-delayed sports, hobbies, or volunteer work Discovered themselves through travel, fitness, or new careers Learned to ask for help instead of doing it all Started treating themselves as well as they would treat a guest Stopped seeing the people who weren’t making them happy Rediscovered the benefits of exercising and being outside in nature Created their own personal spaces in their homes or outdoors Decluttered their calendars or their homes—and felt liberated

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction

365 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 16, 2021

About the author

Amy Newmark is the bestselling author, editor-in-chief, and publisher of the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. Since 2008, she has published 191 new Chicken Soup for the Soul titles, most of them national bestsellers in the U.S. and Canada, more than doubling the number of Chicken Soup for the Soul titles in print today.

Amy is credited with revitalizing the Chicken Soup for the Soul brand, which has been a publishing industry phenomenon since the first book came out in 1993. By compiling inspirational and aspirational true stories curated from ordinary people who have had extraordinary experiences, Amy has kept the thirty-year-old Chicken Soup for the Soul brand fresh and relevant.

Follow Amy on Twitter @amynewmark. Listen to her free podcast, The Chicken Soup for the Soul Podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, the Podcasts app on iPhone, or by using your favorite podcast app on other devices.

Reviews

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book on one of those days when I was walking around my house doing things while reading essay after essay, even after thinking I would just read one. It was like eating potato chips—I couldn't stop. Making Me Time is really all about self-care. The author talked about a survey where women were asked what they wanted most for Valentine's Day—"me time" was a top answer.

This book has many fantastic authors and writers I had never heard of before. These essays are so well-written and thoughtful, and they bring a whole range of emotional and inspiring perspectives. The book itself is a place of refuge where you can just lose yourself. You don't have to go take a bath or anything to relax—Chicken Soup For the Soul gives us the "me time" we all want and need.

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbyowens.com/transcript/tom...

[Helen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't understand the attraction of these books at all. I find them boring and uninspiring.

[Ancillar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a timely read and a gentle reminder that self-care is not selfish

[Judith von Kirchbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked the book “Chicken Soup for the Soul - Making Me Time” up with a bit of hesitation. It was @zibbyowens bookclub pick for this week’s bookclub and so far I have not missed a bookclub meet or not read a book, so I felt compelled on the other hand I had not read a Chicken Soup book in at least 25 years and was quite convinced these books were not for me. I ended up getting a lot for myself from this book which I didn’t expect - of course not all stories fit my situation in or outlook on life but our shared human experience shone through ! And the importance of taking some time out for yourself in whatever way shape of form (the book contains all sorts of variations) cannot be overemphasized for someone like me with 4 kids home with school still being virtual, a classic oldest child myself and first point of contact for parents and siblings, a demanding job in hours and emotionally ... I read the stories and savored and reflected on each one that struck me as fitting and had a wonderful time reading this book and the stories contained.

[Eileen Castro · Rating 5 out of 5]

such an inspiring read. each story had an important lesson to be learned. i think everybody should read this book at least once in their lives!

[Kelly V · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been so long since I’ve read a CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL book and you know what, I really needed one. Sometimes, life can be hectic, stressful and one big storm after another. Not only that, but setting aside time just for “me time” and/or time with your loved ones can be a huge challenge. I felt so inspired by reading the stories within this book as well as the inspirational quotes presented at the beginning of each story. The one quote that I keep close to my heart is, “self care is not selfish.” You need to take care of yourself or you’ll be hurting not just yourself but others as well (especially your loved ones). I’m definitely going to take in what I’ve learned from this book to help me make better changes in my life and include more time for the things that make my soul happy. Thank you Chicken Soup for the Soul.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first Chicken Soup after more than a decade of Chicken Soup hiatus. But really, I haven't read chicken-soup books in a long while, and this was a great comeback read. It gave me this vibe, as if I were watching a selfcare, health, and wellness aesthetic video while reading, and in turn, it made me feel relaxed, centered, and balanced in some ways. I'd love more of these me-time stories.

[Shaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been a huge fan of Chicken Soup for the Soul and what a refreshing topic when we are living in isolation, working from home and struggling to find work-life-mom balance. I love how the stories are short but so impactful. Truly loved this book!

[Danielle Cullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, excellent motivational stories to make time for oneself, if a bit repetitive at times.

[Megan Dalton · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good light read but I didn’t like it as much as the last one. The stories were pretty repetitive

[BookishLeo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made me value me time

[Maritsa Daumer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually really enjoy chicken soup for the soul books, but this one was just meh for me, there were probably 5 stories that I really liked 🤷‍♀️