I have a new rule for life: the 15
minute rule. It started as our rule for work appointments. We wait 15
minutes, and if you come in 15 minutes, great! Otherwise, we cancel
the appointment.
I don't cancel on life if I'm 15
minutes late, but if I get to something within 15 minutes, I count it
as a win. I'm specifically using the 15 minute rule for bedtime. I've
been onto myself for not getting to bed on time, but I rarely ever
make that time. So I've decided to give myself 15 minutes from that
set time, and if I get in bed by then, I congratulate myself. So far,
it's working.
The 15 minute rule is a way to give
myself grace, with limits. It's not a free-for-all. It doesn't mean I
can purposely dilly-dally. But it allows me to give myself a little
wiggle-room and less stress.
This rule obviously doesn't apply to
all life things. I need to leave for work on time, get to work on
time, go to the doctor at the scheduled appointment time, etc. But when it comes
to non-essentials, like bedtimes and exercise times and preferred
deadlines, it works.
Shauna Niequist wrote on Instagram a
while back, “Six weeks. Give it six weeks. Extra grace, patience,
and understanding for all parties for six weeks.”
I'm revising: “Fifteen minutes. Give
it 15 minutes. Extra grace, patience, and understanding for all
parties for 15 minutes.”
Grace with accountability. I like it.
