Now more than ever, you should remember to take time for yourself. Home should be a sanctuary where you and your family get to relax and unwind. When something happens and you’re stuck there for a while, you may start to feel like the people you love are anything but relaxing.

Finding some time for yourself can be a real challenge when you’re stuck at home with other people. It requires some planning and setting boundaries.

Scheduling Time for Yourself

If you live with other adults or older kids, you may be able to have a conversation about how everyone needs some privacy when you’re all stuck in the same space. Decide on what works for your schedules. You might all plan “me” time at the same time. If your schedules don’t sync up, you may need to let each person claim a different slot for themselves.

Small children make it harder to take time for yourself. They’re not known for staying out of trouble when unsupervised. If you have small children, you have two options. You can swap out with another responsible person if available, or you can schedule your “me” time when they’re asleep.

Reinforcing Boundaries

For most people, the hardest part of creating space for yourself when you’re around other people isn’t scheduling the time. It’s reinforcing that your need to be alone.

Of course, you can’t expect them to leave you to give you personal space if they don’t know you’re having personal time. Having a conversation where everyone in the house gets to claim some time for themselves is an important first step. Remind them when you plan to take time for yourself.

You may need to set up visual reminders that you’re on “me” time to stop people from absentmindedly interrupting you. Going outside or into a room where you can close the door may solve the problem. If you can’t get that physical separation, try wearing headphones. Play some music, an audiobook or nature sounds to distance you from your surroundings.

It can take some work to get personal space yourself when you’re stuck at home with other people. Communication and clear boundaries help everyone get the space they need to enjoy each other’s company again.