"Before you make up your mind to never do another thing for another person, ever, just take a break," she says. "Seek solitude. Time alone allows you to regroup your thoughts, rejuvenate your body and reconnect with yourself."
Here's what Corrine suggests as simple but effective ways to get in touch with the inner you:
Don't make plans. Set aside one day every week or two for nothing but an activity you want to do. This is your opportunity to swim at the beach, start a new scrapbooking project or finally get back to that book you started reading a year ago and never finished.
Eat out. Treat yourself to lunch at your favorite restaurant. Bring along a journal or notebook to jot down your thoughts as you wait for your food to arrive. Order something you have never tried before -- you may be pleasantly surprised. At the very worst, you'll learn what not to order next time!
Bubble bath. An inexpensive alternative to spending $60 or more for a day at the spa is to create your own home spa in your bathroom. Carefully place candles along the counter and beside the tub; for added ambience, burn a calming incense scent. Fill your tub with warm water and add bubble bath or bath crystals. For super indulgence, sprinkle rose petals in the tub. Then light the candles, turn off the lights, soak and release!
Movie night. Remember that movie you've been waiting to arrive in theaters and no one else wants to see it? Go see it alone -- this is your movie date with you! You'll be too engulfed in what's happening on screen to worry about who is not sitting beside you.
Paint your nails. It's nice to just sit back in a chair at the nail salon, but remember pampering is also doing for yourself. So, get out your favorite color and get busy! As you try to paint, appreciate your hands and give thanks for all that you can accomplish with them. Once your nails are dry, appreciate your feet!
Play trivia. Bring out your inner genius without being embarrassed by what you don't know. Dig out the old trivia cards, or buy a new trivia game.
Have a "private party." You don't have to go out to a crowded club or on a smoky dance floor to get down -- you can dance the night away right in your own living room!
Keep a record. Chances are if you're a woman, you've got stories. Think about an experience in your own life that you remember vividly and taught you something worthwhile. Write the anecdote down and tie it in with some wisdom you took away from that experience. Keep your story in a cute envelope or journal. After you return to everyday life you'll have a life lesson to share with someone who may become encouraged by it.
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. The main thing to remember during your time alone is to enjoy yourself. By spending quality time alone, you feel ready to take on life with a sense of purpose.
