Planned or spontaneous – how do you take your privacy?

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The privacy checklist

Planned or spontaneous – how do you take your privacy?

Privacy means different things, depending on who you ask. It can be reading alone at home, hiking in nature or walking down a busy city street plugged into headphones.

Time for yourself doesn’t have to be planned – it can pop up unexpectedly, like a gift. In fact, 64% of us say we take privacy when-and-where we can get it, as opposed to 36% who say they plan and prioritise it.

Whether you’ve plotted out your alone time or stumbled upon it, privacy is an important part of a balanced life. It gives us the time and space to unlock creativity and helps us thrive in our relationships. Certain personalities may be drawn to one type of privacy or another, but in a hectic week, the reality is we’ll probably need to map out some ‘me time’ as well as grab it when we can.

A solid plan can make time for yourself even sweeter. Here’s how:

Plan a ‘date night’ on the sofa after the kids are in bed, with a film you’ve chosen together the day before.
Allocate a certain number of hours a week to a new hobby that’s just for you, and schedule it in.
Make an appointment at the hair salon on Saturday morning with your favourite magazines.
Set aside the whole day to organise your space or get a big DIY project started.

Didn’t think private moments could be spontaneous? Think again. Here are a few ideas:

For once your housemates aren’t crowded around the kitchen table. Grab a moment to do a quiet crossword puzzle with a cup of tea.
Unexpected time alone in your home? How about a private dance-a-thon with the volume cranked right up?
A friend is running 20 minutes late. Find a bench and plug into a podcast that has been burning a hole in your download list.
It’s all getting a little loud and boisterous at home. Excuse yourself and go for a walk or head to the cinema on your own, if time permits.