‘Me time’ is what men want

Have you ever felt breathless, trying to rush from one chore to another, wishing you had some 'me' time for yourself? In this hectic post-modern world, men have a variety of roles to play be it that of a professional, a caring hubby or a devoted dad, all of which is time-consuming. Then there are friends to cater to, obligatory social dos to attend and life is one big rush.

In fact Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan has admitted that the only 'me time' he ever gets is when he spends one hour in the bathroom every morning. With his kids demanding attention, his wife calling out to him and his secretary trying to grab some moments, the hardworking actor retreats into his loo where he surfs the net on his laptop, reads a book or even chats with friends. When he steps out after an hour, SRK is one energised man, ready to take on the demands of the day.

Bollywood make-up artiste Mickey Contractor found some 'me time' when he had gone to Malaysia to do Priyanka Chopra's make up for the film Don. Mickey adds that the concept of personal space is something his family respects. "I am a content person and I love being with my family. But I do like to take out time for myself even while I'm with my family. Sometimes I get this opportunity when I'm away on outdoor shoots. I utilise this time to paint, catch up on my writing or simply listen to old Hindi classical numbers. It is my time for introspection and chalking out resolutions for the future."

While Mickey makes a concerted effort at finding time for himself, fashion designer Raghavendra Rathore likes to travel because it helps him return with fresh ideas that are integral to his creative field. He says, "I use this opportunity to reflect on my work, where I'm heading and what I need to change. So the 'me' time I find myself looking forward to, would be when I go off to an unknown destination, to purge my mind off jaded concepts and begin the thinking process anew."

All the men unanimously concede that 'me time' is not only important but necessary to help them evolve into better individuals. And that's why when they have seem serious thinking to do, they prefer solitude to company. Satish Krishnamurthy, 40, principal software engineer, Chennai, says he doesn't mind the daily pressures that come his way as long as he is able to find time for himself. "My 'me time' is utilised to read a favourite book and ponder over it. Or I might spend time researching on subjects that interests like politics too."

Srini Mahesh, 27, entrepreneur, Bangalore, looks forward to meditating for 30 minutes every morning which helps him stay centred all through the day. "Sometimes I forget that I need time for myself. From that point of realisation, suddenly there is a rush in me to make up for the lost time. And I head out in my car, all by myself on as long a drive as I contemplate the future ahead," he adds. What comes as surprise is the fact that men who look for 'me time' view it as an opportunity to do serious soul searching, and come back feeling refreshed.