From what I am reading in the blogosphere, it seems that many of us are in the same boat – bad economy= too much work = no life. It is a simple, but unbalanced equation.
I am tired of thinking about it, complaining about it, and otherwise being consumed by it. But as sure as the sun will rise on another workday, it is unavoidable. Like good soldiers, we do what we have to do, however unpalatable, and hope that tomorrow (and tomorrow) will be a better day.
There are two realities about this:
1. It will take some time before the economy (=workload) will change
2. It is completely within our control to balance our lives
If you get past the disturbing assumption that there are 24 hour in a day and seven day in a week to get your work done, there is space in there somewhere for something vaguely resembling a life. It is a mindset change and I do not for a moment consider it an easy one. At the end of the work day, I have nothing left. I am tired, irritated, sometimes angry, sometimes depressed, and always ready to do nothing. That has to change. Television, mindless websites, snacking, and playing with your smartphone do not count. Reading, writing, walking, playing (for me, that means a musical instrument)… there are so many easy ways to get a little balance in these little opportunities of otherwise empty time. So why is it so damn hard?
I find that when I look at a clock, I see it as T-minus however many hours before I have to work. Yet another necessary mindset change. When I have been happiest, it has been during a time when I was living in the moment and didn’t see time as such a linear inevitability toward the next workday.
There is life in those empty spaces. Time to go exploring…
I am tired of thinking about it, complaining about it, and otherwise being consumed by it. But as sure as the sun will rise on another workday, it is unavoidable. Like good soldiers, we do what we have to do, however unpalatable, and hope that tomorrow (and tomorrow) will be a better day.
There are two realities about this:
1. It will take some time before the economy (=workload) will change
2. It is completely within our control to balance our lives
If you get past the disturbing assumption that there are 24 hour in a day and seven day in a week to get your work done, there is space in there somewhere for something vaguely resembling a life. It is a mindset change and I do not for a moment consider it an easy one. At the end of the work day, I have nothing left. I am tired, irritated, sometimes angry, sometimes depressed, and always ready to do nothing. That has to change. Television, mindless websites, snacking, and playing with your smartphone do not count. Reading, writing, walking, playing (for me, that means a musical instrument)… there are so many easy ways to get a little balance in these little opportunities of otherwise empty time. So why is it so damn hard?
I find that when I look at a clock, I see it as T-minus however many hours before I have to work. Yet another necessary mindset change. When I have been happiest, it has been during a time when I was living in the moment and didn’t see time as such a linear inevitability toward the next workday.
There is life in those empty spaces. Time to go exploring…
