Balancing my work and personal time can be hard and stressful at times. I’m a full-time lab manager during the day, and a homeowner, teacher, mom, wife, and Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator at night and weekends. Some days I’m focused and get a lot of things done. Other days I’m unproductive, lazy, and tired. To help overcome these stresses, I like to follow these simple rules:
1. Prioritize my well-being.
I TRY to eat a low-calorie, well-balanced breakfast, lunch, and dinner with healthy snacks in between each day. I TRY to run/jog/walk 4 times a week for 20 minutes (weekday) and 30+ minutes (weekend). I TRY to get get at least 7 hours of sleep every night.
2. Create a stimulating work environment.
It’s hard for me to work in a messy space. I get so distracted and stressed out with the mess. So I TRY to keep a clean and organized space decorated with the things I like… pink items, planners, organizing tools, and a Google Home speaker so I can listen to either KNX 1070 News Radio or Island 98.5 Hawaiian Style & Reggae Station. Neat = productive, messy = unproductive.
3. Create a routine and be consistent.
My workday starts with some water, a trip to the bathroom, a small breakfast (with coffee!), and maybe a jog/run. I like to read my emails at the start and middle of my day. I rely on my planner for my list of things to do. During my lunch break, I catch up on texts, personal emails, and social media, and I start thinking about dinner (LOL). After work, I unwind with some tea, a snack, and an episode of 90 Day Fiance (or whatever I’m into at the moment). I get dinner ready, check my son’s homework, clean up, and hang out with my family. If I’m not too tired, I’ll stamp. Then I’m off to bed. The weekends are when I do most of the household chores and work on my Stampin’ Up! business.
4. Make prioritized to-do lists.
I like to-do lists, specifically a prioritized one. There are only so many hours in a day and I know I won’t complete everything in one day. So I plan. I like to see things both at a month’s and a day’s glance. I use a paper planner to prioritize what needs to get done first. I make the most of my time in the morning when I’m wide awake and my husband and son are still asleep.
5. Take time for myself.
Pre-COVID, I would go to Burke Williams and get a massage, relax in the jacuzzi, and enjoy quiet time on the balcony. Now I find myself relaxing in front of the TV watching a Hallmark movie. LOL
So this is what I do. How about you? How do you balance your work and personal time?