The Necessity for Repose
If you're like me, you tend to keep rather busy, immersing yourself in your work and various projects. Currently, I have three jobs and am taking an ASL class on Monday evenings.
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It's not terribly uncommon for people my age to maintain multiple jobs in order to make ends meat these days. The reality is that the cost of living is rather high, especially if you have any school debt left to pay off. Is it any wonder so many of us are finding ourselves burned out, in foul moods, or depressed?
All the more reason to ensure that we take a break and allow ourselves to recharge. I mean a real break, a day of rest, a Sabbath, a time we set aside for our rest and enjoyment alone.
This can be very difficult as often, we have little to no time off, and what little time we do have off, we find ourselves devoting to catching up on chores and/or errands. This results in our energy levels being depleted, our moods suffering, and our social lives taking a major hit unless we actively work to set aside time to not work. As I have stated in many previous blogs; this is not easy to accomplish but is definitely a worthy feat.
Now, of course there's the “but I really need the money, I can't afford to take time off” argument, and in some cases, this may very well be true. However, sometimes it isn't and the panic and anxiety over one day off or one sick day is all in our heads. I've been there, I really have, but the truth is that with proper budgeting and a bit of a financial safety net set aside bit by bit on the better paychecks, one day off is not only not the end of the world, but far better for achieving more during the working days.
One proper day off can do wonders for our mood and productivity. One day off means the difference between me being able to do the dishes before or after my two or three shifts without glaring at them, it also makes my customer service smile that much more genuine when dealing with the public.
Now naturally, it can be quite one matter to plan to take a day off free of work and chores, but an entirely different matter to actually follow through on it. For a lot of us, there's just always something to do, always a To Do list running amok in our minds. Chores needing to be done, errands needing to be run, on and on go the excuses to not reward ourselves for all of our hard work. If we can find a way to manage our time more effectively, schedule those annoying tidbits during other days, during that other half day off during the week, truly schedule our time off as though it were a shift and treat it with the same level of importance, then our break becomes possible.
I mean, it only makes sense doesn't it? Our breaks are that important, we are that important.
Still finding it difficult to imagine the concept of pulling away from work? Remove yourself entirely, or at least as best as you can. For me, this means going to the beach on Sundays with friends. Not only does this mean not being able to have any possible housework giving me eyeless gazes of disapproval, but it means that I have someone holding me accountable. I have a commitment with those friends and it is a commitment to myself. Someone is expecting me there, so I must show up and hey, if I happen to arrive an hour early with my book, score! Additional bonus: the beach is free!
Helpful hint, make plans with non-demanding, drama free friends. Let's face it, some friendships are more work than others and just because we love them, doesn't mean they are good for our day off. It is also beneficial to pack a lunch as it prevents you from spending money at the canteen if you are on a tight budget.
Now, some of you simply cannot afford to take a full day off. Either due to budget restrictions or possibly even your family situation. Let's face it, if you have three kids running around, chances for getting away for an entire afternoon are probably slim to none. Then it becomes a matter of settling for an undiluted hour of extreme relaxation. I'm talking scheduling your partner to take the kids on (and returning the favour for an hour of relaxation for them) and doing a home spa, or a retreat to the man cave, an hour with a good book, or an hour with a gaming console. Whatever truly relaxes you, make time for it.
I assure you, you will notice a difference and it will make getting through the following week that much easier.
All the more reason to ensure that we take a break and allow ourselves to recharge. I mean a real break, a day of rest, a Sabbath, a time we set aside for our rest and enjoyment alone.
This can be very difficult as often, we have little to no time off, and what little time we do have off, we find ourselves devoting to catching up on chores and/or errands. This results in our energy levels being depleted, our moods suffering, and our social lives taking a major hit unless we actively work to set aside time to not work. As I have stated in many previous blogs; this is not easy to accomplish but is definitely a worthy feat.
Now, of course there's the “but I really need the money, I can't afford to take time off” argument, and in some cases, this may very well be true. However, sometimes it isn't and the panic and anxiety over one day off or one sick day is all in our heads. I've been there, I really have, but the truth is that with proper budgeting and a bit of a financial safety net set aside bit by bit on the better paychecks, one day off is not only not the end of the world, but far better for achieving more during the working days.
One proper day off can do wonders for our mood and productivity. One day off means the difference between me being able to do the dishes before or after my two or three shifts without glaring at them, it also makes my customer service smile that much more genuine when dealing with the public.
Now naturally, it can be quite one matter to plan to take a day off free of work and chores, but an entirely different matter to actually follow through on it. For a lot of us, there's just always something to do, always a To Do list running amok in our minds. Chores needing to be done, errands needing to be run, on and on go the excuses to not reward ourselves for all of our hard work. If we can find a way to manage our time more effectively, schedule those annoying tidbits during other days, during that other half day off during the week, truly schedule our time off as though it were a shift and treat it with the same level of importance, then our break becomes possible.
I mean, it only makes sense doesn't it? Our breaks are that important, we are that important.
Still finding it difficult to imagine the concept of pulling away from work? Remove yourself entirely, or at least as best as you can. For me, this means going to the beach on Sundays with friends. Not only does this mean not being able to have any possible housework giving me eyeless gazes of disapproval, but it means that I have someone holding me accountable. I have a commitment with those friends and it is a commitment to myself. Someone is expecting me there, so I must show up and hey, if I happen to arrive an hour early with my book, score! Additional bonus: the beach is free!
Helpful hint, make plans with non-demanding, drama free friends. Let's face it, some friendships are more work than others and just because we love them, doesn't mean they are good for our day off. It is also beneficial to pack a lunch as it prevents you from spending money at the canteen if you are on a tight budget.
Now, some of you simply cannot afford to take a full day off. Either due to budget restrictions or possibly even your family situation. Let's face it, if you have three kids running around, chances for getting away for an entire afternoon are probably slim to none. Then it becomes a matter of settling for an undiluted hour of extreme relaxation. I'm talking scheduling your partner to take the kids on (and returning the favour for an hour of relaxation for them) and doing a home spa, or a retreat to the man cave, an hour with a good book, or an hour with a gaming console. Whatever truly relaxes you, make time for it.
I assure you, you will notice a difference and it will make getting through the following week that much easier.
Do you have any things you do to relax and ensure that you are getting adequate you time? Perhaps you golf on Sundays or go to dinner with friends on Friday's? As always, feel free to comment below.
Cheers!
The Bra Street Rambler
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