Dave and I were talking just the other day about balance. I’ve been taking on more lately on the crafty and writing fronts, and it’s meant letting a lot of things slide. Things like spending time with my friends and with my husband.
It’s tricky, working the 40 hour week while trying to grow a crafty business and keep up with writing as much as I want to. I can’t really do any writing at work. “Frowned upon” does not adequately describe how management feels about that kind of thing. That leaves evenings and weekends for everything. Sometimes, that means I’m late to the party on something interesting that I wanted to write about. Often, it means turning down invites to do things I really want to do in favor of getting some sewing done.
Dave is right, though. When I beat myself up because I just can’t focus, it’s probably not so much laziness as my body telling me to take a break. Sometimes, though, it’s hard to relax with that nagging voice in my head reminding me that the ironing board is covered in coffee sleeves that need to be finished, and that I’d bookmarked something sort of timely that I wanted to write about.
So I guess balance is one of those things that takes practice. Since Project: Organization sort of resolved itself pretty quickly, maybe I should add this to my New Year’s Resolutions! How do you other folks manage the balance between your dayjob/freelancing/social life? I could use some tips as a jumping off point, for sure!
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I have a similar problem :( I work till about 6 then come home, eat and then work on blog and free lance till midnight, get up and do it again – its exhausting ! I slip up on cleaning a lot. I haven’t figured out a solution except not make art or blog, which I didn’t feel happy with. So now my next decision is to work for myself. If you figure out a way to make balance easier though – I’d loooooove to know!
Balance is probably the hardest thing that anyone struggles with. While all work and no play makes jack a dull boy, the alternate, all play and no work would probably make Becky an unhappy lady. I think you just have to do what feels right – if you start feeling like all you do is work, take a break! Find some friends, just hang out and relax. If you start feeling like you’re not getting anything done, say no to a couple invitations and stay in and work. They call it a balancing act for a reason… when you swing too far over to one side, correct and stay on course. This isn’t much of a “how to” but it is encouragement to continue to do what you think is right :)
I agree with Liz, do what you think is right. It’s really hard doing what you want to do when you’re working 40+ hours a week. Throw in a family, and “spare” time is down the drain. I had to shut down my shops at the peak of holiday shopping because it just became too much for me to handle. Unfortunately, even though it brings money in, the crafty side of my life takes third place, and that’s what I want to do most of all. If you figure out how to have it all, let me know! :-) Let’s just say I’m looking forward to maternity leave in the spring. I’ll have (a little) time to relax!
With me, it more feels like my fiction writing vs. everything else, to the point where I have to remind myself that my day job is awesome too and a social life isn’t my enemy.
This is a daily struggle for me. I’ve learned to pace myself pretty well (except during the month of December!). If there is a night where I feel really exhausted and don’t have anything urgent I have to get done, I let myself watch dumb TV. I often ignore cleaning, dish washing and laundry that needs to get done. These things just aren’t as important to me as writing and crafting. But of course it reaches a point of no return! I cherish unplanned Saturdays because I can “catch up” on life. For a couple of years I maintained a minimal social life, but then I met a really cool group of people that I can’t resist ;) … but you’ll notice I can’t attend every outing. I just can’t, as much as I’d like to. I suffer from extreme exhaustion sometimes and then I just have to let myself rest. It’s hard. You’re doing great stuff though so it’s worth the effort. I think pushing yourself is very important and underrated. My two cents!