I think part of my problem lately is I’m doing too much. I’m working too much, I’m socializing too much, and I’m trying to do too many hobbies. I want to do all the things, but I shouldn’t because that leads to burn out. Same to you. If you are the kind of person who wants to do all things, I encourage you to take a step back and look at each part of your life for areas to reduce stress and time consumption. Like Marie Kondo says: if it doesn’t spark joy, don’t keep it.
First thing to do is figure out ways to make work easier on ourselves. For me, cracking down on the cell phone policy and letting students’ test grades replace their missing daily grades is a good start. That will reduce the stress of students not paying attention and not understanding, as well as reduce the time it takes for me to track down students with missing work. It’s important that work doesn’t consume your life, even if it’s something you love. I love my career, but I don’t like working long hours and stressing out about things that don’t matter in the grand scheme of things. Finding little ways to back off your responsibilities or your cares can go a long way into make work less of a source of stress.
Next thing to do is to take a look at the calendar. If your calendar is anything like mine, it’s full of social events and fun outings. But where’s the home time? Where’s the “take a bubble bath and read” event? Not there. If you’re like me, you have a good social life and you like going on outings or taking trips. But when every single weekend is filled with something of the sort, burn out can happen. I believe that is what is going on with me. I ended up canceling my plans this weekend and taking a hiatus instead. TV, video games, reading, crocheting, and writing. If you are feeling burnt out from all your social events, I suggest doing the same. Pick an upcoming weekend and put “hiatus” on the calendar for all day both days.
The last thing I need to back off on is hobbies. I want to play just dance as my exercise (I don’t like working out), learn new songs on the piano, read books, blog, crochet, knit. How many hobbies do you want to spend more time on? I think the key isn’t to give up hobbies, but to not try to do all of them every day. I read fiction almost everyday in the evenings, but I have lots of non-fiction I want to read as well. Just dance, piano, and knitting are things I wish I could make time for everyday, and in doing so I get frustrated and discouraged when I don’t do them everyday. Maybe I’ll have different days for different hobbies or just rotate them. How do you balance your hobbies?
What areas do you struggle with balancing? How do you plan on balancing these things? Any tips on juggling multiple hobbies and an active social life? I love to read your comments, personal stories, advice, and antidotes.
Thoughts from a badass figuring out how to conquer life. 