I'm late, but today I'm linking up with Shay and Erika for their Workin' it Wednesdays series (which, this time, was on Monday, hence my lateness). It's a topic that I really struggle with and want to blog about, Work/Life Balance. I can't wait to read what others have to say on the topic because I need all the help I can get!
Work/life balance is something I’ve been actively seeking and striving for ever since I went back to work 3 years ago. But sadly, I have only discovered that, at least for me, it simply does not exist. Some simple math will prove it.
My work week starts when I get up around 6:30 AM on Monday and ends on Fridays at 6:30 PM when I get home, give or take. That is a total of 108 hours. Of that 108, 60 are spent working, getting ready for work or commuting to and from work. Another 28ish are spent sleeping. That leaves 20 hours for “life”, and 14-16 of those are spent cooking, cleaning, chores, making lunches, helping with homework, etc. So, “life” pretty much consists of 4-6 hours (1-1.5/day) in the evening, watching a show, reading or playing on the computer after everyone else has gone to bed or is at least in bed reading (Kayley). 60 versus 4-6. Ehhhhh…not exactly balanced. I get that "work-life balance" is not meant to be 50/50 and it's more about making the most of the free time you do have and managing your time in such a way as to maximize the amount of time you have for what's important to you, but still. I am never "off duty" until AT LEAST 9:00, sometimes 10:00, and it's very frustrating. Most of this post was typed up at work on a break, because otherwise I'd never have time.
Of course, there are weekends, but as you know, those are mostly consumed with running errands, cooking, laundry and other household stuff.
Having a housekeeper has been a lifesaver. Before that I literally did nothing but all of the above AND clean. It was awful.
I try to menu plan and make meals ahead but it's hard because the girls won't eat most things I make/want to make and I don't want what they will eat, and most nights they have to just eat something quick before rushing off to dance/gymnastics/violin, so we eat a lot of pre-made things from Costco like stuffed peppers, shepherds pie and rotisserie chicken. And I know the importance of not overscheduling them but Kayley is only in one thing (piano, and she comes to us) and Olivia is in 3 (dance, gymnastics and violin) but the dance is just to try it out and see if she likes it and if she wants to keep going she will have to chose between that and gymnastics.
So, for me, there is no balance. I'm working at it and as the girls get older and can do more for themselves and help more around the house, it will get better. Meanwhile, I will check out the link up for some great ideas.
Work/life balance is something I’ve been actively seeking and striving for ever since I went back to work 3 years ago. But sadly, I have only discovered that, at least for me, it simply does not exist. Some simple math will prove it.
My work week starts when I get up around 6:30 AM on Monday and ends on Fridays at 6:30 PM when I get home, give or take. That is a total of 108 hours. Of that 108, 60 are spent working, getting ready for work or commuting to and from work. Another 28ish are spent sleeping. That leaves 20 hours for “life”, and 14-16 of those are spent cooking, cleaning, chores, making lunches, helping with homework, etc. So, “life” pretty much consists of 4-6 hours (1-1.5/day) in the evening, watching a show, reading or playing on the computer after everyone else has gone to bed or is at least in bed reading (Kayley). 60 versus 4-6. Ehhhhh…not exactly balanced. I get that "work-life balance" is not meant to be 50/50 and it's more about making the most of the free time you do have and managing your time in such a way as to maximize the amount of time you have for what's important to you, but still. I am never "off duty" until AT LEAST 9:00, sometimes 10:00, and it's very frustrating. Most of this post was typed up at work on a break, because otherwise I'd never have time.
Of course, there are weekends, but as you know, those are mostly consumed with running errands, cooking, laundry and other household stuff.
Having a housekeeper has been a lifesaver. Before that I literally did nothing but all of the above AND clean. It was awful.
I try to menu plan and make meals ahead but it's hard because the girls won't eat most things I make/want to make and I don't want what they will eat, and most nights they have to just eat something quick before rushing off to dance/gymnastics/violin, so we eat a lot of pre-made things from Costco like stuffed peppers, shepherds pie and rotisserie chicken. And I know the importance of not overscheduling them but Kayley is only in one thing (piano, and she comes to us) and Olivia is in 3 (dance, gymnastics and violin) but the dance is just to try it out and see if she likes it and if she wants to keep going she will have to chose between that and gymnastics.
So, for me, there is no balance. I'm working at it and as the girls get older and can do more for themselves and help more around the house, it will get better. Meanwhile, I will check out the link up for some great ideas.
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