“Work hard, play hard” this mantra I remember hearing as I started the world of work, but I never understood or got around to the playing hard because there was always so much work to do! When I finally got some time off, it took up to a good 3 days to “come down” off of the work schedule, deprogram, and then attempt to have fun. Sometimes it took longer. It seems like by the time I’m having fun, it’s time to go back to work! The weekends needed to be three days instead of two. It’s CRAZY!
Part of this is cultural. Here in the U.S., time is money, and if you’re not multitasking, then you’re not productive. Ultimately, due to your lack of work-ethic, you’ll never reach your goals or get anywhere in life. You’ve heard this, right? Who has time to have fun? And if you are relaxing, you could check email or something, right? Don’t just sit there doing.. wait for it.. gasp... nothing!
On the flip side, we work ourselves so much that we don’t know how to relax, our diets are less than stellar, we spend time away from family and friends, and we’re all work and no play. We never really have fun and enjoy life. There are some people who have found balance, and you are probably a little healthier (mentally & emotionally) than you were when you weren’t balanced. Please pray for those of us who haven’t gotten it, yet!
The solution? Work hard for your money, AND enjoy your life as an everyday part of your life. Find something to enjoy each day instead of saying that you’ll relax “when…” When what? “When” never seems to come, and we’re always in the rat-race. You know, the race where you get up, take a shower, get dressed, go to work, work really hard doing something, eat some, get gas, buy food, clean the house, wash clothes, spend 15 minutes with your significant other/kids go to sleep, and get up again… When are you going to play hard?
Starting today, create 15 minutes in your schedule that you are doing something that YOU like to do. This may mean taking out 15 minutes of stuff that you don’t need to do anyway. Take 15 minutes for you. Read a book, ride a bike, go to the park with your kids, take a nap. Whatever you do, DON’T WORK or even think about work! From here, slowly work your way up to more time to “chillax” and enjoy life. You work hard, and you deserve to enjoy yourself. Don’t wait for “when”. When is NOW!
"When the working day is done…."
I would argue you should spend 30 minutes a day..
ReplyDelete@ budding polymath: i agree! more time is better - necessary even. baby steps are sometimes the best way to get to 30 minutes.. or even an hour ;^)
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