I would have to say one of the biggest struggles I am going through right now is trying to make time for leisure time. I know that probably sounds crazy but there is always something that needs done. I tell myself that I can not put certain things off, they just have to be done. But then I question if that is true and it is time for all work and no play or if it is a justification made by my psyche to keep me from relaxing. If that is so why would I not WANT to relax?
I know some people like that, when they supposedly relax then I think they are often just thinking about what they should be doing, and feeling like they are wasting time. Personally I'm not like that, I feel like if I'm not spending some of my week just enjoying something, then I'm wasting my life. Many years ago I think a teacher's comment hit home with me when they said to imagine yourself on your death bed and imagine what you would think back about in your life and appreciate? Would it be how hard you worked? Probably not for most. So you have to make time for the things that would be important, whether it's spending time with family, friends, enjoying the outdoors, learning new things, helping others, or just having some plain old fashioned fun!
If I feel so tire and stressed, I will somewhat forced myself to relax. It is important to give ourselves a break since being so stressed is not healthy. It will just drained our energy and even the ideas we have and will just make us slow in finishing tasks or jobs. So better to find time relaxing and refreshing to regain more energy and be able to do things faster.
My leisure time is mixed in with my regular time. In other words, what relaxes me is writing, and I manage to do the things that are necesssary other than writing, in between the times that I write. So there are not special times, that are set aside to relax, I relax all through the day doing what I love to do. So that my equilibrium is always sort of in balance, as this works well for me.
It sounds like it requires a person to really find a kind of balance. I suppose what is necessarily is to detach oneself from your work self, and move in to your personal self. I guess this is where I am having the break down. I try to move towards my personal self, but my roots are entrenched in my work self and I can't seem to shake them free.
Zippy, love the name. "o) Just a suggestion, when you want to transition from work to relaxation, try meditation. Purchase a book on the techniques. It calms you do, and stops the racing heartbeat and mind. You may even find you fall asleep, while meditating, which is good as well. People who are very productive find, that catnaps help them to perform better and keeps them moving forward afterwards. Take care.
Before, it is also my problem but I tried to manage all my time and stop doing things that is not really important. Right now, I can find time for my leisure activities but not too much time .. At least, I have a little time to relax and have fun and I am okay with that for now..
I can totally relate to this. Having kids especially makes it hard to have leisure time. But sometimes you just have to do it. You are going to end up being really stressed out all of the time if you do not give yourself some time to relax. For me I find it hard sometimes too since I have a two month old who sleeps through the night and is now up the majority of the day. I am either caring for him or getting work done. But at night time I try to give myself a couple of hours of leisure time even if it is just watching tv. I find out what shows I am interested and look forward to watching them. You also need to remember that it is okay to put things off such as housework til the morning sometimes. Certain things probably can't wait but there are quite a few that can wait. They are not going anywhere! LOL
I experienced this a while ago. I just kept going with all the tasks that needed finishing, and whenever I had finished them something else would pop up that needed my direct attention. Thing is, it was my own mind playing tricks on me. Some things could wait till later on, but I just kept going for whatever reason it might have been. I was so used to all work and no play that I felt guilty when having leisure time. It took me while to learn how to appreciate and enjoy it without feeling guilty about it, not doing something 'important'. It helped me to actually plan in free time in my diary, and to stick to that. So basicly I learned to relax by making it one of those tasks I simply had to do.
Maybe write down all the tasks running through your mind and set the paper aside for a couple of hours. Sometimes the reason things race through my mind is I'm afraid that once I get back to work, the force of all the tasks will hit and I'll be unprepared, or I'll forget something important. With the list, it's all there and I won't forget anything.
Just decide that you want a free time and do it. Don't reason it out with your psyche or else you can end up as a loser because there would always be justifications that could be found for not setting aside a time to relax. Remember that work and things to be done will always be there when you are back so there is no need to fear that you are losing an opportunity.
