I plan on doing a few updates throughout the month based on my 2013 agenda. Not too often so I don’t bore you 😉 Half of me wonders if anyone cares what I write about these updates. (I personally find the fun posts a lot more… fun!) The other half of me wonders what I’ll think about these posts when I look back in a year, or two years, or whenever. I look back at old posts like this one from March 2010 and I think about how much I have changed.
I think it’s equivalent to marking my height against the wall. After a three inch growth spurt at Georgetown, I’m definitely done physically growing. But there are so many ways in which I’ve grown and continue to grow. The changes aren’t as evident like they once were, but they’re there.
So back to January… it’s all about Work Life.
Now it’s interesting because it’s only been a week. Like just about everyone, I struggled to maintain the goals I had. I was super gung-ho about launching into the New Year on the right foot.
Two days in, however, and I was having strange feelings of guilt. I was actually taking the time to do personal things like reading and simply watching a movie on Netflix and even just texting friends for hours. I could feel the inkling of guilt growing. I felt it more so after I finished the fun and started working again. Without much thinking, I was annoyed that all the time I was spending on answering text messages, I could have been answering emails. All the time I spent watching Netflix could have been spent “getting ahead” for the following day. It didn’t feel good. And I realized that it was misconstrued on my part, but I still couldn’t help feeling that way.
And then the next day, I found myself leaving the office past midnight. I arrived at 7:30am and had a regular day of meetings and the usual. We had an event and then sat around talking super late into the night. It’s confusing when your friends with work friends and it’s confusing when you actually really like what you do. Levo is really a great fit and I learn the absolute most when I have no idea what I’m doing…
Part of me thinks that I should be putting more space between work and my personal life. But at the same time, I’m just doing what feels right. I think having a job where I clocked in at 9 and clocked out at 5 every day would be boring!! I like to work.
As with so many things, it seems to come down to doing what you love and doing what feels right. What I’m doing may not be typical, but it seems to be working for me. (Although, I would like to feel less guilty about enjoying time off!!!)
In the end, I don’t think I have definitive answers, and there is certainly plenty of time to sort through these thoughts. I think the process of figuring it all out is the real fun anyway!
Did you survive Week 1 of New Year’s Resolutions?
xoxo
New Years Resolutions can always be a challenge, but with a lot of effort you can really stick to them. It sounds like you're doing well so far, just keep to it. I've done well on my goals so far, and I can't wait to see if it really sticks through the year. xo, Maria
I hear you. As a student even after I finish all my required homework or studying, I still feel as if I have to being reading something. Need to figure out that balance.
I suffer guilt when I'm not working. I've always been like that. As I've progressed in my professional life, I see the necessity in taking time for me because I don't want to burn out (and have experienced very early stages of burn out).
So far, 2013 isn't so bad. 🙂
My work friends are my "real life" friends too, and we often find ourselves falling into that same trap! So we have a rule – at certain events and get togethers, we FORBID work talk and anyone who violates the rule must buy a round of drinks (or dessert, or….). It works pretty well! 😉
xx,
Eleanor
My first week of the New Year for me was filled with crazy packing, saying bye to family again and traveling. Then unpacking and getting back into work. I'd still like to relax at home for another day, but it feels good to be back at work.
<3
carelessly graceful
It's great that you are ambitious. That quality is something inspiring to your readers. I've recently discussed work/life balance with classmates and a few mentors. What I've learned is that you have to do what best fits you. What works for one might not work for all. Enjoy your growing and learning process and try your best to live in the moment without guilt. Easier said than done though 🙂 Good luck. I am glad I found your blog.
bunkiemonkie.blogspot.com
Julie
I always feel like I should be working, but sometimes it is just necessary to goof off and not feel guilty! {It is really hard to do though!}
I've got 8 hours of sleep (almost) every night, I've exclusively cooked rather than eating out, I've been highly responsible with my spending budget, I've kept my diary and my living space neat and tidy; on the other hand I've not been to the gym once and I have neglected to devote four hours of each day to study. I've watched hours of TV and gone through half a jar of chocolate spread.
So far, it's a lot better than 2012 already!
I absolutely love this blog! It is my inspiration to succeed. You being such a hard worker makes me want to be a hard worker. If it's alright with you, I would like to suggest writing a post on how to tackle procrastination. Your ways of thinking, tricking yourself into doing an assignment you really don't want to do, and what you do to stay focused. I would really love to get your insight and advice on how to get past that lazy impulse. Thank you so much for writing such a wonderful blog!
What is it you do? I've seen you mention Levo before but I just discovered your blog and might have missed where you talked about that. I'm interested in what you do since I enjoy a lot of the same things you seem to. 🙂
I love that you are so self-assured in that, while your path and career may not be typical, it is YOUR path and no one should criticize you for following it. Feeling guilty about taking time off is an issue because it can lead to burnout, but I think you'll figure that one out.