Work & Rest
Humans weren't designed to function like machines. The industrial revolution fueled this misconception, pushing for maximum efficiency at any cost. But the hard reality is that each person has limits and pushing beyond them leads to eventual burnout.
Work and rest both have purpose. Work allows us to contribute meaningfully to others, while rest honors our limitations and lets us enjoy life's blessings. So, how does one maintain work/life balance? While I don’t have a specific answer for you, I can provide a helpful framework for reflection:
1. Create buffer: cut out time-draining activities.
Identify and eliminate activities that leave you feeling purposeless, like doom scrolling or binge-watching. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn't enjoy a movie or TV series. I’m specifically speaking to activities that leave you feeling like you’ve wasted time. Make a list of these and swap them out with more intentional habits. Doing so will help free up your ability to be fully present and invested in your priorities.
2. Clear the clutter: recognize external pressures.
You also want to reflect on influences that may compel you to perform to certain standards. A recent promotion may lead to pressure for immediate results. An upcoming graduation might bring pressure to know all the next steps. A leadership role can create pressure to have all the answers. What you want is to be able to distinguish between the societal expectations hijacking your time and energy and your genuine priorities.
3. Cultivate enjoyment: embrace life-giving activities.
What are the activities that bring you the most joy and fulfillment, even if you were never compensated for them? Sometimes, rest can mean ceasing activity and other times it can mean engaging in more activities that truly invigorate your soul. For me, that could mean listening to podcasts or books while doing chores. It could also look like prioritizing mentally draining tasks earlier in the day, leaving more energy for family time later. Sometimes, it’s the smallest changes that can make biggest improvements.
Are you working from your rest or constantly needing a rest from your work? Consider how you might infuse rest into work and create more buffer with your time, clear the mental clutter, and cultivate enjoyment for the good things in your life.