As a professional, I always try to balance my work life and my personal life. Some days, I feel like it’s difficult to discern my own life from my job because the compassion I need in my work gets in the way. If you struggle to separate your work from your home life, here are five self-loving things you can do to strike a balance:
- Try to leave your work at the workplace.
One of the hardest things to do is to leave all of your work worries behind, but trying to compartmentalize is worth your time. I can attest to the fact that I’ve brought my work home many times – but it doesn’t help me. It’s wonderful that you care so much about the people you help , but sometimes you need to disconnect from your work. So when you leave the office, take a deep breath and move on from your job stress.
2. Call a loved one.
I know that it may sound ridiculous to think that the people you love understand all of the nuances of your job. However, talking to them may help take you out of your “work funk.” Taking time out to see how your friends and loved ones are will help you put a difficult day in perspective.
3. Remember that every day will be different.
Simply knowing that not every workday will be the same is freeing in its own way. It may be a bit harder for those who love consistency to grasp this, but letting go of expectations makes the hard days more tolerable.
4. Use a journal.
Writing down your thoughts can help relieve stress and release your feelings about coworkers or other aspects of your job that frustrate you. Sometimes all it takes is a pen and paper to compartmentalize your feelings so that work challenges don’t bleed into your home life.
5. Find an outlet.
Whether you work out, watch television, or play video games, you need an outlet so that you can wind down after a full day of work. You need time and space to process everything that happens in your day-to-day life. Having an outlet that’s just for you helps you sort out your feelings.
No matter your job, your work can easily bleed into other parts of your life. But part of having a healthy outlook on your job and avoiding burnout is knowing when you need to relax. It is completely OK to take time to sort out your feelings. After all, sometimes you need to be there for yourself first.
Featured Photo by bruce mars on Unsplash
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