Life Update : Work Life Balance. This post contains affiliate links. To read more lifestyle posts go HERE.
Happy Monday! Today on the blog I wanted to share a little life update with all of you. Its been awhile since I shared a personal post on the blog, and I have been experiencing some major life changes since leaving my previous career to pursue a job in Consulting and Blogging. In the fashion world August = Fall and as we start to change seasons I have been reflecting a lot on this past summer. Its been a big learning curve for me, working from home, managing my finances, and figuring out the day to day. Full time blogging has been my dream for years, and achieving that goal has been a huge milestone in my life.
But now the real work has to begin. I knew this before leaving my previous career, but being an entrepreneur is no joke. The opportunities and the money don’t happen unless I am working on it. When I left my last job in the spring, it was such a whirlwind, and now that things have calmed down a bit I am taking the time to assess where I am doing well and where I need to up my game. And that brings me to work life balance.
The biggest area that I have been struggling with, and this comes at no surprise to me at all is my work life balance. I have “Gone” to work since I started working at age 16. Get up in the morning get ready and go to work. Now that I work from home its been a HUGE change from what I have known in the past. I love the flexibility but am struggling to find a good working pattern. I am the type of person that does well with routine, and after 15 years of a routine I am struggling to set my own. After a spring and summer of “figuring it out” I have decided that fall is my time to establish a good healthy for me routine and get into it. I have been scouring blogs to learn about how other bloggers set up their work life balance, but haven’t found one that has spoken to me yet, so I thought I would write my own and be honest about how much learning I have been going through.
When I have a full to do list I power through it, and find satisfaction in checking off each item on the list, but on the days when my notebook isn’t full I struggle to be productive in a way that makes me feel whole. So over the next month I am going to be testing out some different strategies that will help with the work life balance that I am seeking. And then in September go 100% with a new blogging schedule that will keep me on track and accountable.
Something that I have already started is changing my diet, I feel better when I am eating healthy, and its important that I keep lots of healthy foods around the house. In my previous job I made a point to eat healthy, but would then binge on sweets from the kitchen or pantry. Now that I work from home I have the control over what I keep in the house, and from here on out its lots of fresh fruits and veggies and less cookies and cheese.
Next on my list of getting my work life balance in check is activities. In my previous career I was on my feet for 6+ hours a day , walking, driving and busy. Now that I work from home I am at home, sitting for most on the day. When my hubby comes home in the evenings we try to take our dogs for a walk but that is at most twice a week. I have low key been noticing small changes in my body(not in a good way) and was trying to ignore it, but after talking with Keith a couple of weeks ago(and finding out he had been noticing too) I have decided to add MORE MOVEMENT back into my days. SO I am on the hunt for a class, or classes to start taking where I am mixing in movement with my days. I am also hoping that having a concrete something a few days a week will help me to set my days up better.
Last on my list of work life balance changes is establishing a work schedule that I can really get into, that way I am not stuck working on Sunday nights prepping Mondays blog post. I know that some of this is being a new entrepreneur and that comes with the territory BUT I feel like I can be better about getting my work done so I am free on nights and weekends.
I am blogging all of this for a couple of reasons. I want to share this journey in case there are any other new bloggers or entrepreneurs out there going through the same thing. And also so I am accountable to all of you. I am making these changes so I can be a better person, a better blogger and a better family member.
I think thats enough “Deep Thoughts” for now LOL.
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Lisa says
Just know it is not just an age thing. People struggle at any age with new life changes. I am right beside you as I try to figure out this retirement gig. Not so sure I like it. But we will both figure it out!
Cathy Tilton says
Godspeed, girl! I started my business almost six years ago, and it has taken me a looooooong time to get into a good work/life balance groove. The best thing I did was divide up my day. So I work in the morning, then I take a few hours away to life my live, then I go back and do a few more hours. It gives me a chance to move around, run errands, do some laundry, or rest if I am not feeling well. I generally save my writing for the evening since I feel more creative when the sun goes down. But you’ll figure out what works best for you. Good luck!!