Have you been prioritizing rest?
Taking control of your Work-Life balance.
Hello dear friend,
The weekend was a hectic one, and I barely got any time to rest.
When Monday morning rolled in, I was low on energy and didn't feel like doing any work.
I decided to take it slow and spend most of my time reading or watching something on the TV.
When my friend (who works in software, and 12-hour workdays are the norm for him) saw me loitering about, he asked, "Is anything wrong?"
I told him I'm taking a slow day.
"But why?" he asked.
"Because I don't feel like doing anything," I said.
He gave a small eye roll and let out a sigh. Then, he shrugged and said, "Okay."
I know he didn't mean to judge. I also know that his work standards are different from mine. I gave up my job and started this freelance writing business only because I wanted to work on my own terms.
But the way my friend reacted made me feel guilty.
I see him working from 11 AM to 11 PM non-stop every day, and most days, I feel guilty for not working hard enough.
But I have to remind myself that every person's way of approaching work is different. What worked for him needn't be the universal solution to every person's dilemma.
If I feel like taking a break, I should be able to do so without having to justify the reasons to anyone, least of all, myself.
If you're looking for a takeaway, here's one: It's okay to take breaks, and no, you don't need to justify them to anyone.
Your brain might trick you into believing you're not doing enough. But breaks help you refresh and come back with renewed energy.
They are just as important as ticking tasks off your to-do list. Don't ignore the transformative power of taking a day (or week) off.
You deserve it.
Follow your energy, and do what your body permits.
As long as you stick to the deadlines and client/boss expectations, you should be okay. Don't let the hustle culture of today fool you into thinking that you're a failure if you don't work 12 hours a day.
Have you ever felt guilty for taking time off from work? How did you deal with it?
Do let me know your thoughts by replying to this email.
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That’s all from my end today. I’ll see you again soon. Till then, stay strong. Keep smiling and be awesome.
With love,
Anangsha.