There are all sorts of obligation that we stack on our day. In addition, there can be obligations to ourselves. There are tasks we must get done to keep our tummies filled, our heads dry, and our selves safe. It's harder to recognize the obligations to ourselves to keep our hearts full and our heads clear. Here lies the Life / Work Balance. For the over 160 million working Americans, and others who have other less recognized jobs (homemakers et al) we try to keep a balance in keeping an obligation to the jobs that keep us and our family and to balance that with our need for compassion, fun, recreation, health, and spirit.
Some of the first few sessions with clients will visit self care - are you keeping healthy physically and doing what you can to live a mentally fit lifestyle? Life / Work balance can get more complicated, though. Life / Work balance will feel uncomfortable. When you start making room for more life you may find yourself wrapping up your workday with undone tasks. You may feel like your opting out of important work meetings or events that meet in the evening or weekend. The unanswered phone calls and emails, feel like their dangling when you've put a little more life in your day and week.
Certain themes especially make this an anxious transition. A sense of perfectionism, obligation, and need to be liked all can interfere with this transition. Take the time to recognize how other coworkers are fitting in balance. Take the time to recognize your competencies, your demonstrations of responsibility, and how you're appreciated. Greater allowances for time-off, friends, family, sport, etc. will actually improve your productivity.
If this helps -- even the leaders of The Free World take vacation days:
The latest news and writing from Michael Sibrava, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington State. He's a trained EMDR therapist and practicing psychotherapist in Seattle's First Hill neighborhood. Entries provide insights into the field of counseling and psychology.
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Monday, February 2, 2015
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Happy 2015!!!
New Year's has been the biggest holiday for Envision Therapies. It's the celebration of passing time -- putting the past to rest (not forgetting) and celebrating the coming year. There's a celebration of the present moment. We observe how our lives change from one moment to the next -- we don't need to live in the past (or the future.)
Happy 2015 -- here's to change! here's to the moment!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)