This month, I’m celebrating my two-year blogiversary. This post was originally published April 9th, 2008. This version has been slightly edited, because I realized it’s unbearable to re-post something I wrote two years ago without making some revisions.
Work-life balance tops pay– this according to a recent Hudson survey of 1,634 workers who have been in their current jobs for at least five years. The question: What is the primary reason you accepted your current position? Work-life balance topped the list, over compensation (a close second), work culture, training opportunities and advancement opportunities.
Work-life balance. What does that really mean? My hairdresser asked me a question that got me thinking about the topic– she owns the salon, is in her early thirties, and she has twin toddlers and a third child on the way. “Balance,” she asked as she applied more foils, “do you think you have that?”
Hmmm… I’ll have to get back to you.
I know what I’m seeking, in my personal and professional life, is a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Life is never perfectly balanced. I think the key is noticing when things are getting out whack and adjusting when necessary. When areas of my life are being seriously neglected, my body and my emotions rebel.
I believe those who put a premium on work-life balance are really saying they want a career that doesn’t crowd out everything else they love in life. If we’re working all day and night and constantly getting sucked into the black hole of the Crackberry, chances are, we’re missing out on a lot of other important stuff. Like exercise, sleep, quality time with family and friends, and personal hobbies and interests outside of work.
Oh– and getting a highlight in the middle of the day. That’s pretty fun, too.
How do you define balance? Does it even exist? How do you find your peace in the midst of it all?
Happy Blogiversary! Angie you are a delight. I enjoy your blog so much and I am thankful for your honest observations. OK in answer to the questions put forth, How do I define balance? That’s a good day, No Moment actually when I don’t feel like I am completely going insane. Does it exist? Oh Yes it truly does, it comes to visit and then quickly explodes in your face. But that one moment, that one fine lovely and beautiful moment is what we hold on to. We spend the rest of our time seeking it. How do you find your peace in the midst of it all? I Breathe. Just Breathe. And when I can I find something in nature to connect to and ground me again. Then I wake up and do it all again. Always seeking that one moment.
When you say the word balance, I think the image that comes to mind is a scale with equal weight on both sides. But mothering and work (in my case a day job and writing) never look like that. The scale is always moving. Some days the family life duties overtake work ones and vice-versa.
What I’m learning to do now is to do the most I can with what I’ve got. In my writing life, I’m beginning a huge revision of my novel. I’m excited, but I won’t have a big block of concentrated time to work on it until July, when I’m alone in a condo I rented for that purpose. Until then I have to work in bits and pieces. I can be resentful or accept that this is the only way I can balance things in this current season of my life.
In my family life, I have a 17 year old who needs a lot of attention as we get him ready to apply to college. My younger son is playing lacrosse and the family pets mess up the carpet daily, so my dance card is full! Some days I feel like I’ve short-changed everyone, other days I feel like I did a little of everything.
The hard part is that you never know exactly how what shape the day will take until you’re in the middle of it!