I was away for a couple of days last weekend up north at the in-laws with Mr. T. Internet connection was intermittent and we were lucky that the heat wasn’t as bad as a few weeks ago while we were there then (in that we weren’t dripping with sweat after a bath!)
It was hectic before we left and guess what – it’s still hectic now that we’ve returned. I guess it’s all a cycle. Some weeks move along faster than others while other days it feels like it’s dragging its feet. Taking some time away from our desks reminded us that time can stand still in some aspects: work being one of them. Maybe it’s an equation that needs us in it in order for it to fully compute. Without us, there would be no work. And likewise, what are we without work?
I’ve always thought that when I arm myself with a book and some time on the couch, I can escape work for a little while. I know now that it’s fleeting – I still have work at the back of my mind. Or at least I’m subconsciously still trying to link my problems with a possible answer. All these synapses trying to connect while reading a book. It’s exhausting.
Maybe one needs to physically get away from work before they can ever see it from the rearview mirror. One thing’s for sure though: it’s always waiting with open arms when you return. But if you’re lucky it won’t be tugging at your sleeves – asking when you’ll be back or begging you to come back sooner.
Share with me: How do you guys take your mind off work? Are you able to tell work to stay where it is and don’t move, while you shift gears and sit in another room; or must you completely leave your studio or your workroom in order to have some semblance of a life outside of work?
Dear Amy,
I can totally understand your question, I’m always struggling with that as well! It really helps me to take little break or some distance from work, but i really have to do effort to tear myself away. So I can’t help you, but let know you’re not the only one…maybe that helps.
Nope I just can’t escape it… my brain is always working on creating! When I am away from it I’m thinking about it… I think it’s because I don’t have much time in my day to do what I want so I slightly obsess! I love it… though I do agree you do need a mental break occasionally 🙂
Ohhhhh. It’s so much harder when you run your own business. There is always something to do. I think it’s essential to allocate play hours, quiet time and NO screen time and guard that time jealously. Start to educate your clients to only be able to get you during work hours and communicate timeframes with them so they now their boundaries.
All sounds easy in theory.
The other thing I do to keep me sane is I have a maintenance regime — I exercise, have fortnightly (sometimes weekly) acupuncture, AND I only ever work weekends if I really really really have a specific job that needs to get out. If I find I’m doing that every weekend, I need to revisit my client list and wonder who I can get rid of… 🙂
First, I love this illustration! Getting away from work, well, I attempt to at yoga but I am not so enlightened that it doesn’t creep in. Dance parties help. 🙂
I have to completely get away, which usually involves leaving the house, to switch off. But mostly I love my work so it’s not so bad. Still, I can drive myself insane and be a complete insomniac thinking about work sometimes! Exercise is helpful, though I don’t do it nearly as often as I should!
Love this illustration! I usually get out a favorite hobby to wind down and step away from my work. Although I do a lot of art and crafting for my business, I still like to create things just for myself. I doodle in my art journal, work on my latest needlepoint kit, or even get out a puzzle! During the summer time I also love taking walks through my neighborhood, working in my garden, and cooking.