Wasting Free Time or Deserving Rest: Balancing Work and Leisure
Have you ever felt like you’re wasting time on your days off when all you do is hit the snooze button and catch up on sleep? The question I often ponder is whether it's okay to indulge in rest and relaxation, or if it signals some sort of disconnection from your career and personal life.
Is Your Free Time Well-Used?
Some might argue that weekends are for fun and adventure. However, when you’ve been working hard throughout the week, it feels perfectly fine to just lay in bed and recharge. Yet, there’s a common sentiment suggesting that your free time should be filled with more productive activities to maintain a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
If your job consistently leaves you exhausted, it might not just be time to change the job, but reevaluate the activities and lifestyle you choose to do after work. Finding a job that you enjoy can significantly affect your overall outlook on life. It took me years to find my ideal career, but the effort was worth it—everywhere I look, I see people in jobs that they simply tolerate because they don't truly enjoy them. This kind of work is a form of job slavery, and choosing to work around your life instead is a true gift.
Benefits of Prioritizing Rest
Slepping on your days off is perfectly fine, especially if you’ve been working long hours. It’s important to give yourself the restorative break necessary to restore your mind and body. Prioritizing rest is crucial after hard work, and it contributes to a healthier and happier lifestyle. It's about finding balance in your life.
Remember, you're not 90% of your life; your life and your well-being are crucial. So, embrace the moments of rest and use your energy wisely. Even if your career takes up a significant portion of your day-to-day, there are ways to balance your time and prevent burnout.
A Slight Glance into My Weekend Routine
Take, for example, my routine on a day when I have a corporate job. After a hectic workweek, I wake up at 4:45 AM to start my day. First, I brew some coffee while I spend an hour in the bathroom, getting ready with care and attention. My grooming routine, from shaving to styling my hair, takes about an hour. Once I finish, I dress in business casual attire I’ve worked hard to accumulate, ensuring that my outfit is polished and stylish.
With my morning routine complete, I head to work, ensuring that I arrive before 9 AM, typically with only a ten-minute commute. Upon returning home, I usually watch some TV and unwind, ready for an early night by around 11 PM. This is a stark contrast to my free time, where I delight in sleeping in on Saturdays. Even though my body could sleep past six, I choose to do other activities because sleeping simply isn't pleasurable for me.
Indulging in leisure activities on my days off, whether productive or not, is a matter of personal choice. As long as it doesn’t negatively impact others, you have the freedom to do as you wish. So, if you find yourself hitting the snooze button and heading back to bed, it might just be your body's way of telling you to rest and recover.
Cheer for you and your well-earned rest.