It's About Balance

Balance. A life once chaotic has now achieved balance. I am far less stressed now than I was two years ago when I started working from home. Working from home meant that my granddaughter would stay with me while her parents went about their lives. I was constantly stopping what I needed to do for work to tend to the whimsies of a toddler. I was getting behind on deadlines, forgetting to eat or to feed the toddler. And I had to childproof my home.

I sat with a therapist who gave me expert advice. Prioritize, include "me time", separate my work area at home from all things family related, and stop trying to be a Martha Stewart clone. Easier said than done. I started simply. I decided that time with my granddaughter should be something that I initiated instead of having her thrust upon me. (My daughter wasn't too pleased with that.) I set my work day on a four on 3 off. I would work ten hours with an hour for lunch on Monday through Thursday. My three days off would be strictly family time.

During my "lunch hour" I decided to walk around the block throw in a load of laundry, start dinner. There was more to do than just sit and type all day. The movement and the consistency helped me lose a few pounds. A double bonus. In the mornings while contemplating the days events, I ironed. I love ironing. For me it is the ultimate form of stress relief. When I'm ironing, I can't let my mind wander over deadlines. It requires concentration on pleats and at the end there was a reward.

So for those who haven't figured out how to balance work and home life, follow these simple steps.

1. Take some time out just for yourself.

2. Leave your job at work.

3. Exercise and eat right.

4. Make certain that you are spending quality time with your family. It's not how long, but how well that makes the difference.

5. Prioritize your work and your family time. And stick to it.

Good luck, I wish you great success!