Work-Life Balance and Setting Aside Time to Unwind

Can you achieve work-life balance? How do you define it? Whether you have work-life balance and whether you view clear boundaries between the two depends on how much you love your job and how much time you devote to it. Some days, your job eats up so much of your day that you just want to unwind and forget about life’s demands. How do you clear your mind and unwind?

Daily writing prompt
How do you unwind after a demanding day?
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Remote work has made it easier to blend home and work life into one room. Emails and various apps have made it easier to blur the lines between work and personal time. You can even answer work messages on weekends and when you’re on vacation.

The constant plug-in to workplace communication and work tasks can be exhausting. People need a break from work to recharge and return to their tasks with fresh eyes. But is it bad to blend work and home life together?

Step Away from the Office Where You Live

Some people love their career enough that working is as enjoyable as watching Netflix or playing video games. I’ve met some of these people (so they do exist).  

If you enjoy your work as much as a hobby, then working the extra hours is not that much different from downtime. I’ve met a graphic designer who designs additional graphics for his client because it’s something he enjoys doing. I’ve also met professional writers who switch from writing non-fiction during the day to writing fiction as a hobby at night. Owners of small businesses go to networking breakfasts and dinners before or after business hours to build a support network.

Step Into a World Without Demands

After a long, demanding day, it’s nice to just forget about everything. You can spend time with friends and family and do nothing else but enjoy your time together. You can finally watch the next episode of your favorite TV show, cook yourself a nice meal, or read a book.

You can also use your downtime to learn something new for personal interest or for something related to work. Everyone should always be learning new things, whether it is a new hobby, skill, or tips on personal growth. People challenge themselves with fitness goals, reading goals, or social goals. 

Key Takeaways

If you enjoy what you do, perhaps spending a lot of time on a job or business is no different than investing time and energy in a hobby. With this perspective, would work-life balance be “balanced”?

I certainly like to unwind after a demanding day by doing a range of activities. Sometimes, I read, watch a show, or socialize. On other days, I unwind by studying topics related to building my work skills. 

What are your thoughts on work-life balance if you have a job or career that you love?

Fun Facts About Writing

How much do you love writing?  Whether you want to answer this question with a groan or heart emojis, writing is a necessary part of modern life.

For some, writing is a lucrative career. For others, writing is necessary, everyday communication through work emails, or texts with family and friends. Writing is a skill we can’t do without.

Over time, and with practice, you can improve on the skill to overcome writer’s block, awkward sentences, jumbled thoughts, or grammar issues. 

Because writing is an important part of our lives, we are sharing some amazing and shocking insights on writing skills. It’s astonishing what you can achieve when you put together a series of words!

  • What is the fastest time for writing a book? According to Guinness World Records, the fastest time to produce a novel is 9 hours 5 minutes 8 seconds. A team of 53 professional authors and academics wrote Moş Crăciun & Co.
  • How quickly does the English language change? Every two hours, a new word is added to the dictionary! Leading style guides such as Chicago, APA, MLA, and AP regularly revise their rules for punctuation and words and phrases. Writers and editors must keep up with the latest changes to ensure their writing is up to standard. 
  • Is there a limit to original story ideas? J.R.R. Tolkien had the idea for the Cauldron of Story (Pot of Soup), the collective imagination. All writers dip into this hypothetical pot, meaning no new stories are ever created.
  • How old is the earliest writing? About 5,500 years ago, humans drew symbols and images during the Stone Age. Around 3500 BCE, the first writing appeared, called Sumerian cuneiform, from pictographs. This writing system was used for business transactions, recording complaints, and refunds. Much later, writing developed into literature.
  • What are the most in-demand writing jobs? The most in-demand writing jobs are in content writing. Content writers write blog posts or articles. 
  • What are the highest-paid writing jobs? Some of the highest-paid writing jobs are (in no particular order): technical writer, copywriter, medical writer, speechwriter, screenwriter, ghostwriter, grant writer, and proposal writer. 
  • How much do writers make? The average writer’s salary in the United States is $65,000 (according to ZipRecruiter). The average salary for a creative writer in the United States is $52,576 (salary.com). Copywriter jobs pay from $75,000 to $140,000 (ZipRecruiter).
  • How is creative writing similar to professional athletics? German researcher Martin Lotze discovered that brain activity during the writing process and during athletic competitions is similar. However, professional writers use the speech-processing center of the brain while amateur writers use the vision center to visualize their story.
  • Do all writers write their own stories? If you have dysgraphia (difficulty with handwriting, typing, and spelling), it can be challenging to write a story. Author Agatha Christie published investigative books with the help of a typist like Barbara Blackburn, who could type 150 words per minute.

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Redoing the Past – Setting Boundaries

Daily writing prompt
Write about a time when you didn’t take action but wish you had. What would you do differently?
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When we are older, we are wiser. We also spend a lot of time rethinking past life decisions and choices. If only we had a time machine to fix whatever needs fixing! 

One such moment from the past that stands out is a moment at work. I wished I had taken action to set boundaries. Instead, I just let things happen and felt defeated afterward.

I’d just been hired at a new company. A week later, the company had a meeting and dinner. After the event, people started to leave, and the boss insisted on a tight-squeeze bear hug. To me, hugging is a personal preference, especially when meeting the boss for the first time, and (very much) especially when the boss is male and I’m not too fond of him. When I tried to distance-hug the boss (the barely touching hug), he accused me of having issues and lectured me in front of everyone about my lack of participation. I was too concerned about being fired to insist on my boundaries.

What would I do differently now? It’s easy in hindsight to reflect on what I would have done. I have the luxury of freezing the past moment and fixing it up. I would have said that I hug family, close friends, and coworkers I’ve established a relationship with. He did not have that relationship with me.

Communication is key. Setting boundaries is key. But both are not easy to do. Perhaps the best advice is to ask yourself if you would regret your decision in the future. If you insist on your boundaries, you will feel better about it in the long run.

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How to Create Success in Your Life

Are you the hero or the villain in your own story? Most people want to be the hero but it doesn’t always turn out that way.

Sometimes, you’re the villain. You become your own worst enemy when you tell yourself you can’t do something and you won’t succeed. But how do you defy that inner voice and outperform your expectations?

It’s easy to face a challenge we’ve conquered before. But how do we outperform ourselves?

The answer comes from a formula I learned in writing class. It applies to real life, too—it’s not just the stuff of fiction. But you might be thinking, it’s not possible to make your life turn out EXACTLY the way you want it to be!

Well, the outcome depends on the decisions you make now to achieve that success in life that you’re looking for. Here are the first three steps to take.

Daily writing prompt
Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow.
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Step 1: Embrace Change

Which would you rather be: a famous hero or an anonymous one? Everyone has their preference. Maybe you don’t even want to be famous and that’s okay. But are you happy with your life the way that it is? What would you do if you had a chance to make a change?

Change sometimes happens, even when we want to avoid it. Maybe you lost your job. Maybe you’re now a parent (and no one is really ready for that). You’re on a different journey than expected. What will you do now?

Don’t be the voice of self doubt. Your doubts are your enemy. Try the following tips instead:

1. Focus on one goal.

Use the K.I.S.S. method (Keep It Simple, Survivor!). Each day, decide on one thing you want to accomplish and get that done. Go for a 15-minute walk. Clean one room of your home. Learn one new thing from one YouTube video.

2. Challenge yourself.

Don’t accept things as they are. If you lose your job, find another one. (That suggestion is obvious, but the hard part is staying motivated to do this.) You can change your world the way it is right now. Be ready to climb a steep mountain though. Change isn’t easy.

Step 2: Define Your Journey

Your ability to succeed and achieve your dreams depends greatly on your choices. It becomes your identity. 

But what if you want to change where your life is headed right now? For example, if you want to change your career, you could take these steps:

1. Upgrade your skills.

You can take courses, watch free videos, network with people, get advice and information, or find a mentor. This advice also applies to other aspects of life, like improving relationships and improving at hobbies.

2. Change your situation.

Change is good. If your career isn’t headed in the right direction, consider changing jobs. If life isn’t what you expected, make new friends, visit new places, or change your focus.

Step 3: Define Your World – Create Your Boundaries

Creating your world may sound like fiction. In this case, it isn’t. Like they say, the world in your mind is the world you project on your reality.

If your inside voice – that voice of doubt – says you can’t do it, then the reality is you won’t. (Not saying you can fly if you put your mind to it – just saying if you set attainable goals, you can attain them.) So how will you see your world when you wake up tomorrow? How can you apply the following tips to define your life?

1. Adapt to a new reality.

If your circumstances change, make adaptations so your new reality will work out. If you get a pay cut, adjust your budget and set goals to improve your situation.

2. Grow stronger and build on what you have.

How can you build on your current skill set? What skills can you improve to do your current job more effectively? Do you have skills that are transferable to a new career?

Summary

You might not be a superhero, but you are still the hero on your journey. Your skills and mindset define the boundaries of your world and the path you’re headed for your future. We are like the heroes we read about in books and watch in movies.

Challenge yourself to complete a goal, upgrade your skills, or redefine yourself. Heroes don’t achieve great things by staying comfortable. So, what is your next big step in your journey? Comment below.

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5 Foolproof Ways for Everyday Things to Bring You Happiness

Is it possible to find happiness every day? Maybe, maybe not. You face enough of life’s tough challenges. I’m not going to try to turn any frowns upside down, but I can propose five foolproof ways for everyday things to bring happiness and a little joy to your life.  

Daily writing prompt
What are 5 everyday things that bring you happiness?
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1  Special object for your daily routine

We all have that particular object that is a part of our daily routine. It can be your favorite cup for your morning tea or coffee. Your day doesn’t quite feel right if you begin without it. But when you start your day with that cup, you feel that everything is right in your corner of the world. 

2 Special object to create the mood

Those earphones that play your favorite tunes to set the mood are important to create your work mode or relax mode. Fast tunes to motivate you to get your work done, or slow tunes to relax you at the end of the work day. 

Your special object might be mood lights. Bright lights that keep you awake and working, or dim lights in the evening when you start the movie you couldn’t wait to watch.

3 Special object for self care

It’s the little things that we look forward to, like reading the next chapter of a book we can’t wait to finish. Drawing a bubble bath to relax and calm all the stresses from the day. That phone for the call with that friend or family member who can’t wait to hear how your day went and who is always there to support you. 

4 Special place in your home  

We all need that special place to give us security, peace, and happiness. It’s our secret retreat. It can be the beanbag chair in the corner of the room where you curl up to read a book. The couch where you snuggle with your pets and blanket while you watch your favorite shows. Or your bed, where you can’t wait to rest your head and forget about the day’s challenges.

5 Special person in your life

A smile or a few words from a special person in your life can mean the world to you. Your significant other saying good morning or goodnight. Your parent giving you words of encouragement. A friend who sends you a picture of something because they thought of you.

Someone you admire can also bring happiness to your day. For example, playing a song by your favorite musician, reading a poem by your favorite writer, or even writing in your own journal can bring happiness when you see how far you’ve come in your journey.

Any of these people can be your rock.

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