Every home has a story, and they are as vast and varied as the world is wide. But they all start with inspiration, and inspiration starts with our surroundings. That’s what home is. Family. Friends. A sense of place. An amazing view. It is all part of what makes a space a home because your home is where you truly live. As homeowners ourselves we understand that your best life begins with a home that inspires you.
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“Work doesn’t work without play!”
— Unknown
It means that without time off from work, a person becomes both bored and boring.
It’s easy to get into workaholic mode. You’ve got meetings to prepare for, projects to create (or in my case, lessons), emails to send, and a million other to-do items. I know. We’ve all been there, and often don’t even realize it until friends start calling us out about how MIA we’ve been.
Hard work equals success, and success is not for the lazy. But it is important for us to also take some time for ourselves.
1. Set a schedule for how late you plan to be at work.
It is so easy to lose track of time when you’re working on something and you’ve got a deadline. Set a schedule for how late you plan to stay at work. If you’re required to be there until 5:00 but usually stay much later, compromise somewhere in the middle. Then be sure to stick to it. If you mean to leave at 6:00 PM, leave at 6:00 PM. Don’t tell yourself: just one more thing. That “one thing” can very quickly turn into a dozen.
2. Leave work at work.
Unless you work from home, leave your work at work. If you absolutely have to take things home, prioritize them in manageable chunks. I’m in a profession where I typically have evening grading to do – it’s just a matter of determining what needs to come first. If you work from home, separate your work space from your living space. Don’t touch that desk until you “go back to work.” If your mind is always occupied with one more thing that needs to be done, you’ll never find that good balance between work and play.
3. Make plans with the people in your life.
Spontaneously text your friends one random evening and get together. We’ve all got lives, and busy ones at that. Take the time to schedule plans with friends and family. The upside of this is that it also gives you something to look forward to!
4. Take time for your own individual activities.
These activities vary. It really depends on your mood. Some days… read a book, or binge watch Netflix. Maybe go for a run through the park, or hit the weights at the gym. Or for it might mean playing the piano for an hour or archery target practice at the range. Pay attention to your moods, and choose an activity you enjoy. Don’t have a lot of hobbies? Find a new one. These are good outlets, especially when you are stressed about something work related. Doing something you like helps balance your overall life attitude.