December 15, 2016
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Looking for Balance
There are lots of articles in magazines and on the web addressing the need for work/home balance. My professional publications contain pieces on "compassion fatigue" and "burn-out" and other syndromes or conditions brought on by a lack of stress coping skills and an imbalance between work and leisure. Which brings me to today's blog. I can't really tell you what is happening in detail and I can't point fingers and name names. However I can talk in general terms and that's exactly what I'm going to do.
I love what I do. I love the animals and I like many of my coworkers. I have deliberately kept my work and my social life separated. There has been a building tension at work. There are deadlines with dire consequences attached for failing to complete the tasks in the allotted time period. The end of the year contains a few additional time sensitive tasks that are not on the radar for my superiors. Things like making the CE calendar for 2017, updating the online learning assignments, developing a schedule for the professional education registry, writing the newsletter, and the end of the year database cleanup. All that on top of the usual end of the month stuff - Word of the Day lists, Word of the Day quizzes, updating the website among others. I just endured our safety inspection and we'll get our final 2 year certification if today's follow-up visit goes well. To say I'm feeling the pressure is a gross understatement.
This month has been filled with numerous occasions for social interactions with the work crew beyond the normal work day. So many in fact that I'm feeling disinclined to look at my coworkers let alone make small talk. We have two more parties to go before the Christmas break. I am not looking forward to them. I need to get away from the noise. I want to NOT think about how I'm going to accomplish the tasks I've been assigned when road blocks are thrown up. There has to be balance. I used to be able to find it - that sweet spot between home and work that was just for me. Ceramics is on break until the second week of January so I don't have that creative outlet. All I've got right now is xanga and the anticipation of Christmas. So perhaps by writing all this out and sharing it with you I can put it out of my mind for a little while and find that balance before I find my tipping point!
Comments (21)
I am wishing you a wonderful season and smooth sailing through office parties. Don't care for them myself either. May your heart and soul find joy and peace during this hectic time!
Thank you! I am hoping for some time away during the holidays - time when I don't have to think about work at all!! My hope is that a little me time will give me renewed focus and enthusiasm for work!
If you HAVE to go to the parties, maybe you can quietly make an early exit.
Yep - there is no shirking of party attendance permitted. I have to be a team player and that means going to the parties. We are winding down and this next week is a short one! I will be spending some time with "behind the scenes" tasks so that will create some alone time away from the crush of the party.
My work had one off campus party and that would usually be it, other than to attend service, or a Choir sing, but I have become friends with some of the others there, so when one woman, a mother of two children I watch, asked if my son and I would care to join her in her new house for dinner this weekend, we accepted. Upon getting a yes, she then asked if I would be willing to ride with her to Mobile Alabama to pick up her sister for the holidays because she does not like long drives alone. I agreed because it's what friends do, even if I know it's just to get there turn around and return, no fun sightseeing or shopping or such.
Yes, sometimes work blends into family time, but let's hope we all do get enough quality family time, and feel blessings through what we do for work and work aquaintences.
During this busy time of year of work, parties, shopping, and extra obligations, may we feel accomplished, and still find some rest at the end of all of it.
So nice of you to join her on her trip! It is indeed what friends do. My coworkers (with the exception of Mr. Fudd) are not people I socialize with outside of work. I will have 11 days off during the break. We are going to visit my sister in Pensacola Beach. Perhaps we can get together? I would LOVE to see you again!!
'tis the season to be jolly! But sometimes that is "easier said than done" as the saying goes. Take some deep breaths, thank God each morning for life and then choose to be happy...one day at a time. My love and motherly advice to you for this blog my sweet, creative, hard working daughter.
I've been breathing deeply! And staying as jolly as possible. It is hard work being the "blue bird of happiness"!
It would seem that one or two parties with the work group should be enough -- I used to dislike having to go to "command parties," and would find a way out as early as possible (?another party?!)
The university likes to party! At least the last couple of parties have been very large affairs so that I didn't have to rub elbows with the coworkers too much! The next two will be "just us" so it will be impossible to avoid the one-on-one interactions. Luckily I am counting down until the holiday vacation starts!!!
I am with you when it comes to too many parties and the hoopla. I cannot stand too much noise or one person talking incessantly at the dining table. Grrr.
Yesterday a professor from a local university came over to get some children's books for his niece's class room in a little town close by. I offered him to come in and have a cup of tea and some cookies. He sat down and talked and talked and talked for almost two hours, and he was so loud, as if he was lecturing a class. When he left, I had a throbbing headache that lasted for many hours. M and I speak softly and usually don't raise our voices unless we are trying to let Zain from not climbing the walls!!
Blessings to you in this season and I hope you achieve every thing and are completely satisfied with what you have done.
They say that no good deed goes unpunished - hehe! I'm sure the Professor was thrilled to see you and just had so much to tell you. It is nice to have some quiet time with Sparky so I can relate.
Animals and coworkers? Are you a vet or an animal shelter worker? I know what you mean about the need for a balance. Ceramics are quite interesting, have you been doing it long? I've taken up crocheting. Takes alot of time but pretty relaxing. Hope things on your end get better =)
Chaos seems to attract more chaos. I am a registered veterinary technician. I've been doing ceramics for about 17 years - I enjoy the physical manipulation of the clay...
It's good that you will have some days off soon. Maybe your parties will get canceled due to weather? There should be some advantage to the bad weather we're having.
Nope - no cancellations. The next one is Monday and unless we have a state of emergency it will happen as scheduled.
@murisopsis: yes yes yes
When we get to Pensacola Beach I'll call or text and we can make a date!!
@murisopsis: sounds like a plan.
Great! See you soon!!!
@murisopsis: You are doing a true service to the universe and I thank you for being a vet. <3