How do you balance work and life?
My work in the arts began 13 years ago and I would say I've been seeking to find balance in that ever since. My vocation these days is also a deep passion/interest of mine and I feel fortunate to have it that way. To create joy for others and myself has been what drives my need to use my artistic expression as my work.
My “life” involves a husband, two children, extended family and friends that need my devoted time and mental energy just like my paid work demands of me. I know my family is my legacy and that what I leave behind through my relationships will have far reaching impact, even more than my artistic expressions might do. When I keep in mind that the people close to me are my top priority then my work doesn’t take over my every moment. I want to purposely choose how I am present with whom and what I'm serving each day.
One of the ways I do that is to set an expectation that there is a rhythm to my time/days and not an unmovable schedule to obey. I create a list of what needs to be accomplished for the week on Sunday and write the list out. I then take a deep breath and make a point to figure out what has a deadline or expectation that involves other people which must be met. I know that those are the unmovable items. The rest of my to-do list is full of things that make me function as a healthy artist, wife, mother, friend and more. Each day I start with my hopes and the space that if something changes I am emotionally prepared to shift. I am a more content and productive person if I give room to be flexible.
How do you make time for Sabbath/rest?
I know that rest is so important because I have gone through stages of being run down and worn out. I know when I ignore taking time to have rest mentally I will suffer for it physically. I try to keep boundaries on my time to find moments of rest. I used to think that time for rest had to be large chunks cut out of the day to feel fulfilled. I do try to find time for “rest” that spans an hour or more, but these days I am learning to enjoy 10-30 minutes of peace the same way an hour could restore me.
In the times I set aside, I experience active and stationary rest. My rest can be active such as taking a walk. When I am walking I try to turn off my business mind and focus on the health of my emotional state. This is where I listen to music or grow deeper in my faith through prayer. The physical movement of my body works through any physical stress or anxiety I am experiencing as I take time to find mental refreshment.
My rest can be stationary when I am sitting quietly, reading, or journaling what is on my mind. Its’ much easier for me to be moving, which makes me think I’m more productive, so making my body stop and stay still for slower activities is something I am working on. This sitting happens a lot at night. I used to do a lot of my creative job at night, but in the last few years as my workload has grown I’ve made it a habit to be asleep each night by 10:30 pm. I work at quieting my mind by turning the “work” mode off by 10:00 pm or so. My intention of not working late is the biggest consistent step for rest I’ve made.
What would you suggest to a busy business owner looking for a break but just can’t With so many things to do?
I will admit this question is a heavy one to give an answer to. Most days I feel like I am not finding a break. The fact that my husband and I are both self-employed, working on the same business, makes the stress of sustaining that business heavy. For so long I wanted to be seen as superwoman. I want to be someone who is unstoppable and handles everyone and everything.
Over the last four years of our business growing from a home based one to a brick and mortar commercial space in Manheim, I’ve come to know that superwoman isn’t the working model of what I want to be. I would much rather be a worker bee buzzing in a healthy hive making the best honey. To make a business work it takes many people, conversations and skill sets. It’s hard to do, but finding ways to delegate responsibilities to others who are gifted and open to do the work can give you that break you desperately need.
Once you have passed off a task and find a tiny slot of “free time” give yourself a guilt free pass to enjoy it. Don’t fill it with stress, but fun! I am all about finding joy-filled moments that will help combat the never ending worry. A few minutes or even an hour to do that special hobby, grab a hug from someone you love, or rocking out to your favorite music is a must. I see rest as a place in your mind/heart not just your physical body so I consider the idea that laughing is rest. Smiling is rest. A heart with gladness or peace is rest no matter how busy the schedule is.