Originally authored by April Klimkiewicz at Bliss Evolution
Sometimes, life feels a lot harder than it has to be. We feel overwhelmed with work, with making enough money, with having time for the people and things we love, and we find ourselves S T R E S S E D O U T. It’s a terrible feeling, and then we have to work doubly hard to de-stress.
But what if you took preventative measures instead? What if, instead of letting stress get the best of you on the regular, you had a system in place to make sure you were making time for all the things that are most important to you?
What if you could truly love the life you live?
Sound unattainable? Check out the steps below, and I bet you’ll be surprised at how much you’re already doing right. Make sure to add in the things you’ve been neglecting, and watch your life transform!
1. Figure out what you want to do for work
Easier said than done? Nope! I have loads of free resources right here on this blog that I create and curate just for you. Plus, there are some really simple things you can easily do to start the process now.
+ Research
Learn about options that are out there that sound interesting to you. This can be as simple as a google search for terms related to career or work that sound appealing to you. Learn about different jobs and professions, read people’s blogs or stories. Once you’ve done some research, and narrowed your interests down a bit, keep a list of the things that sound the most appealing.
+ Talk to someone
Once you’ve got your list going, learn more about it by talking to someone doing that type of work. Not sure where to begin? Contact local professional associations and trade organizations to discover if there is someone in your fields of interest who is willing to talk to you about what their experiences in the industry have been like.
+ Test it out
You may not be ready to just up and change jobs on a whim, especially if you’re considering multiple options. Take some time to test out each option and really get a feel for what you’ll be getting into. Determining whether you’ll like it long term or if it just sounded like a good idea is important before making a big career decision. Volunteering or job shadowing is a great low-pressure way to learn about what “a day in the life” in a job is like.
If you need more help learning how to figure it out, check out the career change blog post, or meet with me. Figuring out what you want to do for work is closer than you think!
2. Make time for the things you like to do for fun
Getting work squared away is important, but so is making time for the things you like to do that bring you joy.
+ Hobbies
Hobbies are important! They get you thinking, moving, and connecting with like-minded people. Don’t fall into the trap of putting all your important commitments first and neglecting to make time for doing the things that rejuvenate you and allow you to clear your head.
+ Local events
Whether it’s eating at local food trucks, spending a day at the park, or volunteering for your favorite (non-career-related) organization, actually doing the things you enjoy doing in your community can recharge your batteries.
A fulfilling life includes making time for your hobbies and the things that light you up from the inside. Making sure you get to your hobbies and local events will give you something to look forward to after work and on weekends, and it will also bring positive energy of things to look forward to into your life.
3. Carve out time for those you care about
Getting work squared away is important, but so is making time for the things you like to do that bring you joy.
Kids, your partner, parents, family, friends. How do you like to spend time with the people you love? Don’t run yourself so ragged at work that you don’t have time for the people that matter most in your life. Make time periodically for big family dinners, time out with friends for coffee, an outing with your kids at the science museum, brunch and browsing at a farmer's market.
Don’t fall into the trap of being in the same room but being on your phone! Make the effort to spend some quality time with the people you care about most.
4. Make a plan to get away from it all
Getting work squared away is important, but so is making time for the things you like to do that bring you joy.
+ Travel
Whether it’s a weekend away, a staycation, or a longer trip abroad, travel invites us to learn things about ourselves and our loved ones that we might not have discovered otherwise. Tune in to your own culture in the place you live or the culture of those around you. Immerse yourself in the newness of going somewhere different and viewing it through the eyes of an adventurer, a nature enthusiast, a food connoisseur, or a music lover. The featured photograph for this article is one I took myself along the Appalachian Trail, and that was a rejuvenating getaway!
+ Leisure time
Build in "me time:” watching your favorite show, floating in the pool, setting aside some time for meditation or a massage, whatever it is that recharges your batteries. In the airplane safety instructions, we learn to put on our own oxygen mask before helping others. You can’t continue to be there for others if you don’t have the necessary things for yourself.
Be sure to take yourself as seriously as you take your important commitments. Having a plan to get away from it all will rejuvenate you for when it's time to get back to work.
Live the life you love so you can love the life you live
Keep these four steps to living the life you love in your back pocket. Take into account what you’re doing well. Determine where you need to put a little extra time. And, check back on these steps often to be sure you’re taking preventative measures to de-stress and live the life you love.