Worklife Balance-Changes Through The Year
Work life balance has changed for many over the last few years. Fortunately I have been ahead of the game in prioritizing this balance since 2017. I have never had a conventional job but have worked many jobs at once and long/odd hours. Because of this and my fibromyalgia, I knew early on it was important to figure out a balance that works best for me.
When I first became a trainer I hustled but didn’t allow my schedule to run my life. I prioritized grouping sessions together, working out during breaks and napping when needed. Unfortunately this system was only able to last for 2 years. My body became overworked and I began napping 2-3hrs daily, waking up more exhausted than when I laid down. It was a symptom of the fibro but it was also a reflection of my work life balance and how it wasn’t working for me. I was training 5am to noon, taking a break and then having evening clients before going to theatre rehearsals. I was sleeping midnight to 4am and then making up for it with daily naps. But those accumulated 8 hours weren’t serving me. My body was inflamed, in pain and exhausted.
I then received an opportunity to take a remote job which would allow me to build my private training business. This offer was my way out, to regain the control I thought I had, and reprioritize my health, not just focusing on my clients’.
I’ve spent many years working out the new balance and I think only in the last year have I really hit a stride.
Biggest Changes that have had the biggest rewards:
Consistent wake up time-I’d like to say I do a consistent bed time AND wakeup time but that’s just not realistic. What I can control is the time I wake up. I set a 7am alarm mon-fri and wake up naturally on the weekends. 7 is late for most working people but having a 9am work start time with a slow 2 hr transition has made a big difference in my energy, pain and productivity.
When I do have client requests for early sessions I stack them back to back and limit it to 2x a week so my schedule is still balance between 2 early days and 2 normal days.
The transition to fall and winter is also a challenge, so I allow myself extra sleep and cat naps during this time if my body truly needs.
Morning Routine- I never had one, and I still alter it from day to day but I take the first 2 hrs of the day to slowly enter the day, focus my mind and provide self care.
Hot cup of anything-coffee, matcha, tea, doesnt matter I just want something cozy mixed with collagen protein to get the body woken up
Skincare routine with ice rolling to decrease my newly found TMJ and my arm as its most painful first thing in the morning (ill talk about this in another post)
Reading and To-do list-im obsessed with getting organized for my day so i’ll use this time to plan my priorities for the day/week
Will answer emails before the world gets started. I find it relaxing to clear my inbox before people get into the office for the day and once they do-I hit the gym! This way by the time they’ve done their morning priorities, i’ve already done enough for myself and are ready to handle the days demands
Move over workouts-prioritizing movement instead of workouts. I used to be someone who carried so much guilt over missing a workout. I would be kinder to my clients than to myself. Now i focus on daily movement that supports how my body is feeling on a day to day basis.
If my energy levels or work don’t call for a morning workout I will fit it into a work break later in the day
I schedule my workouts daily but if my energy doesn’t match up, I adjust. This has helped me so much by removing the “grind” attitude and using it as a break from the day. A self care session midday when my mind and body are aligned.
Ultimately, balance is about flexibility and recognizing what your needs are and prioritizing them so you can be of service to others. I recognize i’m fortunate to be able to prioritize it to this degree, but if i don’t it affects my health and then my work. I have a routine that will adapt and change over the years and that’s okay too.
