We work a lot. Even when we’re not strictly working, other projects occupy our time. Our blogs. Stories. Hobbies. Sometimes we get to the point where even family gatherings or time with friends turns into just one more thing to add to the list. You can’t wait for the day to be over because then you can get to the part of really living: free time.

But if free time is all you’re living for, just consider how much life you’re missing in between.

I completely understand this mindset of living for free time, as I often struggle with it. Sometimes, when I wake up, I find myself wishing I could skip past all the work and just get to lying on the couch at the end of the day. Don’t get me wrong – some days are just like that. But this way of thinking can quickly become a dangerous habit. It’s sneaky, too, so you might not even realise how much you’re doing it until you’re completely ingrained in this mindset.

I get it. Work can be a drag. Maybe you don’t even enjoy work. I’ve been there, too; when I was a teacher, after I hit the halfway point in the year, I woke up every morning already dreading the entire day. I fell into this trap of living for my free time, but I’ve learned better habits (and found a job much more suitable for me). Even with a difficult job, you can still live life as a whole rather than only being truly present for 20% of it. Think of how much more living you’ll do!

Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Begin each day thankful

There’s nothing like thankfulness to begin a positive day. Recognising how wonderful life truly is – from the weather to the bed you sleep in – shifts your focus to positivity right off the bat.

2. Find something you enjoy about work

Maybe it’s the lunches, a friend, or the coffee machine in the break room. Whatever it is, focus on that rather than all the negatives. Search for things at work to be thankful for. Find joy in doing whatever it is you do.

3. Rethink your priorities

If you’re extremely miserable at work or find yourself burned out at the end of each day, have a think about what you can change. Getting a new job can be scary, but maybe it’s what you need. Or maybe you just need to cut back on all the activities you’re doing in addition to work. Remember, we all have limits! It’s better to enjoy doing a few things than get consistently burned out doing many things.

This shift in thinking isn’t easy, but it’s not impossible, either! Rest is great, but let’s not idolise it – or work, for that matter. Let’s find the healthy balance that allows us to live life to the fullest.

Have questions? Comments? I’d love to hear from you below!

Happy writing!
-E.J.

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Photo by Alexandar Todov on Unsplash