How to have a life and a 9 5?

You’re just one layoff away from having an existential crisis on a Tuesday morning. And if you’re not learning or growing, you’re falling behind — simple as that. I do a lot — maybe too much at times. For context, here is what I do: 9–6 full-time job, Freelance work, Writing technical articles for clients, Writing posts like this one on Medium, Building side projects, Learning new tech, Solving DSA. I do a lot — maybe too much at times. And if you try to do multiple things, burnout is inevitable.

Set Your Boundaries: Know what your acceptable level of work is, and don’t exceed it. Don’t overwork yourself to the brink of collapse; take time to set boundaries around work-related tasks and expectations not only on your end but your team’s. We want to make it very clear what is to be expected by all parties here. It is okay to not take on the world at once; we are human and can only be tasked with so much before we drain ourselves. Make Time for Yourself — Schedule time each week to do activities you enjoy. You come first. Always remember you deserve time and need it. If you can take care of yourself first, you will be able to perform better at work and in life. Prioritize Yourself: Don’t overextend yourself with tasks that don’t move your career forward. Focus on what matters to you and what matters to your career. Take Regular Breaks: Get up from your desk every hour and briefly walk or check in with a colleague. Take breaks throughout the day to just decompress briefly every hour. Find Healthy Habits: Incorporate healthy lifestyle habits such as yoga, meditation, or journaling into your daily life. Ditch Perfectionism — Stop striving for perfection; instead, focus on completing tasks in the best way you can. Your completing the task is good enough. This does not mean giving it a C effort, but you should give it your best effort, and if you feel this way about it, then be proud of yourself.

Resist the temptation to head straight home after work. Instead, go out and have fun. You could grab a drink with a friend, or go see a movie at the cinema or visit family. After work, find activities that require you to move around. You could take a walk around your neighbourhood with a friend, enrol for a dance class, or just crank up the music at home and dance, or visit the gym. This activity will certainly lift your spirits and ease some tension in your body. Hobbies are a great way to unwind after work. Doing something you love is a way to ensure that you enjoy your time off work, so you must make out some time after work to rediscover your hobbies. You could also leave work at work, by turning off work-related notifications and putting your electronics somewhere out of sight. Your job doesn’t need to be all-consuming, it’s up to you to create the balance you need for your sanity.