What Do You Do With Your Time Off?
Lately the Internet seems to be infiltrated with folks who, for lack of a better word, seem to be workaholics. Not only do they work long hours - seven days a week - they advise others to do exactly the same thing if they want to be “successful.” (…and proud of it, too…)
The first thing that I would advise any young person who came to me for advice about their career (whether their career was in writing, or in some other field) would be to make sure that they take the time to take care of themselves. The human body and human psyche are just not designed for robotic, round-the-clock labor - even when you do enjoy what you do.
It’s difficult advice to get others (especially young people) to listen to. Why is that? Because the other way seems to work - at least, at first. When you are starting out, the “workaholic way” appears to be the way to success. Initially, it will appear that you are getting much more done and achieving much more when you overwork.
In the long run, however, overwork does not pay off. For one thing, most (dare I say, all) people cannot sustain this type of life month after month, year after year, without relying on some sort of artificial (usually unhealthy) stimulant. At the very least, overworking puts you on the fast track to burnout. At the worst, it will rob you of your health and ultimately your life. (I know, I’m old enough to have seen colleagues drop dead from heart attacks and other stress-related problems.)
The point to my rant is, whether you are a writer or a plumber, you should be making some time for yourself.
One of my goals with WritingThoughts was to build a community of writers. This isn’t just your standard writing advice blog. If you’ve been here a while, then you know that I make an effort to get to really know my readers - answering comments and visiting their blogs. With that in mind, I thought it would be fun if we shared what we do when we’re not writing.
I’ll start - I enjoy beach vacations, visiting historic homes and museums, photography, and reading. Most of all, however, I love to spend time with my family.
What about you?
Contents (c) Copyright 2008, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved
About the Author: I am a successful freelance writer with 20 years of copy writing experience. I am available for consulting, business writing, copy writing, editing, technical writing, and web content writing. In addition, I have written an ebook, 
WAHM Tara | Mar 11, 2008 | Reply
Hi Laura,
For some reason many people who work from home find out they become workaholics. It is easy to do, especially when you want to grow your business fast. I still find myself working to much often.
When I am not working I enjoy hanging out with my four children, scrapbooking and love photography.
Laura | Mar 11, 2008 | Reply
Hi WAHM Tara!
I think it’s easy for the line between work and personal time to get blurred when you work at home.
I know that when I worked in a corporation I often stayed late or took work home with me, but when I did so it was also very clear to me that I was going beyond the normal working hours.
At home it’s easy to just work all the time, sometimes without even realizing it.
Debra | Mar 11, 2008 | Reply
Hi Laura,
I’m a social worker by day, freelance writer by night. I agree that it’s hard to put up firm boundaries when you’re working at home. My day job ends when I get in my car to leave the office, but when I’m working from home, the work is always just sort of…there. I really have to tear myself away from it.
When I’m not working, I love to read, go to movies, and play with my completely spoiled cats. My favorite vacation spots are Las Vegas (if I’m in a frenetic mood) and Estes Park, Colorado (if I’m in a more relaxed, get-away-from-it-all mood).
The Word Wrangler | Mar 11, 2008 | Reply
I’m pretty much a sports nut, so I’m usually watching some kind of event when I’m not working. I also am getting back in touch with my teen aged self. I bought an electric guitar and am training myself to be a bedroom rocker. (Hey, I’m single so I got to rock the bedroom some way!)
Lori | Mar 12, 2008 | Reply
Absolutely agree, Laura. I’ve always hoarded my weekends for my family. Deadlines be damned - I figure the workload around a five-day week. Only once recently did I have to burn up two weekends because I’d had an overload of work, and I hated it.
I need to get outside, not remain stuck in this chair.
Laura | Mar 12, 2008 | Reply
Hi Debra, The Word Wrangler, and Lori!
I actually expected people to object to this post. It’s good to see that other writers have lives also.
Alina Popescu | Mar 12, 2008 | Reply
Hi Laura, you’ve picked a great topic, one that needs more debating in my opinion. I am close to turning 26 now and I have been working full time and studying at the same time for quite a few years now (about 5).
You could say I am the type of person used to be quite busy and have limited spare time. Yet I cherish every second of it
I don’t believe in working 7 days a week from dawn till dusk or vice-versa, a good 2 or 3 week vacation is always a great way to recharge your batteries, I make sure to carefully plan at lest one every year and a few other shorter getaways; and yes, too much work is not that good for anyone’s health.
Besides, I have this little theory of mine that after a while, you’re not that efficient anymore. A break is better than working at a 10% capacity
Laura | Mar 12, 2008 | Reply
Alina,
I think that your “theory” is absolutely right. If you don’t take a break you can find yourself working less and less efficiently.
(In fact, it can become a vicious cycle - “I have to work longer because I’m not getting as much done as I thought I would … )
In my experience, I’m at my most productive when I’ve rested.
Kelly@SHE-POWER | Mar 12, 2008 | Reply
Hi
I just found your blog and I love it already. Consider yourself bookmarked.
I’m a writer and mother to a pre-school age child and the biggest challenge I have found to relaxation has come through parenthood. Trying to raise a young child and keep your own work going and get some down time is a constant struggle.
When I do get to relax I like to take drives; take my son to the beach; go to the movies; read; and catch up with friends.
My great love other than my family and writing would have to be travel. I’ve backpacked through Europe, Thailand, Mexico and Central America and I am never happier than when I am riding on a derelict chicken bus with the wind in my hair, heading to parts unknown with no idea what the day will bring.
Zack | Mar 12, 2008 | Reply
Hi Laura, I just found you by way of StumbleUpon (erithbabalon). Thanks for posting your thoughts about this–they apply directly to my experience recently.
The “progress” you make overworking is an illusion that you can deny more easily when you are younger and/or less sensitive to your body’s natural needs. As you get older, the body definitely becomes more insistent that you pay attention and take time to play and recharge. I believe that young people who learn this early on will not only live longer, healthier lives, but also end up succeeding well beyond their peers who don’t figure it out till later, if ever.
I’m a major proponent of the required relaxation and playtime during every workday because I spent years as a workaholic and am still recovering
Great post!
(PS - Despite a looming deadline, I spent 3 hours in the garden today instead of working in front of my computer. Now I am SO ready to tackle that project!)
Martin Welch | Mar 12, 2008 | Reply
Always have time for yourself.. time to relax after the busy day from work. It’s important that we have to take care of ourselves also not just our work.
Thanks for the great post!;)
Laura | Mar 12, 2008 | Reply
Hi Kelly, Zack, and Martin,
Welcome to WritingThoughts! I’m glad that you enjoyed the post. It’s good to hear that other people value balance in their lives too.
Zack, thanks for letting me know how you got here. I hope that you all stick around.
Zack | Mar 12, 2008 | Reply
Hi Laura, no problem, in fact, I got it wrong! For the record, the stumbler who recommended you was KellyRigby over at
http://kellyrigby.stumbleupon.com/
I just wanted to make sure credit was given properly.
And thanks for stopping by my blog. I’ve subscribed to your blog and look forward to it!
Dana | Mar 12, 2008 | Reply
Hmm…when I’m not writing, I’d like to read. But that doesn’t happen much. So mostly I engage in tickle wars and pillow fights with the little munchkins who pounce on me every time I pick up a book. Or I read to them, but “If you give a mouse a cookie” is not generally my very first choice in reading material.
I’m so glad the weather is nice. I can take the kids outside and they can just play while I read…
Vivienne Quek | Mar 13, 2008 | Reply
“All work and no play make Jack/Jill a dull boy/girl”. For folks in the creative industry, our career will take a speedy dive if we lose the spirit of having fun and enjoying a great life. Life is about balancing; there’s left and right, top and bottom, black and white… … so there must be work and play.
Just last week, I marking “play time” on certain dates on my desktop calendar. That was fun. Trust me, Laura, I don’t want to be a dull vivienne.
Laura | Mar 13, 2008 | Reply
Hi Zack, Dana, and Vivienne!
Zack, welcome back! Thanks for correcting the record. I rarely have been able to trace a reader all the way back to a specific stumbler, LOL, - but I’m definitely glad to be able to do so.
Hi Dana! I love to read too. I think I even have that mouse and cookie book…
Hi Vivienne - you bring up an excellent point about the relationship between rest and creativity. I think it’s true, but I also think that a lot of people forget it.
Mrs. Micah | Mar 14, 2008 | Reply
I’ve been taking a 2-day “vacation” from both online and offline work (why am I commenting? I was Stumbling for fun before bed…found your blog).
2 romance novels and about half a handmade purse done. Much fun. Then it’s back to more serious reading and writing and other work. But I’m kind of enjoying my days.
The only thing is that I’ve always felt pressure to really enjoy vacation. I don’t like that. Because I want to be free not to enjoy myself.
Laura | Mar 15, 2008 | Reply
Hi Mrs. Micah!
I’m feeling more of the pressure of getting ready for a vacation. I’m sort afraid that I won’t get everything done.
Lillie Ammann | Mar 17, 2008 | Reply
I try to keep Sunday free to read and relax. My health limits my activities - I’m more apt to take a nap than to take a more active break, but I agree that getting away from work is important. I recently enjoyed a visit with my sister on the farm. Although I worked most of the time helping her organize her office and records, it was a wonderful break to get away from the office, the phone, and the Internet. And I really enjoyed spending time with my sister.
Rach (Heart of Rachel) | Mar 19, 2008 | Reply
I enjoy spending my free time with my family. We love watching movies together and eating out. I guess it won’t be a surprise that I also love spending lots of time on my computer.