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How to Create a work life balance

30 Aug 2024

Many of us seem unable to slow things down and find a way to manage the stresses of the workplace. It often means that our home life can suffer so that we are not always in the best place to enjoy the quieter moments, when they come.

Putting some personal boundaries or ‘rules’ in place might help to even out the pressures we carry home when school’s out!

These are some of the daily habits I keep, to handle the overwhelm of my days at HMP.

 

  1. Know your triggers

I think of balance as a process.We have to know our tipping points.When we know these, we can figure if we are holding up ok, or need to review how we change our personal scale.Not everyone will get ‘triggered’ by the same things.

 

  1. Notice how you’re reacting moment- by-moment

I know it is not easy to step back when we ae in the midst of stuff, but try and create a daily habit of Noticing how you are doing.

 

If you know your triggers, you will know what has pushed you to one side of the see-saw.When you know where you ARE, you can respond with care, caution and conscious consideration.

 

  1. Take 5

We know the best time to work on any stress is as soon as it happens.Try not to let tension build up. If things are getting too much, just walk away for a moment to remove yourself from the situation and get a different perspective.

 

Take a breath, or if you are comfortable with Mindfulness or Meditation, take a longer period to visualise letting go of any negative and draining thoughts.

 

  1. Decide what’s important

Work-based tasks are usually non-negotiable but we also have a personal life. So why do we often fail to block out important time for family and relationships?

 

The solution is to get your calendar out. Schedule what matters to you so that you work towards a better balance of what feeds your heart and soul. Make home life your place of nurturing and salve.

 

  1. Start to unwind on the way home

I have a ritual for when I leave work (apart from leaving things in good order and making a list for the next day). I take off my work paraphernalia (ID and Key Belt). As I exit HMP, I leave any stress and strife behind and walk towards home with more ease.

 

As soon as I start the homeward journey, I make a habit of leaving ‘my stuff’ at work. I try not to let it dwell in my mind to bother me later.

 

I am strict about compartmentalising where thoughts are ok – or not. It does take practice, but the routine it worth the pay-off.

 

It is never too early to start to slough off whatever has been bothering you. You do not need to dwell on it, or share it with others (though that can help if it shifts things, rather than helps things bed in).

 

Can you create a simple Letting Go ritual to mark the process of moving from one space to the next? It might free your mind from ties to work.

 

  1. Wherever you are, be there

It will not help to be fretting about home when you are at work and vice versa.

When you are home – keep your space and time sacrosanct, unless you HAVE to do otherwise.

 

I used to envy Teachers working from home, but now I find it My Haven and when I close the door I physically Breathe Out and find myself unwinding. The door is my barrier to things that can wait.

 

Home is MY time. And I am precious with it to keep my balance. I do not feel I have to make excuses why this is how it is for me.

 

  1. Find your Nothing

I talked at Summer 2023 conference about Finding your Nothing. When we DO less we can BE more. So figure out what does it for you. Mine is a good book and Earl Grey Tea. Give me those and I can give myself over to a few hours of ease and contentment.

 

But the point of any article and books is just the nudge or a suggestion to do different.If you have identified that you find it hard to balance out your work and home life, try some ideas to see what suits.Nothing is of value unless it works in practice.

 

Finding a way to manage your thoughts is key and the best way to do that is to keep them in their place, and work through them as they arise. When we let things sit, rumble on and fester, we end up carrying upset from place to place, and that is not good for any of us.

 

Love and light,

 

Geraldine

 

 

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Are you looking for CPD Training in Exam Stress or Wellbeing, or need a speaker for your Conference of School event? My time in HMP Education may be just the perspective you’re looking for.

 

Want to work with me to bring Exam Resilience and Thought Leader Workshops to your School?

 

I’d love to keep posting monthly articles that you value reading. What topics interest you? What would you like to see on the Mindfulness and Wellbeing area of the NAEO site?Get in Touch.Drop me an email and let me know at  hello@geraldinejozefiak.com