did burn out once, about 9 years ago. But, I just realized that I am working about 10 hours a week more than I did then. So, why am I not burning out? And why don't I have fibromyalgia - like so many other 'work-a-holics' that I know personally. Although, I must admit that no one knows if overwork makes you more susceptible.
What is Different?
First, I am not in an office anymore. I work at home now. Which, of course, is why I need to work 10 more hours a week. My family does help. My husband cooks supper and does the laundry. But, I have been around for long enough to know that it takes more than that. After all, as most professional freelancers know, the number of hours worked does not necessarily measure the amount of work produced. I know writers who can write 40 polished articles. I also know writers who call themselves professionals but never write half that amount.
The fact that I have learned a lot of tricks that make my job easier could be one reason why I am not under as much stress.
My Opinion
I think there are two unusual reasons why I do not stress as much as I use to.
I have little dogs. They spend their day asking for attention, needing to go out, or sitting on my lap. I believe that this keeps my stress down.
I moved my computer to a window. I had my computer by an interior window, facing north, for two years and didn't notice a different. Last fall I moved my computer to a south window. I have the annoyance of the sun in my eyes for about 30 minutes, but I do notice a major difference in my moods.
I stopped listening to music. This one surprised me. I stopped listening to music, and listened to old time radio plays or pop a movie into the dvd player. This was the most surprising. Some days I listen to old time thrillers, so I do not believe that it is the content.
I use to stress, and be hungry for adult conversation. After I started listening to the old time shows at www.live365.com, I started to realize that I was calmer and more relaxed.
The transition took several weeks, but now I only need the radio on for an hour before I feel 'static' in my mind. It is hard to explain, but I feel like I have listened to someone complain for several hours - just droning on.
I let my children disturb me. I use to be proud of the fact that I taught my children to respect my work space and my work time. I even wrote articles on it.
Now, I let them play on my computer, and their 'play' computer is beside my work one. When my children come home from school I stop working to listen to their day. This made a big difference in my attitude and stress levels.
Last I take Sunday off. At first it drove me insane! I couldn't handle sitting around doing nothing all day. I haven't worked Sunday for almost 2 years now, and it almost has a 'Pavlov' effect on me. I wake up Sunday morning and almost 'melt' I am so relaxed and calm.
This doesn't mean I get to sleep in. I have to watch my son throw some 'hoops.' There are dogs to walk...and a puppy to socialize. My daughter and me need to curl up and read a good book. I have to play a video game with my husband and check out the garden. So, it is definitely not a day of rest :)
What do you do?
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