Enjoy Yourself

I work a pretty demanding job in terms of my time. I have no set hours, but am expected to be on call basically 24/7, even on "vacation". The internet is great, but it means that people can bother you all hours of the day (and night).

When I first started in this field, I ran myself ragged. I'd stay up for more than 24-30 hours at a time with concerning frequency. I was so focused on doing well at my job that I lost sight of my own health and priorities. I was miserable, and a lot of it was my fault.

This is not to say that, if you are miserable, it is absolutely your fault. There are always internal and external factors at play. The ratio varies wildly by person. This is focused on helping the internal factors.

Pictured: Some cool lawyer looking people who probably work too much.

I am still in this field - albeit in a different practice area - with similar demands on my time. However, after taking inventory, I was able to come to certain realizations that have helped me take a step back. I actually enjoy what I do now, even with the unpredictability.

Unfortunately, I witness others who are stuck in the same bad habits I was in. I see people being just as burnt out, stressed, and miserable as I remember. It's hard to watch. If this sounds like you, hopefully this can help.

1. There will always be more work

There are physical limits in how quickly work can be done. Contrary to popular belief, once you get to a certain point, you cannot just throw money at things to make them happen quicker. Heck, one of the fun parts of my job is communicating this to clients that are used to getting their way.

Pictured: Not a time machine.

But there is no limit in the other direction. If you have a bunch of extra time near the end of a project, I guarantee others will find things to do in the meantime. Eventually, it's just pushing metaphorical peas around the plate. But if you have an evening where you aren't particularly pressed, there will nevertheless always be something you can do. If you make a habit of this, it's a quick way of losing any chance at rest you have. Demanding vocations/activities will consume you if you let them. Don't let them.

2. It's okay to say no

When transitioning to the workforce (no matter where you are transitioning from), most guidance counselors/mentors/parents/etc. will recommend that you try to be as helpful as possible and to never say "no" to your boss. It's easy to internalize this because bosses love this. Once you are known as the "dependable" one, it just snowballs. Next thing you know, you're coming off of 80/90/90+ hour week(s), in sore need of rest when someone else asks you to hop on a new urgent project ASAP.

Fight the urge to comply. Say you simply can't. Don't ask to be let off. Tell them you simply cannot continue. And don't fold, no matter how much they yell.

As much as this goes against your programming, you need the rest. And things will probably be fine at work. Good bosses will understand. Bad ones respect people having a backbone.

3. Disconnect

Unwinding before bed is almost as important as actually sleeping. It's an integral part of the day. But if you're up and you see an email, it's tempting to throw your relaxed momentum out the window and to be helpful.

Once you get to a certain hour of the night (I typically say 11, but your mileage may vary depending on your commitments), it is perfectly reasonable for you to be asleep. And no one has any reason to think differently. So just... don't respond. Take the evening. It's okay to get to that email in the morning. Enjoy!

If something is that important, people will find a way to get to you.

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It is not selfish to take care of yourself. It is not bad to prioritize your own happiness. It is not evil to enjoy life. If anyone tells you otherwise, get out of there as soon as you can.