October was a wildly busy month and November is shaping up into the same. The exhaustion I’m used to on Friday afternoon is occurring on Tuesday now. Time for a break.
While I’m off today putting a chunk of copy down on my National Novel Writing Month entry, I thought I’d share a new favorite video. Having worked in a corporate setting a few times, I related to this all too well. In fact, I’d bet a few of us have faced this with some clients.
How do you unwind? DO you unwind? When was the last time you took a day for yourself, huh?
yesterday was supposed to be a day off, but didn't work out that way. I've got too many deadlines to clear off right now, but it'll be worth it in the long run.
Sorry to hear it didn't work, Devon. It'll make that impending day off all the better, I hope.
My days off are usually imposed by a family member – like a recent trip I took because of a new grandbaby. Even there, though, I was squeezing in editing and copywriting work at the dining room table. Seldom, though, do I work an entire 8-hour day, so maybe it's a time management issue.
What WOULD I do with a whole day off that I chose? I'm not sure! That's kind of sad.
Mostly, though, I'm commenting because I love the video. I have worked in an ad agency – still freelance for them – and I know just the graphic designer to forward it to. Can't wait for his response.
I've had a few slow days between assignments (as predicted, the lull is over! I picked up two new assignments the other day). But knowing it would soon end, the other day I had a clean-a-thon.
Let me underscore the fact that I am not a clean freak. I love a clean house, but I hate the actual cleaning. But once I get in the zone, it becomes kind of therapeutic. It started when my dog accidentally broke a vintage stand lamp, and the glass shade shattered on the hardwood floor. I picked up the glass and vacuumed the best I could, but I almost always go barefoot, so I wanted to get all the tiny shards. I broke out the Murphy Oil Soap and washed all of the exposed wood in the living room and hall. (I'd intended just to do the high traffic area near where the glass broke, but I couldn't stop there.) Then the I did the kitchen and a bathroom. All on hands-and-knees. I had to stop when it was too dark to do the basement stairs. Later that night I saw some clumps of dust and dog hair that have collected at the bottom U sections of one of the radiators, and added "wash radiators" to my list.
In a weird way, tacking these deep cleaning things is kind of relaxing, because I'll know it's done and I won't have to worry about finding time to do those chores when I'm busy with work.
Yes, I'm pathetic. But boy do I have clean floors!
Sure enough! Here's the response from the graphic designer after he received "The Process" video: "LOL! I just went through this yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!"
Love that video. I did take a half day to myself the other day and went and got my hair done. It was driving me crazy.
It's like somebody put a camera in my office.
I have been told by my boss that I have 6.5 days of paid time off that I can use before the end of the year. The way things are going in the office, I may have still have all 6.5 days left on December 31.
Cheryl, THAT'S a nice way to force you into a day off. :)) Congrats on the grandbaby! Glad your designer friend liked the video. It's so true, isn't it?
Paula, you made me tired. :)) I get like that, too. Time off or time idle means I start cleaning. I don't know why, but I dive into the mess on the desk (and around it – I kid myself into thinking if it's on the floor and the desk is semi-visible, I'm neat).
Wendy, here I sit, hair to the middle of my back, feeling guilty for taking Thursday morning off. I have to get a cut. When a friend argued the color of my hair (I have some strange friends) and agreed with me, saying, "Yes, I guess so. I can tell from your roots" I knew it was time – maybe to get better friends, too. A little too passive-aggressive, eh?
Amie, take the time even if you have to rip yourself away with help. You'll feel so much better. 🙂