How to step away from work
By: Emanuel Hristov
Tags: Lifestyle, Planning, Personal Development, Work Life Balance, Mental Health

How to step away from work

It was 2018 when I graduated from university, not a long time ago. Since then I’ve been part of the movement of personal growth and 24 hour focus on your career. However, did anyone tell me when is the right time to switch off from this routine? NO.

A year ago, spring time, about 1000m above ground, in a tiny cute village in the North of Italy, I was ‘vacationing’. Nothing did I know that it will be these few days when I will realise I’ve been trapped in my career routine.

Eureka moment

After two weeks holiday I have returned to London but my perspective have changed. I have spent the next 3 months researching and reading dozen of books and articles on daily habits, healthy lifestyle, mental health and sleep. Not only that, but I’ve reached out to friends and colleagues to understand this deeper. It was a problem mostly everyone has or was facing but nobody liked sharing at the time.

In the summer of 2019 I decided it’s time for me to implement what I’ve learned and keep a close eye on any impact. It felt like stepping out of my comfort zone, but there I was making changes.

First, I asked myself everyday whether I’m doing certain things because they help me advance in my career or because I need to do something, so it feels like I’m making progress. This is a hole everyone can be trapped but especially people that love the personal development and have a desire to learn every minute of every day. Additionally, I’ve asked myself if I’m using work to avoid something and why am I doing it?

Mapping what’s really important and what I thought was helping me, I was able to let go of activities that take up to 2 hours of my day, EVERYDAY. I knew I was up to something but it was just the start. Now I had to decide what I am going to do with these 2 hours.

Changes

Instead of taking a sabbatical somewhere without signal, I learned to be mindful and aware when I’m working. I’ve started making changes and that’s important. With A/B testing in mind and trying a variety of routines, activities and times of the day, I’m still studying what’s best for me at this particular stage of my life.

Enough of this. Let me share what worked and what didn’t for me.

Set boundaries

This will not be easy at the start but try to separate work from life. You need clear rules and you have to live by them. This doesn’t mean ‘enough personal development’ but rather for you to create a schedule of when you do this. It doesn’t mean you can’t discuss ideas outside the workspace but it does mean to leave the stress and your long to-do list behind.

Use your free time to be with your loved ones and spend time cherishing your relationships with the people around you, not the tasks ahead of you.

Set clear office hours and stick to them.

Yes, this will change on occasions and you’ll have to stay late at work. But apart from this one time, you have successfully done what’s best for yourself.

Reflect

Perfection. This is what everyone is after and can’t stop striving towards. However, when chasing it we often forget to stop and look back, appreciate how far we’ve come. In a fast-pace world, where you have to be on top of your ‘A’ game, we are busy planning our next move, thinking what’s ahead and how to tackle each problems. However, what we don’t realise is that we don’t have time to observe reality, what we have created, what surrounds us.

Stop. Look how far you’ve come after all the effort you have ever made. Now look ahead and how much more you can do in the future.

Acknowledge your effort. — Kristin Armstrong

Simple day

Flow. We are doing things unconsciously and we need to PAUSE.

Not everything in life has to be done with a higher purpose. If it makes you happy - enjoy it.

I have implemented days of the month, usually Sundays, fortnightly where I pointlessly enjoy a my hobbies. Whether it’s hiking on a rainy day, reading what I love, going to a gig or gallery, I don’t plan it to the end. Rather just get on it, see where it leads me and appreciating it.

Have a simple time in a complicated world.

‘Busy’ as a badge of honour

When did ‘busy’ become a symbol of pride rather than an issue that needs solving. Humans are not machines, we wear off unevenly. I have been part of the movement, a group who thinks they are successful if busier than the rest.

Just stop using the word, it’s addictive. Focus on your free time and the positive energy that can bring you.