Thoughts on Leisure and Work-Life Balance
Leisure. Work-Life balance.
When we hear these phrases, does that mean that to work, is to not live fully?
Let me make an observation here. We are blending physiological time with clock time. We tend to put extra stress on our mind and body because we separate events as good or bad, and we want to be somewhere rather than where we are now.
Clock time is exactly what it sounds like. It allows us to schedule, plan, and coordinate. Look at a clock, and it just ticks forward. We can physically, and tangibly see time moving forward.
Physiological time is our perception of the past, present, and future. We dwell on the past, get anxious and excited about the future, and rarely bring our whole self to this moment.
What tends to happen is that we merge our physiological concepts of time with clock time.
“I have to wake up on Monday at 5 am to go to work. I’m really not looking forward to it.”
“I can’t wait for work to be over so I can relax.”
We’re constantly blending the two — clock and physiological-and putting unnecessary attachment to them. Time- in regards to physiological time- is an illusion. This is because that no moment exists other than the present. There is quite literally, no other time. The past is a memory. The future, a thought. Now, is everything. Your mind and body are in direct contact to everything around you, right now.
What’s wrong with physiological time? There isn’t anything inherently wrong with thinking about the past and future. However, if it causes you harm, stress, and anxiety, then there is too much imbalance and not enough enjoyment of the present moment.
Of course, we are allowed to look forward to getting off work, the weekend, that next vacation. As long as we are willing to accept where we are right now. Time is all in the mind.
Leisure is an odd word in this sense. Along with the concept of work-life balance. We are creating separate categories of time, with the labels of good and bad, to help us gain more enjoyment out of one over the other. They give us the hope and expectation of looking forward to something, as if they are superior to other moments in our life.
- Use of free time for enjoyment.
- Oppurtunity afforded by free time to do something.
- Synonymous with free time, spare time, and time off.
- Be allowed.
Why do I lock myself into these categories of time?
Is all time not free? After all, I am experiencing it right now.
Am I not allowed time? I am breathing, and I am conscious right now. I believe so anyways.
Is there not oppurtunity in all moments of time depending on my perspective?
Why did we create a word to define a slot of moments where we are “free,” “spare,” and “off?”
This word leisure, and the concept of work/life balance just fuels the illusion of physiological time more.
I encourage the idea of moments. There is just this moment. And are you here, right now? Wether it’s at work, or at home, or with loved ones, or playing a sport, or anything. Are you physically and mentally here. This is key. We may physically be somewhere but most of the time, our minds are not. They are else where. Worried about something, stressing about someone, and not giving value, empathy, attention, love, and kindness.
Every moment, we must bring our whole selves. We must participate, and engage with the people and environment around us. Remaining curious throughout this entire process helps us pull out the deeper meaning in things and ourselves. There is no resistance. There is no, “This time is better than that time.” Going to work, to pay the bills, to work for Friday, and live it up on the weekend while dreading Monday is no routine in which happiness can be found. At the end of the day, it’s just another “day”. And tomorrow, Friday, Monday, well they are all just “days” too.
If you don’t like your current situation, change. Do not wait. Initiate something. You are only causing yourself extra stress, which creates an unhealthy body and spirit.
Make moments, don’t wait for them.
5 Minute Action
Write down 3 things that you can do to move yourself forward in a positive way (how you have defined positive). e.g.,:
- I accept where I am right now. This is where I am supposed to be, but to go where I want to I ned to change my habits. (Doesn’t sound like much, but just by bringing a dose of self-awareness to your situation, you create a catalyst for change.
- I will buy one book on a topic that I am deeply passionate about, and read it every day.
- I will reach out to three people who I hold in high regard, and I will try to offer them value in some way.
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