Dear Dorothy,
It is overwhelming with the duties I have as a working mother and wife. Sometimes I want to throw in the towel. I was considering leaving my career to become a full-time housewife and pay attention to raising my children and taking care of the home. But then again, I had always nursed the ambition of getting to the peak of my career ladder in the banking industry. These days, the stress from all ends is so unbearable. I noticed I have become very irritable. My children are withdrawing and my hubby noticed I have not been my usual self lately. At work, my boss has been complaining of underperformance. He said my output is below expectation and I have been acting absentmindedly. The thing is I have so much in my head and need an avenue to let it out and regain myself before I lose it completely. What would be your advice for me to maintain a work-life balance?
My Dear,
I feel your pain. Nothing good comes easy. At some point, we need to access ourselves and think of what is really important to us- is it a successful career or a successful home? The truth is that we can have both. It requires a level of balance and the ability to handle and manage stress. You need to set your priorities straight, be disciplined enough to make good use of your time. You don’t have to make your home front comfortable at the expense of your career, personal and spiritual lives. Understand what are your stressors and build resistance against them. For example, if traffic causes you to stress, you may want to consider a job that saves you from hectic traffic or you look for alternative routes or wake up earlier or move closer to where you work.
Don’t try to achieve work-life balance alone. Ask for support from your husband, children, and trusted family friends. Ask them to help with house chores and other areas that would reduce your house workloads. Also, be deliberate about your food intake. Don’t pursue your goals without taking care of your health. You are what you eat. Do well to eat healthy nutritious meals. Then, indulge in exercising to reduce your stress level and boost your wellbeing and mood. Lastly, after all said and done, never underestimate the power of resting. Some days for example- your weekends, don’t do anything, just stay back and rest all day. Your body will thank you. I hope this helps.
Yours truly,
Dorothy