Work and play.
Monday, February 21, 2011 at 11:16AM 
Fun fact about me: I´ve been working fulltime for the past 10 years. Yikes, I´m seriously old. I was so bored by my studies (German literature and history of arts) that I finished them within 4 years, which was the minimum, and started working right after my exams. I was 24. I had worked with a PR agency during my university years, as a student trainee, and when I graduated, they made me an offer. All things considered, I was very lucky.
Some of you know that for the past few years, I have struggled with my profession. I thought a lot about alternative career paths and even about going back to university. Still, here I am, working full time, for reasons which I will maybe share with you at some point. If I do, this will be a looong post. I have discussed this whole issue with friends & family over and over again, I feel I could write a book!
However, here I am. And in the past few months, I made an effort to improve my work routine by changing small things. I´m happy to report that this actually worked. So I thought I´d write my recommendations down here - maybe some of you will try them, too.
- Change the way you get to work.
Don´t just sit in a train and stare at people. I used to and it´s not a good start in the day. I´d love to cycle to the office, but unfortunately for me this is not an option (too far). So if you need to get on a train, take a book with you and nice music. I choose books only for my commute - short stories work great, but I have finished entire novels already! It needs to be something you really enjoy reading or else you won´t be reading it. Also, music. I discovered that this is actually the time to listen to new artists. I download new tunes on the weekend and enjoy them all week.
- Change the way you spend your lunch breaks.
I used to go to the canteen, gobble down the awful food within 20 minutes max, and that was that. That can´t be healthy, people. Now, I mostly bring my own food which is great in many ways. I get to eat what I want, it´s way tastier than the canteen stuff, we don´t throw away any leftovers, and it saves money. Also, I try to get out of the building once a day for a quick walk - even if it´s only for 10 minutes. It makes a great difference - I get to see daylight in winter!
Also, once a week, I try to do something fun in my breaks - have a manicure, visit a new shop, meet a friend. I look forward to this the whole week! - Personalize your office.
As much as my home needs to be pretty and "me", until now I haven´t put much effort into my office spaces. They were mostly terribly boring anyway, so why bother. But lately I got a plant for my desk and a nice business card storage thingy, and I even bought my own nice cup (which has disappeared by now, oh well). And while I´m still not one to bring framed pictures of my loved ones to the office, I do think it makes a difference to pretty up your office a bit, yes?
So, here you go. Three ways to make working full time more bearable. These might be no-brainers but for me, they made a real difference. So, you know, try them for yourself. Or, even better, just don´t work full time. Ha!
PS: I have no idea where the pic is from. It lived in my inspiration folder for quite some time now. And whoever gets to have a beautiful office like this - lucky you!
Reader Comments (5)
Nice advice! I also bring my own food and think it's really the best way to take time for myself!
I haven't personnalize my office for now, I take the idea!
Have a nice working week :)
Good for you! Work is drudgery for me too and I do a lot of this already. I have to be grateful for many things about my job tho...it's just 3km from my home, my hours are great, 9-4:30pm, I have a nice boss, I am under absolutely no pressure whatsoever and the minute I walk out the door in the evening I forget about it completely! It's not what I want to be doing by any means but all of these things I mention above make it much more bearable! My dream is to work 2-3 days a week but ultimately, I would love to just do what I like and not worry about money...hahaha..lottery win required!
Thank you ever so much for these lovely pieces of advice. I think this was what I needed to read somewhere: a witty blend of simplicity, happiness and optimism. Although I'm still a student, I've been working at the same time for quite a while now and even if I like my job, I've been struggling with the lack of time and energy and especially the lack of understanding coming from some of my senior students (I teach English to classes of Senior students in the evening/ and study at University to become a secondary school teacher).
I'm sorry I'm telling you all about my life and you probably don't want to hear about a complete stranger's life.
Anyway I was having a look at you carrot cake pic on flick and I ended up on this blog and I guess It has made my day! Not only the recipe!! But also the general congenial atmosphere of your blog.
Congrats!
Thank you all for your comments!
Martina, yes working part time is my ultimate goal, too - maybe in a few years?! Hopefully!
Annesophie, I love to learn more about my readers, so I´m absolutely interested in your life! And thank you for all the compliments, I´m glad you like my blog! :)
May you post a picture of the "nice business card storage thingy"?
I got one ordered by my team assistent and it is terrible ugly and not-handy-at-all!
Thanx anyway for your blog. I just found it.