Balance

I started my new job back in January, and it feels like life has been a big blur since then.  Life changes are often a mix of good and bad things, and this move was no different.  The job itself is WONDERFUL.  I'm the Head of Reference at my new library (I was previously Head of Technical Services) and I think it's a much better fit for me.  While I've always enjoyed reference work I thought that being a reference librarian would be too much "people time" for me, being the introvert I am, but I'm actually only on desk 10-12 hours a week, with the rest of the time spent doing the behind-the-scenes things that I enjoy so much; it's a mix that works really well for me.  I supervise a GREAT staff and really enjoy my other coworkers as well, and professionally it's proven to be a nice step up for me -- in particular, supervising a pretty sizeable staff is an excellent learning experience for me.

But, yes, there's bad too -- and in this case, the bad is the reduction in my personal time.  My old job was 35 hours a week, and was only a 10-minute drive from home.  This one is 40 hours a week, plus it's a 30-40 minute commute each way.  I have to leave the house an hour earlier than I used to (more if I'm dropping Ian off on my way, though Jim usually takes care of morning dropoff) which, for a non-morning person like me, has taken some getting used to.  I don't get home a whole lot later than I did before -- maybe about 20 minutes -- but boy, the earlier mornings are taking their toll on me.  I've always been a night owl, but now, with these earlier mornings, I find myself falling asleep on the couch nearly every night.  And it's showing -- I should have read 18 books so far this year (to keep pace with my goal of a book a week); I've only managed nine.  And knitting?  Forget it.  (And, as you've noticed if you read my blog...blogging doesn't happen much, either.)

It's hard to not spend a lot of time thinking about how much more I used to get done -- both necessary housework-type things and leisure activities -- with those few hours each week that I've now lost to work.  I feel like my work-life balance is, currently, tipped more toward the "work" side than I really want it to be.  Still, though, it's only four months into the new gig, and so I know I will continue to adjust.  I hold out hope that I'll manage to get into a rhythm that works for me.  

At least now summer is upon us and the daylight hours are long -- it's been making it easier to wake up in the morning, if nothing else!  I've started working through lunch and then using my "lunch" break to take a walk instead -- we have a lovely trail loop right behind the library -- and that break in the day is doing me a world of good.  I'm trying to figure out how I can work running back into my schedule as well...but one thing at a time.  One thing at a time.  

Comments

[Kim]

You can do it. Proud of you. Happy for you.