How do I manage both?

"There's no such thing as work-life balance. There are work-life choices, and you make them, and they have consequences"

As you all have been going through a phase of balancing your job as well as festivals around the corner, you might have had this dilemma on how to manage both and it might feel tough balancing both. But guess what can help? Come on, not every time will I give an immediate answer,, you can at least try to guess once. 

So balance is the obvious answer but how to, is the follow up question. I mean, why do we even have to work during festive seasons, but our work culture is very different from the culture we are a part of and thus, we need to manage both. It is absolutely clear to us that we cannot change the system as of now, since we are employees but what we can do is try to find ways to give our best and at the same time not lose or feel out of place. It is only natural to feel unsteady at such times. Well, we can always find out our way out of it (and no, it does mean running away)

Here are certain ways you can actually feel more involved and get a sense of balance:

• Start to give priority to the work at hand rather than finding ways to delay the work

• Try not to take more work when already occupied, learn to say no

• Firm boundaries even while interacting with relative, not everyone should be prioritized

• Be selective with rituals you want to be a part of rather than unnecessary participation

• Learn that you may not be the helper always, sometimes you need a break

• Unfortunately, you cannot manage everything so learn to give others a chance to work. 

It sounds easier but it requires a clear headspace to make these decisions. You need to plan some time prior to understand what is helpful and what is not. And then you need to let go of a lot of things you consider important. It takes a lot of losing out on work to make memories but it is worth it, almost all the time.