Quiet hours
This will be brief as Rich and I have a date with DirecTV On Demand and the couch. But I finally figured something out today. I need alone time.
I know, DUH, right? But I can’t tell you the last time I’ve done something just by myself that wasn’t a quick trip to the grocery store. So this morning after we all went to Panera for breakfast, I drove over to the office to work on the development backlog. And yeah, I’m sure I’m not supposed to want to do that, but after spending a few hours accomplishing that and having some quiet time with no one asking questions or proposing meetings or demanding we go to the Choo Choo Room, I felt like a new person.
I was able to come home just in time for Ian to have gone to sleep so then Rich and I could spend a little time eating lunch and relaxing now that I was actually relaxed.
So now we’re going to watch cheesy TV and I might fall asleep on the sofa, but that’s fine. I’m feeling much more agreeable towards spending time with others after having recharged a bit on my own.
One of the first things I tell my students about is maintaining the work-life-self balance, and how the self is usually the first thing to go. Eventually neglecting yourself would end up manifesting in poor performance in other areas. (difficulties at home, bad flights, etc.) Good on you for taking time out for yourself.
This is one of the reasons I don't mind the 35 minute commute to work each day. By myself. I carpool some days, but I really treasure the days where I get to drive by myself and leave work at work. Glad you got your recharge time.