Labor Day signifies the last whispers of the Summer, where we officially put the past season behind us as we press forward into next season. Labor Day weekend is a fabulous time of relaxation, and once it ends, we know it only gets more busy from here on out! So, before the year gets away from us, let’s have a heart-to-heart about something that often gets overshadowed in our crazy busy lives: work-life balance.
We all know Labor Day is about celebrating our hard work and rewarding ourselves by taking a well-deserved break, but- when it ends and the work week resumes, it is easy to forget to relax. Insert the daily grind, the whirlwind of meetings, the deadlines, and the never-ending to-do lists. But I have a little secret: the essence of Labor Day—the simple idea of stepping back and savoring life away from work- it really doesn’t have to be confined to just one day a year. You can truly make any day feel like a holiday, and trust me, your soul will thank you for it!
How can we push ourselves to step away from the hustle, take a breather, and decompress more often during work weeks (or 'chore' weeks for stay-at-home-parents or spouses, don't worry, I got you!)
Master the Art of the Daily Pause
Imagine with me: it’s Tuesday, and you’re deep into a mountain of tasks. Those emails are multiplying, your to-do list seems to have developed a life of its own, and four someones are begging for your attention. Instead of plowing through without a break I am going to need you to take a beat, a pause... Carve out just a few moments for yourself and step away from the chaos.
"But how do I do that when there are so many competiting prioritieand so little time?" YOU have to make breaks a priority, that's how! Change your mindset, convince yourself that those breaks are even MORE important than anything else on your agenda. It might only be a 10 minute stretch with calming music, or a short walk around the block, or maybe a much needed lunch outing with a friend during a work break. These small pauses can transform your seemingly long, monotonous days into moments of pleasure that you actually can look forward to each week.
Beyond daily pauses, creating extended breaks in your spare time can be comforting and healing. So, when you get home or finish a workday, instead of diving straight into household chores or an endless string of errands, maybe play a board game with loved ones (laughter and friendly competition is good for us all and our hearts.) Perhaps for you the magic pill is a quiet bath, adorned with candles and soothing music. Regaldless, allow the stress of the day or the week to gently melt away. PS. This means to PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN, really, put it down!
Seizue the moment of enjoyment, savor the simple life!
Lastly, remmeber to celebrating small victories, I forget to do this often and today is a good day to remind ourselves that it is just as important to acknowledge small achievements as it is to reward big achievements. The treat can be as small as a special coffee from your favorite café, or something free like rewarding yourself with a few extra minutes curled up with a good book, and most importantly, do it guilt free!
Pencil something into your calendar everytime there is anything worthy of a celebration and literally assign your reward to it. Name your accomplishment and write how you will celebrate it. The bonus: I bet you notice positive improvements in your worklife you never expected. Please don't forget to email me and let me know how it turns out for you- I love happy endings!
Before I leave you today, let’s make a pact: Together we will make every day feel a little like Labor Day, we will from now on be intentional with filling our days with more appreciation, relaxation, and happiness.
Because life is way too short to save all the fun for one day a year.
Here’s to making every day a great one —because you deserve it!
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