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Sometimes it feels like I work so much that I don't make any time for me, what can I do?

14 Answers
Last Updated: 11/16/2021 at 12:20pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Tracy-Kate Teleke, PsyD, M.A., LMFT

Marriage & Family Therapist

I assist adults and couples in CA experiencing relationship challenges and interpersonal struggles including anxiety, depression, and a myriad of other life challenges.

Top Rated Answers
thegirlintheredcoat
January 27th, 2015 6:30pm
You should plan ahead. Write down in a diary or on a calendar one or two things you want to do at the weekend, choose a day to do that thing(s) and look forward to your weekend! Also, try and take a few holidays now and then :)
ButterflySong
March 27th, 2015 2:13am
Set aside a certain amount of time every day to focus on YOU and relaxing. Watch a show, do yoga, walk your dog, even just sit outside with a cup of tea. Something that is NOT work, for at least half an hour. Make that goal and make sure you schedule time for it. It may help you feel recharged and less overwhelmed. Working every day straight can really take a toll on your wellbeing! You need to make time to recharge yourself - mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Anonymous
April 4th, 2015 7:18am
Well, its too important to spend some time with yourself. If its possible to reduce your work time and spend some time with yourself, then do it. But this may not be possible with everyone. In that case, try spending some time after your work or before. Early morning would be too good for this. Meditating for even 15 minutes makes you feel better. Its the matter of only a few minutes. You will feel that your day becomes bright.
starryRiver83
June 2nd, 2015 10:53pm
That can be a common problem. I always like to think about it like this. If you mean work as in a shift or career, you can't take personal things into work, so don't take your work things to your personal life. Once the shift is over, it is over and there is nothing you can do really until the next day. Try to manage it more effectively. Don't overload and say 'I'm going to get through 100 pages today so that it is done, if you know it isn't possible'. If it is revision or something you do need to do at home, remember that the days and weeks should be divided almost equally in terms of sleep, work and time to relax. Work for two hours, then take a break for half an hour/ 1 hour. Find the best time in the day for you to do your work. There is no point trying to start working at 7am in the morning, if you know you can't get into the work fully until 1-2pm in the afternoon, so don't force that. Take that time for you and begin your work when you are more likely to do it efficiently. I hope this helps.
charmingHeart
September 28th, 2015 12:20pm
try to love of whatever you do, So you do not feel any pressure. But you will feel enjoy and fun of any you do :)
Shikamaru42
December 22nd, 2015 12:54am
Make short breaks during work in which you concentrate solely on relaxing and stop thinking about what you were doing. Use power-napping to stay fresh if you like. Also, train yourself to acknowledge what you did do for yourself. Reflect on that at the end of the day. If you're a fan of making plans and filling out schedules, try the Activity Scheduling Exercise explained in Lesson 6 of the Depression Help Guide (https://www.7cups.com/depression-help-online/).
gentleDreamer72
December 29th, 2015 2:57pm
Practice self-care! Set a goal to take 20-30 minutes of time just for yourself every day. Do something you love--read a book, watch a movie, cook a delicious meal, take a walk, or do some yoga.
Anonymous
March 7th, 2016 11:44am
Well the awesome thing about this question is the fact you know the answer to it! Your ability to have a job means you have true logic so, logically when you are tired you rest. When you work to much, you? -Cheers-
Greatlistener87
- Expert in Work Stress
June 27th, 2016 2:22am
Its good if you can create a schedule for yourself and that u stick to that schedule. Make time for work and personal time.
LoveLoving
July 19th, 2016 6:50am
Analyse how I actually feel. My levels of stress and happiness and balance in life. Am I satisfied with the way things are? Could I make them better? *Make a schedule *TAKE BREAKS! It's very important *Get enough sleep *If possible, work less
Anonymous
October 25th, 2016 5:47am
When you start feeling that way, immediately take a few days off. I believe, if it is their in your mind, that means you need it.
MessengerOfPeace01
November 7th, 2016 12:30pm
It is very important to organize your time. When you organize your time properly then you would find the time you want
niamh333
May 2nd, 2017 7:04pm
Sometimes the first step to solving a problem is admitting it. By realising you work too much, you can start to track your work hours, and then work out ways to cut down. You can start in a small way, setting aside an hour, or an evening a week to engage in an activity you enjoy. Implementing a routine whereby you stop working at a certain time each day and then take time for self-care may help too. You can only be your best you if you put your own well being as a priority.
AvrilGraceofGale
November 16th, 2021 12:20pm
Sometimes responsibilities, goals and tasks to be accomplished fill our entire time, throwing us from one extreme to another. Either we try to be productive 24/7 and be in time for everything, then we do nothing, as we realize that we cannot do everything. And there is always not enough time for things that would make our life brighter and would allow us to breathe freely. Here are some tips to help you avoid drowning in an ocean of tasks and to make time for yourself and what you like. - are all the things in your to do list necessary? sometimes we are so passionate about creating and completing tasks from the to do list that we don’t think about whether we really need to do it. There are things that can be delegated, there are those that we do, because they imposed on us that this is important, necessary and cool. Just look at your to-do list and try to shorten it, leaving only what you need to achieve your goals; - set aside one day for rest. Yes, when you have dozens of tasks to complete, you think that you have no way to set aside a whole day for rest. But in fact, if you do not devote time to yourself and rest, you will run out of steam, and then you will definitely not be able to do your business. Therefore, choose the most convenient day for yourself and your schedule in the week, and declare it your day off, which you will spend the way you want; - start with one great event per week. Write down a list of things you want and can try. It can be “ride an electric scooter” or “sit in an anti-cafe”. And every week on your day off do one of these things (over time, you can group such tasks and complete such "Wishlist" all day); - look at ordinary things from a different angle. Try to find something interesting and bright in what seems uninteresting and boring to you. Use your experience and skills to do some tasks more creatively. But remember that not everything should be interesting and creative, some things should be ordinary and this is their beauty.