5-9 After a 9-5
I split my days into chunks.
The morning chunk, usually consisting of coffees and morning gossip, lasts an unusually long 4 and a half hours. The second chunk of the day, consists of my mid-afternoon push thanks to an energy filled lunch and much needed break. And lastly, the after-hours chunk, or the “cool down”, a.k.a. my favourite time of day. Time during the morning and afternoon chunks usually elapse at the pace of molasses, while the evening chunk comes and goes in the blink of an eye. It’s hard squeezing in everything you want to do in just a few short hours of the evening.
This past school year was the most exhausting physically and mentally. Most of my days were spent on campus from the early hours of the morning, until later hours of the evening. Can I blame my exhaustion on my lack of organization (because I’m usually organized) or lack of preparation? It was a struggle keeping up with myself (not the Kardashians) and balancing school at the same time. I’d come home from school after an outrageous trek through downtown traffic, toss my backpack on the ground and lay down for all of 20 minutes. All of that must happen before I start unpacking my bag, my lunch, and organize schoolwork, just to go back to sitting at my desk and start cracking away at the work I need to finish.
Thinking I would have a routine down pat after a trial and error first semester, I felt prepared to conquer a tricky second semester.
To my naive surprise, the second semester was the root of my demise, my downfall as a student and being. School consumed me, every minute of the three chunks of my day, filled with school, doing work, typing papers, and coming up with creative ideas. I could not escape the loop I was in, and it was quickly picking away at me. I became isolated, just me and my schoolwork, for all hours of the day. My second home was the classroom, and lunch breaks became time to do more schoolwork while nibbling on a few veggies and dip.
I’m not sure where I felt short, in the organizing, planning, or self-discipline department. The people I saw the most were little, tiny bodies playing characters on background shows while I worked. I didn’t have self-discipline to tell myself it’s OKAY to take breaks from school and to focus on yourself. It felt wrong.
But alas, I made it, and now that it's summer time, I can reflect on what worked really well for me, and what didn't turn out the way I expected. Time to prepare for my reoccurring 5-9 after my 9-5. Chunking up my day is still the way to go as it blends together much less.
Weekends are a great time to prep for the upcoming week. If you’re worried that random objects and things have accumulated from the previous work week, this is a great time to tidy and freshen up your space, so you don’t have to do it during the evening chunks of your week.
Structure and routine are common in the day to day 9-5, leaving the 5-9 an unorganized chaotic mess of panic, preparation, and last-minute errands.
Why is that?
Consistency is key, and finding comfort in small things makes the panic filled, unrelaxed evening shift more enjoyable. Here are six ways we can put calm and tranquility back into our lives (via MindTools):
1. Take the time to unwind: Use a relaxation technique like deep breathing or meditation.
2. Make your home a haven: A peaceful, comfortable space will help you relax more easily.
3. De-stress your dinners: Meal prep is a great way to plan meals ahead of time so you can enjoy them.
4. Get a hobby: Take your mind off work by immersing yourself in an activity that brings you pleasure.
5. Treat yourself: Engage your senses and indulge in various activities or music.
6. Take up a sport: Exercise is the best way to help clear the mind.
Small rewards throughout the day also give you something to look forward to. Have a coffee machine in your office? Maybe plan your day around treating yourself to a nice cappuccino. Go on a small walk around your building to feel the fresh air on your skin. Bring yourself a sweet treat, and set a time for when you can eat it. This will give you something to look forward to. At least that's what I do.
Whether you do all six tips, or just one, there's going to be one thing that you can do to make your evenings more enjoyable after a long hard day. As I'm coming up on the end of my summer term job, and the beginning of a new school year, I aim to make myself the best version of myself I can be. Get ahead of my organization, plan my days, weeks, and months, and most importantly, remember that it's ok to take time for myself throughout the week.