Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Feeling Conflicted- How Do You Balance Work?



Sorry about the crickets around here... I am currently on day #6 in a row at work and honestly have been too exhausted to even think about blogging when I get home. 

Today I wanted to bring up something I am currently struggling with and I'm sure I am not the only one and that is balancing work and personal life. Like I said, I am currently on day 6 in a row and thankfully have off Thursday and Friday but back to work Saturday and Sunday. In my profession as a Child Life Specialist it is extremely hard to get out of work on time, we are constantly getting new admissions, new diagnosis, and new procedures have arisen. With all of this going on, there is always something to do and help with, however when its my 5th day of being there reaching my 10th hour... am I really even that good to a patient or family in need? I work around 50-60 hours a week, the real bummer is that I am salary and not hourly, aka any hour over 40 is unpaid. With working such long hours during the week and many times having to turn around and be there on weekends, I feel like I am letting life pass me by. The obvious answer would be to cut back at work and maybe that is the right answer, however I feel conflicted that what I'm doing at work actually makes a difference. By cutting back my hours and not being as present on the floor, the units I cover and more importantly the patients and families I serve would be left with no supportive services. Is it best to work your butt off, suck it up, and do your job or is it best to focus on myself and let everything else fall in place? I may never know the answer but for now I am just concentrated on making it to the end of this day and relaxing for a couple days.



How do you balance work and personal life?

Yours truly,
Emily

3 comments:

Ally Harding said...

Is your job supposed to be a Mon-Fri? So are you working over 40 hours by choice or do you have to? I kind of know what you're going through. With my job I could pick up extra shifts throughout the week but I work night shift so you lose the night you work and the next day to sleep and to me spending quality time with my husband and dog matter more. It sounds like you love your job but you're going to get burned out and start to not enjoy as it as much. That's just my 2 cents!

Tess said...

Ahhhh, what a question.

When you are working the type of hours that you have and the type of job you have - I truly cannot answer how to do it. I think you have to just try and keep your head above water and understand that this is just a season of your life. Home may take a little beating, but it's not forever.

Keep me posted if you find some time-saving tricks!

Rebecca said...

You HAVE to leave work at work. HAVE to!! Listen to me when I say that you CAN NOT take care of your patients and families if you aren't taking care of yourself!! I promise you you'll burn out. You are only one person. They'll never hire you more help of you keep doing the work of three people. :-)