-Isms: Views on life in rural America

A day off. What’s that? Since starting this business venture, we haven’t been “out of the office” very often. Even when we aren’t there, it seems like one or both of us is constantly working on some project involving the paper, the print shop or the sidebar.

I don’t think either one of us will complain though. Our business continues to grow and we’re excited to see where we’re headed.

Yet, it’s a balancing (and sometimes, juggling) act.

A smart living piece in the New York Times recently caught my attention, maybe because it hit close to home. The premise of the piece focused on work-life balance and how to “disentangle who you are as a person from how you spend your days to make money ...”

I am the first to admit the newspaper publisher/journalist mentality does not end once I walk in the front door of home. Developing story ideas definitely is not a problem. Nope. Neither is writing. The problem is lack of time to develop every idea.

He may or may not admit it, but Scott is the same way, except his time is cluttered with farm details, honey-do lists and work checklists.

But, I can tell my brain needs some down time, a chance to kick back and relax and not let the weight of the world overshadow decisions and conversations. I can’t speak for my husband, but I think he would agree.

It’s a tricky balancing act.

According to Mental Health America, one in four Americans describe themselves as “super stressed.” Stress leads to a drop in productivity and initiates feelings of irritability.

So, how about taking a break?

If I’ve discovered one thing during this pandemic year, it’s this: it’s okay to take a day off. It’s okay to give yourself a break and let the tension, created by a constant go-go-go mentality, escape. You are your most precious commodity and need time dedicated to your own well-being, whether it’s a five-minute meditation exercise or an day-long break.

So that’s exactly what we did. Sure, I felt guilty a few weeks ago after spending an afternoon doing absolutely nothing. That’s so not me or my work ethic. Scott’s either. But after an exhausting week at the office and farm, coupled with unpleasant, dreary weather, we watched three hours of the Rose family antics on Schitt’s Creek and followed that with a two-hour mid-afternoon snooze.

Perfect day!

Creating work-life balance involves establishing a routine once you’re home, unplugging from online distractions and developing goals for home and work.

It’s achievable, even if a little rest and relaxation are not part of a person’s vocabulary. If you focus on the important elements of life, the rest will fall in place.