It probably comes as no surprise that my stress levels have dropped dramatically since I left my corporate job. My time is my own, and the freelance work I’ve picked up has, so far, fitted comfortably around family life.
Which is why I couldn’t help feeling something of a fraud at the weekend, when I indulged in a spa day as a birthday treat. Surely this was an extravagance I hadn’t really earned?
Peering through the steam at the other guests, I imagined they were all recuperating from a hectic week of saving lives or negotiating multi-million pound deals. While I’d been, well, pottering about.
But the great thing about a spa is it allows you plenty of time for reflection. As I reclined on my gently warming lounger, my mind wandered back to the last time I’d been somewhere like this.
At that point, I was so burned out that my whole body was a ball of tension. I felt the knots slowly beginning to unravel in the soothing bubbles – only for them to return the next day when I crashed back to reality.
The thing is, when you feel like that, it’s too late. It’s going to take more than a jacuzzi to get your balance back.
You shouldn’t have to ‘earn’ time to yourself, or push yourself to breaking point before you stop and take a breath. I didn’t know anyone else’s story, and what did it matter anyway? I had just as much right to be there as they did.
Besides, I told myself, it’s not as if you’ve spent the week doing nothing. It may have been light on paid work, but there were plenty of things I had achieved:
- made new connections, and touched base with existing ones
- invested time and effort in applying for new opportunities
- received an offer of upcoming work
- explored the wealth of learning resources from the professional organisations I’ve joined (Institute of Translation and Interpreting, and ProCopywriters)
- kept everyone fed, stayed on top of school admin, done various drop-offs and pick-ups and hosted a playdate for my youngest – a small thing, but one I always struggled to find time or energy for in my ‘old life’
- turned a year older!
The truth is, I’m still adjusting to being my own boss. I have to keep reminding myself that a big part of making this change was about easing the pressure and improving my wellbeing – and I need to make sure I do that. There will be busier spells, but in the meantime, it’s ok to enjoy my downtime.
We all need time out to relax and recharge. It needn’t be a pricey spa day – it might be a bath bomb and a homemade face mask while the kids are at school. But whatever your definition of ‘me-time’, you do deserve it. You’ve achieved more than you think.
So tomorrow, I’m meeting friends for coffee in the middle of the morning. And I’m working really hard on not feeling guilty about it!
Kate Mounce 