Remembering to Clock Out

The typical corporate work day consists of a very similar schedule: clocking in at 8 am, writing emails, attending meetings, clocking out for lunch, eating lunch while at a meeting or at your desk (or sometimes at your leisure--if you're lucky!), clocking back in after lunch, checking and replying to emails, attending status meetings, working on projects, and finally clocking out at 5pm to go home.  Now, I know that not everyone is working in a corporate situation, nor am I currently, but the fact that these workers 'clock in' and 'clock out' every day is something that has given me some food for thought.  What if we non-corporate workers had a time card system too?

Now, for those of us who are not working in the corporate world, this notion of 'clocking out' is not so clear cut.  There is no cut off time from 'work'.  (Obviously some corporate people never 'clock out' either.. instead they *choose* to take their work home with them--and maybe not always consciously!)  And this is what drives me to write today--consciously remembering to clock out.

Clocking out is a practice that has been in use for a very long time.  I know you were probably aware of what it means, but it is key to remember the ultimate purpose of this notion--to move on or away from something.

Recently, I had been neglecting my time card.  I had been forgetting to clock out from work.  I was constantly queued into the large class load that I needed to take, the homework that came as a result, job searching (like a maniac, I should say!), chores needing to be done, personal care, health/fitness, as well as basic needs such as sleeping and eating.  My life had become like a machine, and I was quickly becoming miserable.  My anxiety sky-rocketed, I wasn't sleeping as well, I started to feel sick, I became crabby and impatient, and I even didn't say hi or smile as often.  I let the stress of all of my jobs take over, and I was constantly clocked in.

Now, I'm not trying to complain about all of the work that I've currently been involved in.  Anyone with common sense would know that the last semester of your senior year of college would be quite cumbersome (and exhausting!!).  I'm not trying to gain anyone's pity, or have anyone feel sorry for me.  All I am doing, is checking in with myself.  I was not happy with how my life was going, and I knew something needed to change--this is the result!  Naturally, when I come to such conclusions, I feel the overwhelming sensation to share, and now here you are!  Honestly though, even if I knew no one read my blog, I would still do this because it is so crucial for me to 'check in' with myself.  It's kind of like facing your scale every week--you don't really want to see the number, but you know you've got to do it anyway to keep yourself accountable and healthy!  And, it is, of course, much easier to make a five-pound adjustment than a ten or twenty pound adjustment! This goes for your emotional health too! If you consume to many negative 'calories', pretty soon your body and mind is loaded with negativity! Of course, if you add in stress, the problem balloons, and pretty soon everything seems hard--even getting out of bed in the morning.

So, what is a solution you ask?  Good question! Now, I know it's going to take some time to make the adjustments necessary to do this in my schedule, but my plan is to schedule a time every day where I 'clock out', and am done working for the day.  Since I do not work the typical hours, it is very easy to let time fluctuate, and I know that I *could* always be doing something "productive".  The thing is that productivity is limited to the amount of drive you have, and let's face it, by a certain point in the day, most people have lost that drive.  I think it's better to recognize it than to fight it!  Go ahead, and give in!  Clock out.  Instead of taking sporadic, low-quality breaks (such as checking facebook for twenty minutes), go ahead and schedule a point in the day where you can clock out and focus completely on yourself for at least 30 minutes.  Then, fill that time with meditation, exercise, or even your favorite activity.  Lately my hour run has not given me enough time to 'unwind', so I am going to incorporate a cut off point for my homework, and then spend time either blogging, writing in my diary, starting the food/gratitude journal that I've always wanted to start, working on scrapbooks, or whatever!  I haven't had enough time to be creative lately because I've been so focused on just survival--and it's high time I let the art back into my life.  So, yes, this is why I have not been blogging as often recently!  (Please forgive me!)

So, with all things considered, I hope that my 'check in' has at least provided you with some food for thought. If you're having a tough time with anything, feel free to check in here too.  I want this to be a community where  people feel free to share what's been going on in their lives--without any fear of judgement!!  So, if you decide to try 'clocking out', go ahead and comment below saying what you did for a quality break!  Or, even if you are just having a tough day/week, comment below!  Believe me, you might just be surprised at how much better you can truly feel once you let someone in.  Anyway, I know that this post has been a massive read, but it was very overdue, and much needed.  Thank you for letting me be me <3

PS~I am clocking out! xoxo