Hello readers,
Today I’d like to ask you: When was the last time you finished a book you wanted to read? Or slept in just because you were able to?
The answer for many of us would probably be: “Ages ago”. It is clear that our many responsibilities sometimes restrict us from being able to engage in things we want to pursue. For some of us, these responsibilities might encompass being a good parent. As parents, we love our kids dearly and desire to ensure that they feel safe, loved and supported. However, this often comes at a cost of our own wellness and happiness. Many times, we feel that taking a break or carving out some time for ourselves seems impossible with the endless list of chores we need to attend to. So I’d like to share some tips and reminders on how to take better care of ourselves and our families.
1) Accept that imbalance is unavoidable
Work is tough and coming home to a list of chores after a long day is even tougher! There will be days when we just can’t keep up or times when long hours at work mean we may not always be there for our children. But, fretting and brooding over the fact that you can’t always be present when your family needs you isn’t going to help them or yourself. The first step (and admittedly a difficult one) is to acknowledge that sometimes we have to let either work or family take priority. Sometimes, focusing on one or the other first can actually help us perform better in both aspects of our lives!
2) Stop feeling guilty
Now that we have accepted that imbalance can and will happen, we need to stop feeling guilty about not being able to achieve that perfect balance. Never forget that everyone needs a break and that includes you too! This means actively creating the time and space for ourselves and our families. One way to do this is to set firm boundaries between work and family. This helps prevent work from seeping into your family time or vice versa, ensuring you remain fully engaged in either work or family life at any one time. For example, you can set simple rules together with your family such as no one is allowed to use their phones at the dinner table. Not only will this create time for you to hear more about your child’s day, but it will also help you to stop replying texts or calls from work during dinner. Another thing you can do is to minimize checking your emails while on vacation (at least while you are spending time with your family.)
3) Take care of yourself throughout the day
Lastly, don’t forget to love yourself just as much as you love your family! We are often surprised when we realise how much we have been suppressing our own needs and wants. Maybe you’d like to indulge in a cup of coffee while tutoring your child but it’s just too much of a hassle or maybe you simply need that power nap but there’s just too much to do! So readers today I challenge you to actively check in with yourself every time you do something for your child or your family and take note of what you need. Is there anything you can give yourself right now that would improve your well-being? There are small opportunities hidden in every moment to nurture yourself. Take advantage of these seemingly miniscule moments and you’re bound to see improvements in your own welfare and mental state.
I hope this short post acts as a reminder for all of you out there to take a step back and breathe. There are many chances today to enjoy life so go out there and experience it with your families! Should you need someone to talk to about work-family struggles or need some advice, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly mental health professionals today! Drop us an email at team@akindplace.co or WhatsApp us at +6587578049 to schedule a FREE 15 mins consultation today!
Our team specialise in various fields such as trauma counselling, hypnotherapy and grief counselling. We also offer corporate wellness programs for companies interested in boosting employees’ morale.
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