Work vs. Real Life

[img_assist|nid=55|title=Work vs. Real Life|desc=|link=none|align=center|width=174|height=200] When I first began researching stress and time management I simplistically saw my life as slotted into two major compartments - my professional life and my personal life. Much time has passed, but I still believe in the compartmentalization idea; however, years of experience have taught me that it's not my actual profession alone that will burn me out and result in harmful symptoms, as I had original thought. It is in fact a preoccupation with work, whether on the job or at home, from which I need to protect myself. It became clear to me that far too many 'work hard' messages had been passed down from generation to generation in my family. The 'Rosin' addiction to work was at the root of the burnout, and not the job or the profession itself. I have always believed that it's not what you stop doing that is most important, but rather what you start doing. So, if I am to remain true to my own beliefs, then it's not the cutting down on work that will be most helpful to your health, but rather focusing on the components of a healthy life - a Real Life.Eventually, I realized that in my original compartmentalization idea, the concept of a 'personal life' was inadequate. Real life implies that one's 'personal life' is more important than their 'professional life', and more quality time and energy should be invested in the personal side of one's life. I am convinced that a commitment to a real life (personal) is a must for individuals to be physically and psychologically healthy. In your life, you need to work but you also need balance - a real life. People and activities in your real life ought to be the priority.

If it is true that everyone comes from a dysfunctional family, then you are just 'normally' screwed up and not 'specially' screwed up.