Work/Life balance..help!

[Chocolate&Coffee]

I'm a new grad working in the OR and I'm feeling frustrated and kind of "down in the dumps" since starting my job. I really like my job (although overwhelming at times), but the problem is this: I feel like my life is just work, home, eat, shower, sleep, repeat. I feel drained and exhausted at the end of the day and therefore go to bed fairly early every night (on average about 9pm).

So my question is this: How do you balance work and life? What is your daily routine on the days you work?

any suggestions would be appreciated

[Quilter0225]

I think what you are experiencing is pretty normal for a new grad, especially if you are working 12 hour shifts. On the days I work I get up early, commute 45 minutes, work, try to get out on time, commute 45 minutes to get home where I only feel like showering and going to bed. Usually I don't even eat dinner on the days I work 12 hours because by the time I get home I'm just not hungry anymore. I try not to work three 12's in a row, it's too exhausting. It takes me a while to catch up on my days off. Fortunately I have a very supportive husband and kids who are old enough to do a lot for themselves, so I am not expected to come home and take over the household on the days I work. I think as I get better at what I do, it will be easier. Right now the learning curve is steep and the job takes most of my energy. From other posters I gather that it does get better. I am trying to do things on my days off that I enjoy, like reading books and watching movies, sewing, etc. I don't have tons of time to do these things, but even just a little bit helps me feel better, more like a whole person instead of just a person doing a job. Hope this helps some to let you know you are not alone!:typing

[Jules A, MSN]

If you find a way please let me know. With two jobs I'm also just working, sleeping, walking the dogs and starting over again. Its not all bad because money is great and it keeps me off the streets.

[emilysmom,RN]

I know exactly what you are talking about. I started working four 8hr nite shifts a week which includes everyother weekend. I try to make sure I do something everyday. Sometimes it is only cleaning the house others it is going food shopping and on my weekends off I make sure we do some family activitiy like a movie or out to dinner.

It is very easy to fall into the work, sleep life especially if you work nites. I force myself to sleep while kids in school and get up when they get home and have dinner as a family and just watch TV together of play games together. I usually only get 4-6 hrs of sleep so I make sure I don't do 3 in a row. THere is no easy answer we all have to do what we have to do.

Good luck

[Quilter0225]

Wow, two jobs! No wonder all you think about is work! I should add that I think it's important to feed your spirituality, whatever that means to you personally. It helps me to see the big picture. Walking your dogs sounds like a good stress reliever!

[Galore]

I pretty much resign myself to not doing much on my time off during my 3 days in a row. I do the same thing usually, come home and unwind for a little bit, then sleep most of the day or maybe run a small errand. I'm lucky if I even walk my dog and I have a hard time getting good sleep during the day (I work nights). But I do lots of stuff on my days off and since I get 4 or 5 off in a row I can return to the 'normal world' and hang out with friends, boyfriend etc. I think when you work back to back 12 hour shifts it's just not feasible to do much else besides sleep.