I Wished July Away: Work and Prioritizing

I wished it away.  July is over, it’s August now and it’s my fault.

Back in June I realized I’d be working 28 of the 31 days in July and I couldn’t wait for it to be over.  I knew it was wrong but do you blame me?  It’s summer and July is prime sun-time but I was inside either an office, a school, or a gym the whole month!

The real world is no joke.  You have to work to pay for things.  Most work requires doing things you don’t want to do (for instance be inside in the summer or working 40 hours a week).

On top of that, 40 hours a week of work doesn’t leave one much time to do anything else besides eat and sleep.  You really have to try to prioritize/squeeze in everything you enjoy doing and everyone that you enjoy being with.  (I hereby apologize to everyone who felt neglected in the month of July).

It’s funny, just 17 months ago I was complaining about all the free time I had and now?  Now it seems that the karma Gods have struck down upon me.  Is there ever a happy medium?  How do you prioritize?

I’m lucky enough (I think that’s the right phrase) to be working three different jobs this summer.  Lucky because they are dispersed evenly, I get bored easily, and I enjoy doing many different things.

The tough thing is, I find it hard not to bring work home with me.  If it’s not physical papers then it’s mental work which can be worse.  And that’s multiplied by three, three different jobs.  So even when I have time in the evenings I find myself thinking about work.  Yikes.

I have, however, learned a few things about myself.  (Surprise, introspection is the motto of 20-somethings these days.)  I’ve learned that despite the stress and headaches 40 hour work-weeks bring, I enjoy organizing.

Who knew someone could get paid to keep someone else’s life/job in order?

If it took a crazy July to find (and keep) a type of job I like then I think I am okay with that.  Only time will tell. For now I’m working on prioritizing, leaving work at work, and enjoying the free moments I do have.

Any suggestions?  How do you leave work at work?

Danielle Clark

About Danielle Clark

I am 28 years old and for 5 years out of college I played basketball for a living. I was a professional basketball player in Europe so I spent most of my years there and came back to Maine for summers and a couple weeks at Christmas time. I thought my years there would open my eyes to what I want to be when I "grow up." That didn't happen. I have discovered, however, that I just have to try something. Just do things and toss myself into them. I have currently tossed myself into being a college basketball assistant coach and one on one reading tutor. I grew up in Corinna, Maine and have been a resident Mainer. I love sports, reading, writing, cooking, baking, watching movies... everything. I have lots of hobbies and not enough time in the day!