Keeping that work life balance

As a full time student I feel as though there is never enough hours in a day, and days in a week. With readings to do for every seminar, think about assignments, come up with a dissertation idea and work for that one dreaded day a week. Especially as we approach December deadlines, then before you know it we will be in May exam period. And for a workaholic like me it seems like the term 'full time' is exactly that, every thought and second is consumed by my work. Leading to sleepless nights, only creating a vicious circle.

However, the equation has only possible answer, a burn out. This has happened this week, not ideal, my head has been in a constant state of panic. Thinking that I cannot complete this work and why did I even think I could do in the first. So I decided to take a step back at look at where this could possibly be going wrong, and this is when I got the best perspective of my life.

Something else I really struggle with is socialising and this is something I am really putting an effort into. Okay this has really made me sound like a reclusive hermit now, but, at times I get so consumed in my world of working, stress and anxiety that the last thing I want to do is go out there in the big world and spend time with people. This does not mean that once I am there I have a terrible time, its just half the time that big step to actually meeting people that is the hardest, something that I really need to do more often.

It is so important, even crucial, to make sure that a work life balance exists. I know this but I find it so hard, which is half the reason that I decided to write this post. (Caution clichés ahead) You really do only get one chance at life, and, although I am an avid believer that if you work hard enough you must get somewhere, you really must live it to the fullest.

I love nothing more than curling up with a good book, and I don't do that half as much as I do. This could take only about half an hour out of my life per day. Even simple things like sitting there and drinking a coffee with no internet right in front of me is so theraputic. Walking my dog, leaving the house in any capacity, even listening to music, like live lounge covers on youtube, is amazing for almost cleansing my brain. I feel this is the missing component in my life.

If I can translate any message to you reading this it would be take time out of your day, everyday, anywhere between half an hour to five hours to find yourself. Find what you like, who you are, even what you don't like. This way you will get more out of your life and limit work related stress.

All my love,

Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Life Update: The Never Ending Dissertation ...

(Picture Credit)

As the final few weeks of my University life are drawing to a close I feel as though the vast majority of my time is spent staring at my dissertation which is displayed brightly on my Mac constantly attempting to ensure that it makes actually makes sense.

You utter the word 'dissertation' to any third year at this time of year, you are going to get one of two reactions. The sigh of relief as they have already handed theirs in or the look of pure dread.

With the best of intentions the magority of undergraduate dissertations are written in the last semester of the year over hot black coffee, oh the joys huh! And once it has all been written, proof read and printed you have to go and get it bound. The fun almost never ends. But, to graduate you do have to complete it (and complete the 100s of other assignments you have too do).

I made this post partially as an apolgy for the lack of posts but also to keep all of you updated on just how mundaine my life has begun, I cannot wait for the freedom that the end of May will bring. I will actually be able to spend my free time doing whatever I like and building up this blog further.

I hope you are all well and Spring may finally make an appearance soon as I can't stand looking at any more of this weather from the window in the library. Good luck to all my fellow third years and any other students out there, summer will be here before you know it!