How do you handle work/life balance?

[preppy]

I started a new job in November that is really different from my previous job. Previously I worked as a pharma rep and it was mindless, easy, and had very flexible hours. I was bored out of my mind, but went to work at 9 and was usually home by 2 and had plenty of time to go to the gym, keep up the house, walk the dog, spend time with my H, etc.

My new job I love, it is challenging and fast pace which was really lacking in my old job. I love the company and the atmosphere. However, I am working so many hours and am struggling to find a balance. I am working about 10 hours a day plus my commute, and don't really get any breaks or lunch, and am constantly on the go. The problem is that I feel like things are slipping through the cracks at home. I am completely exhausted when I get home and go to bed so early, I haven't gone to the gym in a month and used to go 4x a week, laundry is piling up, I don't feel like I get much time with my H or dog. I am feeling overwhelmed. My H helps as much as he can and has really been trying to pick up the slack, but he travels a lot for work and can't do it all either.

How do I get balance back? Will I ever get used to this new chaotic work schedule? Any advice is welcomed!

[fuddyduddy]

You might need to outsource some things. Can you afford to hire someone to clean the house, walk the dog, etc.?

[preppy]

We do have a dog walker that comes during the workday, but I think you might be right about hiring someone to clean. It is a really good idea. Do cleaning ladies do laundry? I would think I would want someone to clean the bathrooms, kitchen, and do the laundry maybe once a week. Is it weird to have someone do laundry? And where would I start in the process of looking for someone?

Now if only I could afford someone to make me healthy dinners every night...

[fuddyduddy]

My family had a housekeeper when I was a kid. She came every week or two and cleaned the entire house, made the beds, and did the laundry. I would ask people you know in the area for cleaning lady recommendations (maybe someone on here can help) or check Angie's List for reviews.

You can have your groceries delivered!

[preppy]

Jan 30, 2013 20:40:00 GMT -5 fuddyduddy said:

My family had a housekeeper when I was a kid. She came every week or two and cleaned the entire house, made the beds, and did the laundry. I would ask people you know in the area for cleaning lady recommendations (maybe someone on here can help) or check Angie's List for reviews.

You can have your groceries delivered!

Maybe I live under a rock but can I get groceries delivered even if I don't live downtown? Cause that would be awesome. 

This is so helpful. I am just going to outsource everything, lol. 

[fuddyduddy]

LOL. I'm glad I could help!

You can see if Peapod delivers to your area. I don't know any other local grocery delivery services.

[preppy]

Jan 30, 2013 20:48:56 GMT -5 fuddyduddy said:

LOL. I'm glad I could help!

You can see if Peapod delivers to your area. I don't know any other local grocery delivery services.

I will look into it. Thank you! 

[fuddyduddy]

Jan 30, 2013 20:54:19 GMT -5 preppy said:

Jan 30, 2013 20:48:56 GMT -5 fuddyduddy said:

LOL. I'm glad I could help!

You can see if Peapod delivers to your area. I don't know any other local grocery delivery services.

I will look into it. Thank you! 

You're welcome.


Good luck with balancing everything! I feel like I am trying to juggle a few too many things at the moment, so I can relate to feeling overwhelmed. 

[preppy]

Jan 30, 2013 20:57:10 GMT -5 fuddyduddy said:

Jan 30, 2013 20:54:19 GMT -5 preppy said:

I will look into it. Thank you! 

You're welcome.


Good luck with balancing everything! I feel like I am trying to juggle a few too many things at the moment, so I can relate to feeling overwhelmed. 

Thank you. I am just really not used to a full work schedule. I had the pharma job right out of school, then spent about 4 months after I quit staying at home before I started this job. I think that given some time and some better tools I will figure it out, but the transition is overwhelming and exhausting. For example it is 9pm and I am going to bed, lol. 

[bostonmichelle]

I agree outsource what you can and what you can't ask your DH to help you. I am a CPA and do taxes, so right now I average 4 12 hour days and 2 8-10 hour days, so work/life balance is crucial to my sanity. I started getting up a bit earlier so I have a half hour every morning to get something done around the house, like unloading the dishwasher, doing dishes from prior night's dinner, paying bills, etc. My DH does the same in the afternoons when he gets out of work, a half hour of cleaning, laundry, putting trash out, etc.

[countthestars]

We struggle with balance as well. We really haven't figured it out - its been over five years of crazy work hours for me. I don't have any advice (came in here looking for answers too!) but can commiserate.

[hw77]

Agree with what everyone has said here. I like the approach of getting something done each night as I dont want it to be Saturday morning and have an entire list of things to do. So we throw in a load of laundry every few days. We might dust/swiffer/vacuum one night, clean bathrooms another night etc (we just have a 2bd apt). What I dont want to do is be stuck doing hours of housework/errands on a Saturday I want the option to enjoy the weekend with my husband. Meals are definitely where we struggle too. If we've just dont a big grocery trip we are fine, but of course its when it gets down to the end and we're pairing random things from the cabinet and freezer to make a meal, as long as I have a protein and veggie for dinner I dont care if it makes sense together or not... its food and every night cant be a nice meal. Some people have better luck scheduling everything out... put the gym on your calendar, put time to clean/chores and time with your husband. In my mind I'd rather have a chaotic Mon-Thursday night and be able to relax more Fri-Sun

[hellzkitten]

I work a 9-5 (MH is about 9-5:30)... so when I get home at night, I try to start dinner & get something done around the house - whether that be a load or 2 of laundry (I'll fold the next night), sweeping the floor, cleaning up the kitchen, or straighening out the toy room. Everything doesn't get done all the time & sometimes I order delivery so I can get more done, but it's how things get done right now. We don't spend hours on a weekend doing a deep clean - maybe every other month we try, but I've accepted that it doesn't happen. With regards to grocery shopping, I clip coupons from the Globe on Sunday a.m. while the lil guy plays & watches cartoons & then I'll leave him with MH & go to the grocery store while he takes his Sunday morning nap.

[preppy]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I really appreciate it, and its good to know I am not the only one that struggles with this. I think learning to let go of perfection is something that really resonated since I put a lot of pressure on myself to be the best employee, the best wife, have a perfect house etc.

I am hoping that I can lead where to give and take as I go along! Thank you again for all the responses!

[rosebud]

I know its old news, but check out Rachael Ray's show on Cooking Channel "Week in a Day". I found that I only like 1 or 2 recipes from each episode, but it's given me tons of ideas about "pre-cooking" dinner for 1 or 2 nights a week. It really take the pressure off to know that dinner just needs to be tossed in the oven.

[5kcandlesinthewind]

I agree with everyone else about trying to do some things (not everything) during the week. Look into a crockpot, too- you can throw something in before work, and dinner is ready to go when you get home.

[onetruething]

Jan 30, 2013 20:48:56 GMT -5 fuddyduddy said:

LOL. I'm glad I could help!

You can see if Peapod delivers to your area. I don't know any other local grocery delivery services.

FYI, If you're trying to save money Peapod ups the price of every item.  Roche Brothers delivers at the actual sale price.  They charge a flat $10 fee, but the first one is free and I have found a bunch of free delivery codes online. Hth!

[preppy]

Feb 2, 2013 14:12:26 GMT -5 onetruething said:

Jan 30, 2013 20:48:56 GMT -5 fuddyduddy said:

LOL. I'm glad I could help!

You can see if Peapod delivers to your area. I don't know any other local grocery delivery services.

FYI, If you're trying to save money Peapod ups the price of every item.  Roche Brothers delivers at the actual sale price.  They charge a flat $10 fee, but the first one is free and I have found a bunch of free delivery codes online. Hth!

Good to know, thank you! I will check and see if Roche delivers in my area.

Also the crockpot is a good idea. I have 3 go-to crock pot recipes (roast chicken, beef stew, and enchiladas) if anyone has a good one I can try let me know!

[5kcandlesinthewind]

This swiss chicken casserole is like a trillion calories, but it's so good:

southernfood.about.com/od/crockpotchicken/r/bl48c3.htm

(I do cook the stuffing before adding it, but that takes like 5 minutes, and is done while I prep everything else.)

My husband likes this chili recipe:

allrecipes.com/Recipe/lauras-quick-slow-cooker-turkey-chili/detail.aspx

And here's a website with slow cooker recipes to browse:

www.crockpotgirls.com/