So. You're a distance runner, and life is a marathon. Your training regimen has largely been "sprint all-out until you physically can't run any more, then lie on the pavement for five minutes and do it again." Obviously, as an actual runner, you know that's not going to work. You have to jog. You have to walk here and there. You have to take actual days off, to give your knees a chance to recuperate. It's not only okay, it's vital, or you will end up hurting yourself and having to take an entire season (or longer) off to recuperate from injury.
It's possible, at this point, that what you really need to do is take a season off to let your body recover from what you've been doing to it - but unfortunately life doesn't really come with breaks once you enter the working world, and a vacation isn't going to be long enough to let you recover.
So how do you deal with being a hyperactive overachiever and stay sane?
1. Schedule downtime. If you do NOTHING ELSE, do this. Book two hours three times a week, plus at least one weekend day a month, to sit on your couch and drool. If you're feeling REALLY ambitious, you can pick up your controller or your knitting, but the most basic activity should be nothing more complicated than couch + drool. Put it in your planner. It's an appointment with yourself, and it's every bit as important as the appointments you have with your boss. As you recover, you may be able to adjust that downtime around, but BARE MINIMUM, two hours, three times a week and one weekend day a month. Resist the urge to do anything that requires thought or concentration - you ARE doing something. What you are doing is CATCHING YOUR BREATH and letting your body recover. (I bet this will also help your running; booking time in to let your body do nothing will also be good for it.)
2. Prioritize. You've been working on that with your boss, and your work life has improved immeasurably! Do it at home, too. Fuck folding the laundry. The floor doesn't need to be mopped that often, really. Whatever - prioritize your chores. Let your standards slide a little. Prioritize your activities, too, and allow yourself to drop some or set up a rotation. This month: no [whatever]. Do x instead. Next month, you can do some whatever and stop doing x.
3. Get help. I get the impression that you have a job that pays really well - have you thought about hiring someone else to fold your laundry? How about mopping your kitchen floor, or doing your dishes? Use your prosperity to help someone else! Find a laundry service - my buddy in Chicago found one that picks up and delivers, even. Hire a maid to come in a couple of times a week.
I had more thoughts! But I, um, have to go to work. XD So. tl;dr IT'S OKAY TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.
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So. You're a distance runner, and life is a marathon. Your training regimen has largely been "sprint all-out until you physically can't run any more, then lie on the pavement for five minutes and do it again." Obviously, as an actual runner, you know that's not going to work. You have to jog. You have to walk here and there. You have to take actual days off, to give your knees a chance to recuperate. It's not only okay, it's vital, or you will end up hurting yourself and having to take an entire season (or longer) off to recuperate from injury.
It's possible, at this point, that what you really need to do is take a season off to let your body recover from what you've been doing to it - but unfortunately life doesn't really come with breaks once you enter the working world, and a vacation isn't going to be long enough to let you recover.
So how do you deal with being a hyperactive overachiever and stay sane?
1. Schedule downtime. If you do NOTHING ELSE, do this. Book two hours three times a week, plus at least one weekend day a month, to sit on your couch and drool. If you're feeling REALLY ambitious, you can pick up your controller or your knitting, but the most basic activity should be nothing more complicated than couch + drool. Put it in your planner. It's an appointment with yourself, and it's every bit as important as the appointments you have with your boss. As you recover, you may be able to adjust that downtime around, but BARE MINIMUM, two hours, three times a week and one weekend day a month. Resist the urge to do anything that requires thought or concentration - you ARE doing something. What you are doing is CATCHING YOUR BREATH and letting your body recover. (I bet this will also help your running; booking time in to let your body do nothing will also be good for it.)
2. Prioritize. You've been working on that with your boss, and your work life has improved immeasurably! Do it at home, too. Fuck folding the laundry. The floor doesn't need to be mopped that often, really. Whatever - prioritize your chores. Let your standards slide a little. Prioritize your activities, too, and allow yourself to drop some or set up a rotation. This month: no [whatever]. Do x instead. Next month, you can do some whatever and stop doing x.
3. Get help. I get the impression that you have a job that pays really well - have you thought about hiring someone else to fold your laundry? How about mopping your kitchen floor, or doing your dishes? Use your prosperity to help someone else! Find a laundry service - my buddy in Chicago found one that picks up and delivers, even. Hire a maid to come in a couple of times a week.
I had more thoughts! But I, um, have to go to work. XD So. tl;dr IT'S OKAY TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.