More than ever, there is always something happening in our cities, with constant stimulation in the form of gallery exhibit openings, charity events, networking events, theatre, concerts, restaurant openings, weddings, and the list continues. Within our ever-growing social networks (made larger when groups of friends are united as people get married), it seems there is something text-worthy happening practically each night of the week. Then there’s work. This is a crazy, busy time of year for young professionals (YPs) in a variety of professions, filled with late nights at the office, lunches at the desk and no foreseeable downtime until summer vacation. For many YPs, especially those with socially charged jobs, there never seems to be any time to slow down and the only relaxation we may get is in shavasana during hot yoga class. The city can be consuming professionally and socially, sometimes interchangeably. Socially, its lights, sounds and tastes can tempt you like a peer pressuring friend in high school; professionally, it is like a demanding boss who makes you want to work as hard as you can to keep up with the groundbreakers among us. Are you victim to the consuming city?
You Don’t Remember the Last Time You Ate a Meal at Home
If you can’t remember the last time you ate a meal at home, you likely run from the office to dinners out with coworkers, on dates, or to social and networking events almost every night of the week. If you can’t recall the last time you used your stove or oven, you probably don’t have any groceries in your fridge, or have ones that need to be thrown out this instant. If your living space doesn’t feel like a home, you will never want to spend time there and perhaps even make an effort to be there as little as possible. This will only cost you money (cooking is cheaper than dinners out) and, likely, sleep, as somehow dinner turns into drinks… and a mild morning headache.
Your Laundry and Dry Cleaning are Adding Up
Another telltale sign that you’re spreading yourself too thin at the mercy of your city and may need to step back a tad is when that bag of dry cleaning overflows to the point that your closet looks noticeably scarcer. If you are a fashion-loving female, you may even use the dry clean or “no clean clothes” excuse to purchase even more clothing for that last-minute party or dinner. When your closet is not organized, with all your beloved staples and new finds alike fresh and ready to go, this will only cause frustration those mornings or occasions when you are frantically (and unsuccessfully) trying to put together an outfit.
You Feel Pressure to Be Everywhere and Anywhere
With so much happening, both professionally and socially, YPs may feel pressure –whether imposed by others or imposed on themselves – to accept every social invitation, check out every trade show, reluctantly say “yes” to after work team-building activities with colleagues and somehow make time for dinner with their significant other in the midst of it all. So many of us are victim to FOMO (the fear of missing out), the nagging worry that if we decline invitations, that we may miss out on the party of the year, the opportunity to meet the person of our dreams, or to finally get in front of that key business contact. Don’t let FOMO get the best of you. Here’s how to control it.
You Haven’t Seen Your Family for Months
Ever have one of those moments where you take a step back and realize that you have spent more time with your co-workers and industry associates than your actual friends and family during the past few months? Yes, you need to be selfish and strategic with your time during these formative years of your career, opting to wine and dine a group of prospective clients in town for the evening over joining your family for your great aunt’s 87th birthday, whether you want to or not. There is no need to be unavailable to your family and those friends who are like family, however, and some have probably already mistaken your behaviour as dismissive. Stay connected, even if it means multi-tasting – an email crafted on the subway ride home, a phone call to an old friend while you cook your dinner (providing you’ve made it to this step) or asking your family to meet you for dinner downtown rather than wasting precious time travelling to your parents’ place on the other side of town.
You are Perpetually Connected
The days of simpler, digitally-free times of our youth, where things like running or riding bikes outside for hours, or savouring a sunset or a campfire, seem like forever ago. Now, you can’t imagine doing such things without your smartphone in hand (you may get an important work email, after all) and documenting it via Instagram, Tweets or Facebook status updates. Sure, it serves the purpose of an alarm clock, but there are other reasons that phone remains within a metre of your pillow each night. If your phone dies or freezes when you’re out, it is almost a panic-inducing crisis.
If you recognize these things in your self, the thought of a vacation has likely crossed your mind this week. Take that vacation, even if just for the weekend, and don’t feel guilty about it. Not all booze and culinary indulgence, a vacation offers a chance to reflect, refuel and recharge, ultimately increasing one’s productivity upon return to the office. A more affordable option? Turn off your cell phones after a certain time of the night and maybe even for a good portion of your precious Sunday. Make your home conducive to relaxing and enjoying your down time – whether this means an upgrade to your entertainment system, a new, plush duvet or even a BBQ. Most importantly, learn to slow down your thoughts and give your mind a break – they don’t have to move at the pace of the city. Oh, and give your parents a call.