Live a little more
small things you should do to get the best of your hectic life
I live and work in the Silicon Valley and this could be a double-edged sword. In one of the highest density of population in US, you would run into so many people socially and professionally, having a very similar lifestyle like yours.Is this a good thing? yes! Is this a bad thing? maybe!
I run into and meet so many people who are so focussed upon getting to an ‘even’ better place in their life. Now the question that pops up is ‘how can this be bad?’ A pursuit to excellence is probably one of the most noble instincts a human can have. But if this journey is fueled by the impression of these overachieving people you meet, you might want to step back and take a look at the means to reach the goal. It has been emphasized in countless pieces of written and visual media so I am not going give a lecture on the ‘best practices’ for a happy work life balance. What I am going to lay down tidbits of my reflection to get a better work-life balance and a healthy life. I am sure not all will agree to this but then again ‘Ahh…what the hell!’
Here are some of the ways to live a little more by
…earning less
Whoa what?? Well saying that money is the root of evil might be an over statement but ‘it’ being a considerable influencer in your growing unhappiness in not an unfair assessment. If you are already in the high paying tech industry, maybe easing down on getting bigger paycheck or equity over paycheck might not be the worst of ideas. The amount of stress you take to increment a digit in your paycheck can be an exponential function of the stress of that digit’s distance from the units place. And when you are not working, you are stressing about the correct investment to make on that extra earned cash. All I say is that if you are still in your primes, just compare your paycheck from what you had 10 years ago and see the difference.You have earned a lot! And you are still in your primes. Think about it! Maybe a little less stress is a better deal than a little more money.
…working better hours
You can decide the hours of your work, One tendency I constantly see in the valley is that a usual workday begins at 10 AM and ends 7 PM. Move this a couple of hours back. Try to start you workday at 8-830 and be done by 530 PM. This gives you a good amount of time to unwind before you go to sleep. And since the sunlight is still on when you leave, it gives you a hope to do more things. For me, mornings are the most productive part of the day! Sleeping 8 hours everyday could be a stretch but a good 6-7 hour sleep and getting up early in morning does keep you refreshed. The added bonus to this, you get to spend more time with people who matter to you as more likely, evenings are the time when you can have actual conversations and spend quality time.
… trying herbal tea over caffeine
Now a work-life without caffeine is unimaginable…right? Give it a try. Herbal tea can get you more active than you think. If you’ve had a good rested night, the office lethargy can be easily curbed without caffeine intake. Herbal tea, is not only a great hot beverage but has intense health benefits. For me, it just makes me feel more responsive and calm. So just rush to the nearest Trader Joe’s or Teavana and get a box of organic herbal decaffeinated teabags. Why organic? because this time the extra 2 bucks you spend will for sure count towards you!
…reading better
Well I know that reading is not for everyone, but everyone does it. Specially when you are in office, the break you take is more often than not reading over the internet. Stop reading things that relates to you directly. marketwatch.com, twitter feed from Carl Icahn, stock tickers, venturebeat.com et al will not go down if you dont get it during your break. Visit a mind soothing feel good site like upworthy.com, medium.com or travelchannel.com. Engage in some fantasy, plan a trip on kayak or Groupon Getaways or just try out the USA today crosswords. They are really easy! The idea is to keep you mind from things that can affect you. Reading fiction over non-fiction is always more relaxing. Always!
If you are a advanced, read it on Kindle Paperwhite to enjoy the perks of distraction free serious reading.
…cooking and sharing
Who says that you need to be Gordon Ramsay to cook. The entire process of cooking is very very therapeutic. It can instantly suck you out of your troubles and relax you. Burn the damn food but go through the process of thinking and starting to cook. This engages your mind off the daily humdrums (unless you are a professional cook). Invite friends over for dinner during weekdays. It might be a stretch but will yield amazing results. Eating food with friends and companions is always awesome when the food is at the comforts of home. It is a rejuvenation therapy that refreshes you for the rest of next day. Getting a take-out from the nearby Vietnamese restaurant might not be the best way to watch netflix with!
… going urban once in a while
The number one weekend activity people in valley do is going for a hike. I say, dont always go for a hike! If you want to go outside, go to the heart of urbanization. Have you ever embraced the awesome Saturday culture in San Francisco city? The Pier is just so alive.Get up late, have a brunch, go to the city, get great pictures at the bay and have a good dinner at a slightly upbeat place. Live the life and spend something on spoiling yourself. It might make you feel much better than having dinner at Denny’s next to an interstate highway at 10PM in the night!
…doing other little things
You love photography, make sure you get at least 5 pictures a week. If you love reading and writing, make sure you write at least once a week on medium.com (or anywhere). Carasse your inner nerd. Watch Doctor Who or Game of Thrones when you get time. Spend some money on those nerdy t-shirts you like. Turn off the data and wifi of your phone and talk to your loved ones!
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