The Structure

I remember a few years ago when I was discussing not working with someone, she said that the structure is needed that's provided by weekdays and weekends. Not having a clear picture of what the weekends mean, and lacking that structure makes life chaotic. It really rang a bell.
Now I clearly see the difference.

The structure of work-free time creates a balance.
You know that this is your time to get ready, get dressed and go to work. Then you will know this is the time to relax and unwind because this is your free time. And you will learn to look at it differently. To appreciate it and try to make the most it.

I think the ritual of getting ready and going to work, being there is also important. As opposed to doing work from home, which again can get chaotic in my opinion.
This Saturday I am not working in between two working weekends and last night when I turned in, I actually said out loud that I cannot wait for tomorrow. Suddenly less free time means more time. Because you learn to treat time differently and make the most of it, you learn to structure it, you are less likely to waste it, knowing how precious it is.

I am not all about balance and knowing limits. :) So this change has been helpful for me in this respect also. Another interesting thing I have noticed is that sometimes work is soo stressful with so many people and so many tasks at once, other times though it is lazy and slow and I suddenly find myself with nothing to do, which unnerves me.
So I have come to appreciate stress at work, believing that although it feels bad momentarily, it is sure to teach me skills like handling difficult situations, multitasking etc. A lot of work at work will mean I am learning and developing.
Perhaps there's a time for work and relaxation... and that kind of structure is needed in our lives. .....