How can you make time for hobbies without sacrificing your work-life balance? (2024)

Last updated on Mar 27, 2024

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1

Identify your priorities

2

Schedule your hobby time

3

Be flexible and realistic

4

Set boundaries and communicate

Be the first to add your personal experience

5

Enjoy and appreciate

6

Review and adjust

Be the first to add your personal experience

7

Here’s what else to consider

Hobbies are activities that you enjoy doing for fun, relaxation, or creativity. They can help you cope with stress, boost your mood, and enrich your life. However, finding time for hobbies can be challenging, especially if you have a busy work schedule and other responsibilities. How can you make time for hobbies without sacrificing your work-life balance? Here are some tips to help you.

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How can you make time for hobbies without sacrificing your work-life balance? (1)

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  • Wendy Madera Maldonado Psicóloga | Ayudo a la Superwoman Perfeccionista y Estresada del siglo XXI a convertirse en la Mujer que desea ser…

    How can you make time for hobbies without sacrificing your work-life balance? (3) 2

How can you make time for hobbies without sacrificing your work-life balance? (4) How can you make time for hobbies without sacrificing your work-life balance? (5) How can you make time for hobbies without sacrificing your work-life balance? (6)

1 Identify your priorities

The first step to making time for hobbies is to identify your priorities and values. What are the most important things in your life? What are the goals and tasks that you need to accomplish? What are the hobbies that you are passionate about and that make you happy? By answering these questions, you can create a list of priorities that reflect your personal and professional needs and interests. This will help you allocate your time and energy more effectively and avoid distractions and procrastination.

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  • Wendy Madera Maldonado Psicóloga | Ayudo a la Superwoman Perfeccionista y Estresada del siglo XXI a convertirse en la Mujer que desea ser liberándose de la inflamación Mente y Cuerpo a través de una Transformación Interna
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    A veces nos sentimos abrumados porque creemos que tenemos demasiadas cosas que hacer. En estos casos lo primero es sentarse a reflexionar que realmente es prioritario en este momento de tu vida. ¿Cuáles son tus valores? De qué forma se representan los mismos (tus normas). Y mejor aún busca tu agenda. Revisa tus actividades. ¿Cuáles de ellas realmente forman parte de tus prioridades? Cuando tenemos más que claro cuáles son nuestras prioridades, es mucho más sencillo organizar nuestro tiempo en torno a ellas.

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  • Cydney Irby The Visionary Creative Reshaping Narratives and Healing Communities

    I learned from a company advisor last year that the word "priority" being plural is a modern concept and it blew my mind. With this information, it allowed me to take stock of what my main priority was each day, especially at work compared to at home. Ask yourself when you're at work:"If I could only do one thing that moved the needle forward today for the company, what would it be?"Once you finish that task, ask it again.At home, ask yourself:"If I could only do one thing to make myself happy today, what would I do?"When we stop trying to make everything plural and put more on our plate, we'll realize work-life harmony is more achievable.

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2 Schedule your hobby time

The second step to making time for hobbies is to schedule your hobby time in advance. Treat your hobbies as appointments that you have to keep, not as optional activities that you can do whenever you feel like it. By putting your hobbies on your calendar, you can make them part of your routine and ensure that you have a dedicated time slot for them. You can also set reminders and notifications to help you stick to your schedule and avoid forgetting or skipping your hobby time.

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  • Stephen Spence Fueling high achievers to conquer burnout and unlock their full potential! | Certified High-Performance Burnout Prevention Coach | Follow me for insight and inspiration on peak performance and lasting fulfillment.
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    Hobbies are an important part of a harmonious life, but they can easily become all-consuming if we allow them. A good way to still fit it in time for them but allow for other areas of work, personal growth, and relationships is to schedule the time for your hobbies. You need to consider your priorities and the amount of time you want to allot and determine if it is reasonable. Once you do that make sure to communicate with your friends and possibly work if needed regarding this scheduled time so make sure there are not any concerns. Once you have communicated the scheduled time, then make sure to actually schedule it and stick to the scheduled time.

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  • Wendy Madera Maldonado Psicóloga | Ayudo a la Superwoman Perfeccionista y Estresada del siglo XXI a convertirse en la Mujer que desea ser liberándose de la inflamación Mente y Cuerpo a través de una Transformación Interna
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    Yo tengo un pasatiempo que me encanta, es el libro ¿Dónde está Wally? Encontrar hasta la última minúscula pieza, me entusiasma mucho. Al terminar siempre me siento relajada y durante la semana, veo los efectos de la misma: me concentro mejor, tengo mucha más paciencia y mi memoria está en óptimas condiciones. Por eso, para mí es prioritario agendar mi el tiempo de mi pasatiempo. Antes de ponerle fecha y horario al tuyo. Te invito a que como yo descubras los beneficios que trae tu pasatiempo a tu vida. Al estar consciente de los mismos, es más fácil identificar un buen momento para llevarlos a cabo, porque estás claro de su importancia.

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3 Be flexible and realistic

The third step to making time for hobbies is to be flexible and realistic. Sometimes, things may not go according to plan and you may have to adjust your schedule or cancel your hobby time. For example, you may have an urgent work project, a family emergency, or an unexpected event that requires your attention. In these situations, don't beat yourself up or feel guilty for missing your hobby time. Instead, be flexible and reschedule your hobby time for another day or week. Also, be realistic about how much time you can devote to your hobbies and don't overcommit yourself. Choose hobbies that fit your lifestyle and budget and that you can do regularly and comfortably.

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  • Wendy Madera Maldonado Psicóloga | Ayudo a la Superwoman Perfeccionista y Estresada del siglo XXI a convertirse en la Mujer que desea ser liberándose de la inflamación Mente y Cuerpo a través de una Transformación Interna
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    Es un pasatiempo, no es una cita con tu jefe. Por tanto, sé realista de que a veces se cruzara algo en el medio. Pero no pasa nada, puedes programarlo para otro momento del día o de la semana. Yo todos los domingos saco una hora para mi pasatiempo y la verdad es que soy flexible con el horario. A veces puede ser en la mañana. A veces en la tarde. De hecho, este fin de semana no podrá ser el domingo porque tengo visitas y tengo que atenderlas. Pero entonces, lo moveré al sábado. Y cuando salgo de fin de semana con mi esposo, sencillamente no lo hago. A la semana siguiente estoy con muchas ganas de sentarme otra vez a trabajar en mi pasatiempo.

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4 Set boundaries and communicate

The fourth step to making time for hobbies is to set boundaries and communicate. Sometimes, you may face pressure or expectations from others that interfere with your hobby time. For example, your boss may ask you to work overtime, your spouse may want you to do more chores, or your friends may invite you to socialize. In these situations, you need to set boundaries and communicate your needs and preferences. Explain to others why your hobbies are important to you and how they benefit your well-being. Ask for their support and understanding and respect their hobbies as well. Also, learn to say no to requests or invitations that conflict with your hobby time or that don't align with your priorities.

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5 Enjoy and appreciate

The fifth step to making time for hobbies is to enjoy and appreciate. When you do your hobbies, focus on the present moment and the positive emotions that they bring you. Don't worry about the past or the future, or compare yourself to others. Instead, appreciate the opportunity to express yourself, learn new skills, or have fun. Celebrate your achievements and progress, no matter how big or small. Also, share your hobbies with others who have similar interests or who can appreciate your work. This can help you build connections, get feedback, and find inspiration.

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  • Wendy Madera Maldonado Psicóloga | Ayudo a la Superwoman Perfeccionista y Estresada del siglo XXI a convertirse en la Mujer que desea ser liberándose de la inflamación Mente y Cuerpo a través de una Transformación Interna
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    Lo más importante de un pasatiempo es que te guste. Que lo disfrutes. Que te sientas mucho mejor después de hacerlo. De lo contrario, no es un pasatiempo, sino una carga. Los pasatiempos estimulan nuestros cerebros, así como liberan nuestra creatividad. Llevarlos a cabo, nos hacen sentir que estamos disfrutando de la vida, porque al llevarlos a cabo estamos en el momento presente.

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6 Review and adjust

The sixth step to making time for hobbies is to review and adjust. Periodically, evaluate how your hobby time is working for you and whether you need to make any changes. Ask yourself questions such as: Are you enjoying your hobbies? Are they helping you reduce stress and improve your mood? Are they compatible with your work-life balance? Are there any challenges or obstacles that you need to overcome? Based on your answers, you can adjust your priorities, schedule, or hobbies to suit your needs and preferences. You can also try new hobbies or explore different aspects of your existing hobbies to keep them fresh and exciting.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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  • Cindy Jasmin Merette De la Rosa Human Resources Consultant
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    Vivir el presenteVivir el presente puede ser una poderosa estrategia para reducir el estrés. Al enfocarnos en el momento actual, podemos liberarnos de preocupaciones sobre el pasado o el futuro, permitiéndonos experimentar plenamente cada momento. Practicar la atención plena y la gratitud nos ayuda a cultivar una mentalidad de aceptación y calma, disminuyendo la ansiedad y el estrés innecesario. Al centrarnos en lo que está sucediendo ahora mismo, podemos encontrar alegría y tranquilidad en las pequeñas cosas de la vida, creando así un sentido de paz interior y bienestar.

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