Balancing Act

Having worked for about 8 years in jobs that included long and tedious working hours, I’m blessed with a job right now that allows for a balanced life. And as with all former workaholics, I wondered, what the hell do I do with a balanced life that allows me to go home at a reasonable time and have full weekends? Yes I was bitching for quite a while. Not being used to “balanced living” I was at a loss. But I think I’ve adjusted better --- I’ve learned that there are other things to work on and it’s not necessarily your job. Some of my hobbies may seem geeky, but then when you’re living independently, you do learn to embrace your geeky hobbies! Here’s what I’ve found out about myself so far.

1. I love travel planning, for me its half the fun of taking trips! It’s about imagining where to travel, coming up with imaginary travel plans, and then booking a real one. So far I’ve investigated Spain, Beijing, Bali, Hanoi the Maldives and finally booked me and my friends on a Phuket vacation.
2. I like going to the grocery and figuring out what new things to cook up besides tortang talong, beef steak and stir fried chicken. I have come up with my own invented recipes that I have feeling only I can eat.
3. I’m addicted to the internet. I admit it—I’m a chatting and social networking junkie. Working in an online company for almost 5 years just ingrained in me that bad habit of being online most of the time, even at home.
4. I like to hang out at home watching DVDs and reading books…a luxury I didn’t have much time for when I started working. It’s nice to remember what it was like to be the book and TV addict of my teenage years.
5. I’m happy to have the time to go to the gym, capoeira class or swimming/tanning at the pool…admittedly I’ve only been slightly athletic in the last 3 years of my life, after I started surfing. I may possibly be in the best shape of my life. Still, having the time to work out doesn't mean it’s easy to kick myself to go and actually do it.
6. I am an excel nerd because I’m into calculating and re-calculating my monthly budget…and figure out ways to make up for all that extra-shopping I never plan on doing.
7. I love spending time with friends and that’s always been true even as a “workaholic”. But now its about expanded possibilities and different opportunities. Its one of the best things in life in a new setting!
8. I’m into finding new hobbies and revisiting old ones: I bought myself a set of artists color pencils, watercolors and sketch pads. Yes I would like to try painting and sketching again. I’d like to go through my photos, print and frame or put the best ones in an album. I’d like to try white water rafting in Kuala Selangor, kite boarding in Kuantan. Actually a lot of the new things I’d like to try and places I’d like to go I look up on the internet. (Ok, I’m trying to defend the geeky internet habit!)

So I’m no longer a workaholic but am I busy? Yes! Busy finding other things to do in life besides work. It's a fulfilling and full time occupation in itself.