Really hard time balancing life....

Hi all. I doubt this is a new topic, but I'm having a really hard time balancing my life between friends, family, girlfriend, and hobbies. Luckily for me, I'm in a great group so my weekends are usually free, but like most finance roles, I have little to no free time one the weekdays. So I really only have Friday to Sunday for my life. Between these days, I also need to allocate time for my different friend groups, my gf, and my own hobbies. How do you guys do it?

 

Navigating a work-life balance, especially in finance, is indeed a challenge many face. Based on insights from Wall Street Oasis, here are some strategies that might help you manage your time more effectively:

  1. Prioritize and Plan: Start by prioritizing your commitments. Understand that you might not be able to fit everything into a single weekend. Planning ahead can help you allocate your time more effectively. For instance, you could dedicate specific weekends or parts of weekends to different activities or people.

  2. Quality Over Quantity: When it comes to spending time with friends, family, or your girlfriend, focus on the quality of interactions rather than the quantity. Meaningful, engaging activities can make the time spent together more fulfilling, even if it's less frequent.

  3. Combine Activities: Look for opportunities to combine activities. For example, if you enjoy outdoor hobbies, consider inviting your girlfriend or a group of friends to join. This way, you can spend time with loved ones while also engaging in your hobbies.

  4. Communicate: Openly communicate with your girlfriend, family, and friends about your time constraints. Most people will understand the demands of your job and appreciate your effort to balance your commitments. Setting expectations can help mitigate any potential disappointments.

  5. Self-Care: Remember to allocate time for yourself. It's important to recharge and indulge in hobbies or activities that you enjoy alone. This can help improve your overall well-being and make you more present during the time you spend with others.

  6. Be Flexible: Sometimes, despite your best efforts, plans might not work out. Be flexible and willing to adjust. The key is to make the most of the time you do have, rather than stressing over the time you don't.

Remember, finding the perfect balance is an ongoing process. It's about making conscious choices and sometimes making sacrifices. However, with thoughtful planning and open communication, you can create a fulfilling schedule that accommodates your professional and personal life.

Sources: Is work life balance really worth it when you are young?, Why are we Obsessed with "Work/Life Balance"?, Who is happy & satisfied with their current role?, For love of the game, Work/Life Balance - Hours

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

I read and wrote many pieces on this topic, and I'm afraid I haven't found the best way yet. I tried picking one day per week (Monday-Thursday) to make plans in the evening and make the weekend somewhat "lighter", but it doesn't always work. Following this with a tiny hope I'll read something I can apply in my case. 

 
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