By Donnie Kesterson
We all know the old proverb “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” but did you know that how you play is just as important as not working all the time?
As an Ambassador for Houston Insider as well as Sr. Talent Development Specialist at UHD, I have a unique perspective about how to enhance the life part of the work/life balance equation.
There’s a ton of information on the Internet about how to balance work with life, but what about making your life more interesting and fulfilling so it better balances the time you spend working?
In life, but especially during the pandemic, we can find ourselves on a hamster wheel of mundane routine. If you find your life outside of work lacks interest and variety, it is time to work on the life part of your work/life balance.
Take it from me, the process of identifying fulfilling life activities can be overwhelming. However, I encourage you to keep it simple. Start out by finding at least one activity that really interests you and make a plan to do it. It can be out on the town or even in your own home.
It sounds simple, but it is easy to find excuses to avoid following through. However, if you are serious about adding interest to your life and find better balance, you need to make this a priority.
Get suggestions from others
I am continuously seeking tips and advice from Gators on how to improve my work/life balance, especially during the pandemic. Coworkers, family and friends are great resources for finding interesting activities to add depth and interest to your life.
Listed below are a few resources I received from Gators—as well as a few I discovered myself—in my journey to improve the life part of my work/life balance.
Top websites for Houston activities
You can never be bored in Houston with all the free and paid events, activities and outdoor adventures.
To stay in the know of the latest and receive exclusive access to events, such as candlelit orchestra concerts or restaurant grand openings, join the Houston Insider Ambassador program. If you don’t want to commit to being an ambassador but want to learn about their activities, Houston Insider also has a calendar you can view.
Other activity websites
You can also find exciting things to do around town on social media. If you are on Instagram, check out Houbucketlist, 365_houston, and #thingstodoinhouston. If you are on Facebook, check out the group “Stuff to do in Houston.”
Disconnect to Reconnect
Searching online for activities can be fruitful, but it is important to disconnect digitally periodically. Although it is difficult to meet with friends and family outside your home right now, there’s never been a better time to reconnect with loved ones in your household or to reconnect with yourself. Below are a few recommendations:
- Connect with loved ones by cooking a new recipe together (or try a new recipe yourself).
- Create a banana split or dessert bar at home.
- Explore park calendars for activities you can do as a family.
- Explore UHD’s W.I. Dykes Library for icebreaker activity books you can use to develop games for your household.
Adding variety and interest to your life is essential to help make the most of your time away from work. Whether you take advantage of activities outside of your home or find new ways to actively engage with yourself and those you live with, you will find increased enrichment and variety, which is necessary for a balanced life.
The HUB Employee 