Discussion Do you have a balanced life?

[Forever Sleep]

A friend once told me that I needed to put in as much effort on having a social life, hobbies, sports- whatever as much as I did trying to build a career. I didn't take their advice. I didn't feel like I had the time or the desire for other things. I very much 'put all my eggs in one basket' as they say. Which of course- is unwise because, it can feel catastrophic when you realise there's a hole in said basket!

How about you? Did you work to create balance in your life? Or, did you single mindedly focus on one thing? How did it work out? Presumably not that well if you're here... Do you think things would have worked out better if you'd split your time and attention on various goals? Presuming you had goals. I know also that not everyone does.

 

[Pluto]

 

[-nobodyknows-]

Does being shit at both count?

 

[lilah]

i go to work, come home and sleep. i also read a lot.

i spend 80% of my life reading and the other 20% daydreaming.

i have a bullshit job so i don't put any effort in it.

i wish i had a social and romantic life but i seem to be unlovable.

 

[daley]

I feel a bit like like @lilah . I would just work and sleep. Besides that I also daydream a lot.

Also like lilah, I didn't develop a social life because I felt unlovable. Actually, that is
not true. For several years I miraculously did have a girlfriend, but it didn't work out. I'm glad
I had that experience though.

I could have developed hobbies, but nothing attracted me in particular. I suppose writing on
pro-choice forums is my hobby.

I guess the focus on work also stems from the same "unlovable" feeling - that I am not enough,
so I put everything in work to make up for that. I always worked long hours, even though I
was not typically productive. When nobody was in the office, I would daydream, or play
games. I didn't have much at home to return to, so I stayed late, and might
at least get something done.

Now I am retired. I am still quite alone but it feels right for me. I have some hobbies on my
to do list (playing guitar, drawing) but I don't feel the pull to make an effort in them. I haven't
started with them so far.

I still write on pro-choice forums though!

 

[ijustwishtodie]

I don't even know what a balanced life looks like to me because there isn't anything that I enjoy nor do I have any goals in the first place. What do people even mean when they talk about having a balanced life?

 

[Lostandfound82]

My life isn't balanced at all. If I was able to leave my room or the house even maybe I would have a chance at trying to have a normal balanced life but the agoraphobia is too strong.

 

[Warlord's Pulse]

I had a time when I just focused on work, but when said "work" failed me it was a utter disaster
Nowadays I'm forcing myself to be balanced. I still value my work, but also go to the gym, trying to learn drawing, a martial art and trying to play more games overall
It's extremely hard and it doesn't feel that fulfilling, to be completely honest

 

[TheHolySword]

I do the bare minimum at work. I come home and dissociate until it's time to go to bed. I lay awake for hours consumed by thoughts of death. I wake up and repeat it all the next day. I have nothing in my life. I don't talk to anyone, I don't go outside except for work, I am too depressed and lack any energy to attempt any hobbies or activities. I'm lucky if I can stop thinking about dying long enough to pay attention to a youtube video. My life is balanced only in the sense that there's nothing worthwhile in it that could be out of balance.

 

[Hollowman]

No

 

[savory]

No, balanced is not a word I'd ever use to describe my life. I'm not a disciplined person though yes I've tried to be. I've practically been winging it through life, my energy goes in the direction it's called to

 

[Rust]

I couldn't help but laugh a bit in self pity when reading the title. Nope, I've only ever been able to focus on one thing at a time. Given that work means my survival, it's what I put all my time into. I don't really see things changing in the future. It definitely makes me question why I go on this way. But then again, I know that I wouldn't do anything differently even if I had spare time.