I work an office job at a non-profit. We're understaffed, I constantly feel overworked, and my boss is always so stressed and often has high demands, expecting me to be able to keep up with him. Both our desks are a mess. I have to laugh sometimes because I always say, Welcome to non-profit.
So when I come home, it's often with work still buzzing in my mind, distracting me, draining me of my creativity. I was hoping you all who have gone through or are going through tough challenges in life would be open to sharing how you were able to overcome and still find the will to write? Any feedback would be great.
I turn to writing for stress relief, of course, but sometimes I just can't get my mind off of work, like tonight. It gets me so frustrated that I allow work to take over my life like this!
So when I come home, it's often with work still buzzing in my mind, distracting me, draining me of my creativity. I was hoping you all who have gone through or are going through tough challenges in life would be open to sharing how you were able to overcome and still find the will to write? Any feedback would be great.
I turn to writing for stress relief, of course, but sometimes I just can't get my mind off of work, like tonight. It gets me so frustrated that I allow work to take over my life like this!
One of the most common answer to this kind of question, no matter your workplace, is pretty simple to say but really hard to execute: you need to leave work stuff at your work place. You have to learn to close the door the moment you leave the building and not to open it until you go back the next day.
How to do that differs per person. I tend to turn to movies, games or books and immerse myself in their stories to stop the onslaught of other thoughts. It gives me a chance to settle down, from which I can close the door and leave it shut.
What do you do when you come home? Are there any activities besides writing that can accomplish a distraction and actively help you redirect focus?
How to do that differs per person. I tend to turn to movies, games or books and immerse myself in their stories to stop the onslaught of other thoughts. It gives me a chance to settle down, from which I can close the door and leave it shut.
What do you do when you come home? Are there any activities besides writing that can accomplish a distraction and actively help you redirect focus?
I find exercise, like a brisk walk around the block a few times, does wonders for waking me back up and helping to burn off frustrations from one project/job before I start in on another.
Also, sometimes moving the thoughts out of your head to be picked up later helps. Like if you are plagued with all the things you need to do tomorrow, make a checklist, then put it in your purse/bag/lunch box/whatever so you are sure to bring it with you tomorrow. That way, your brain knows it won't be forgotten, but that the tasks have an assigned time that is not now.
Also, sometimes moving the thoughts out of your head to be picked up later helps. Like if you are plagued with all the things you need to do tomorrow, make a checklist, then put it in your purse/bag/lunch box/whatever so you are sure to bring it with you tomorrow. That way, your brain knows it won't be forgotten, but that the tasks have an assigned time that is not now.
I don't have a job, but I do get stressed when it comes to heavy school work like my major plates. And well, this stress does affect my writing a lot since it makes me lose the mood and inspiration to write. However, since stress makes me literally sick (like migraines, vomiting, and vice versa), what I do to avoid it is tell myself, "I can do it! I can do it! Just stay positive!" Then I'm okay. Just that. 
Well, I am epically bad at handling my stress, so sadly I have no good advice whatsoever. Good luck with it mate.
Unfortunately, it can be a difficult situation to place yourself within, especially when work has become a place that you don't particularly look forward to going to. You sound a lot like me, where it's easy to get so wound up thinking that you'll eventually have to go back there that you'll end up becoming too distracted with it to actually enjoy the time off you get!
My philosophy as of late, though it's hard, has simply been to turn around at the end of my shift and say: "**** it."
It doesn't help when you've got something to remind you of it, though. My friends and family often tend to ask me about my day and I admittedly get a little worked up all over again when I try and explain, especially when I've had a bad day. Sometimes it's better to just politely say "I'll tell you later".
That aside, I've somewhat learned to cope with the stress of this by turning off my phone after the day has ended so that there would be nothing from my employers to bother me outside of the actual workplace. Fortunately, I don't use my phone other than for contacting people whom I already have on my computer or in my household, so I still manage to stay in touch with those I want to speak with without any sacrifices being made on my end.
Have you tried taking a nap after work? I find that sleeping helps me to calm down a little bit when I'm stressed.
My philosophy as of late, though it's hard, has simply been to turn around at the end of my shift and say: "**** it."
It doesn't help when you've got something to remind you of it, though. My friends and family often tend to ask me about my day and I admittedly get a little worked up all over again when I try and explain, especially when I've had a bad day. Sometimes it's better to just politely say "I'll tell you later".
That aside, I've somewhat learned to cope with the stress of this by turning off my phone after the day has ended so that there would be nothing from my employers to bother me outside of the actual workplace. Fortunately, I don't use my phone other than for contacting people whom I already have on my computer or in my household, so I still manage to stay in touch with those I want to speak with without any sacrifices being made on my end.
Have you tried taking a nap after work? I find that sleeping helps me to calm down a little bit when I'm stressed.
I second Sanne. I find that in order to save what laughably-small amount of sanity I have left, it's best to leave the stresses where they came from. I dive into stories and let my brain relax that way; RPR being utterly fantastic for that. Nothing like helping to build a story with someone to help with stress.
That isn't easy, of course, and sometimes I've had to tell partners that shenanigans were afoot and it might take me a few posts to get back to my usual level. I've had nearly impossibly fantastic and understanding partners, so as yet it doesn't seem to have been an issue. It's like having to push-start an old car.
Barring arpee, I turn to novels or video games, something with either a rich story or more of a bent toward escapism. After inviting Miss Stripey-Paws to a surprise tea in Far Cry 3 or beating the Chemical Plant Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, things usually look a bit better.
That isn't easy, of course, and sometimes I've had to tell partners that shenanigans were afoot and it might take me a few posts to get back to my usual level. I've had nearly impossibly fantastic and understanding partners, so as yet it doesn't seem to have been an issue. It's like having to push-start an old car.
Barring arpee, I turn to novels or video games, something with either a rich story or more of a bent toward escapism. After inviting Miss Stripey-Paws to a surprise tea in Far Cry 3 or beating the Chemical Plant Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, things usually look a bit better.
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