I'm on vacation this week, so Monday's regularly-scheduled blog post will be interrupted. So I figured I'd post tonight instead, and mention a few things that have been on my mind lately.
Atrophy
I've been starting to feel some physical effects from working at home, at the computer. I've been spending 12 or more hours at the computer each day (between work and play), and I feel like it may be taking a toll on my body.
Two weeks ago, I was talking with Rochelle about work schedules, and the topic of non-standard work weeks came up. I remembered some folks actually work an extra hour Monday-Thursday, work normal Fridays, and take every other Friday off.
That's a neat idea, in theory, but I have a problem...
I Am a Workaholic
I ended up working the second Friday anyway. With this vacation coming up, it was easy for me to justify it as getting some work done before logging off for a week. I even worked a few hours on Saturday. I wanted to get a build out to my customers with the new combat features before I left, but it just didn't work out.
Instead, I worked so hard for two weeks that by Saturday, I was actually starting to get sick of working. That's a first, or at least a rarity, for me. I was starting to lose drive to work on things, and my creativity. I think I might've burnt myself out.
Step Away from the Computer
Getting away for a week, out in the woods, is probably exactly what I need. Force myself away from the computer. Get some sun. Chop some wood. Soak in the warmth of a campfire. Drink some beer.
When I get back, I think it's time to seriously consider running again. It's been over 6 months since I last ran. The rain makes it tough, but I think the rainy season is supposed to end soon, so it's probably time to start an exercise routine.
And I need to scale back to 40-hour work weeks again. I may still try for the 9-hour days with alternate Fridays off. Having the occasional 3-day weekend will be a nice way to relax the inevitable weekend rush to do chores, errands, and still fit in some fun.
So anyway, be on the lookout for that if you work alone and/or from home. This situation is one I didn't expect to happen to me, and it sort of snuck up. Too much work ethic can often be as bad as too little.
