Erika Davis
Our bustling city of Chicago is full of busy residents balancing work, home life, friends and family, communities, personal passions, and more. Juggling all the tasks and obligations in our daily lives can, at times, feel overwhelming. Here are five tips for striking a balance between competing demands – while finding some fun and peace in the process.
Factor in Fun – Fun often gets de-prioritized, so we’re starting with the fun first. There are endless ways to have fun in Chicago, and the neighborhoods around our Rogers Park and Gold Coast buildings can keep you busy for weeks at a time with memorable excursions. Protecting some of your time for activities and people that bring you joy will prevent burnout in other areas of your life.
Batch Tasks for Productivity – Batching tasks is one of the most effective productivity tools. The principle: batching similar activities together and completing them all at once instead of spacing them out over time. Weekly meal prep is an example of task batching – you cook/prep multiple meals all at once instead of trying to come up with ideas, ingredients, and the energy to cook from scratch at every meal. Take a look at your to-do list and look for opportunities to batch.
Manage Your Energy as Well as Your Time – Time management is not just about the clock. Understanding your energy levels at different times of the day can help you find more balance. If you’re a morning person, you may benefit from taking care of more strategic and important work tasks in the morning, whereas night owls may want to knock off more no-brainer tasks in the morning instead. Monitor your energy levels throughout the day (i.e., do you notice a 3:00 p.m. energy slump?) and see how you can arrange your work and home tasks around them.
Prioritize Activities Based on Your Values – Your values can act as both a compass and a guardrail when it comes to taking on too much. If allowing your kids some unstructured free time is a parenting value, it’s easier for you to limit the number of organized activities they participate in. If you value giving back to your community, you can prioritize the volunteer events of your favorite charity. It’s easier to find balance when you’re spending time doing things that you know are in line with what’s important to you, instead of saying yes to everything.
Create a Sanctuary at Home – At TAWANI Property Management, we pride ourselves on providing inviting rental spaces that apartment residents can transform into their own personal sanctuaries. Feeling a sense of peace when you walk in the door is important for overall stress management. Even if there are parts of the house that aren’t as peaceful (like the mess in the kids’ room), you can carve out a spot that lifts your mood, such as a reading chair or a gallery wall of favorite photos. We’re grateful that your TAWANI home is part of your work/life balance equation.
We’re proud to support Chicago residents as they navigate the demands of city living, and we’re committed to fostering spaces that promote balance and well-being. Here’s to creating more ease, energy, and enjoyment in your everyday routine.
