Yup – if you’re facing overwhelm, do one more thing.
Make it a hobby, preferably something you really love. Something that can get you into “flow”, or something you’re really proud of, or something that has meaning to you. Something that you’d do for free.
Keep it low-stakes and low-pressure.
If we haven’t been introduced, hello! I’m a public accountant and I love my creative hobbies, especially writing this blog. Nice to meet you, creative soul!
We’re in the middle of tax season where I live (this tax season marks my lucky 13th!). This time of year we tend to vanish from our families and social circles to crush tax returns, resurfacing in May. I was recently introduced to the term “tax widow(er)” – the apparent absence or demise of your spouse for months at a time. We are sure to give our spouses appreciation every year for holding down the fort while we’re gone!
Wait – if it’s tax season, and we’re that busy, what on earth am I doing here on the blog?
Offsetting the overwhelm, of course! Let me explain.
Hold on – isn’t this just piling on to an already full plate?
Yes, but we’re not adding just anything! Adding the right kind of stuff to a full schedule can actually help keep you energized and grounded when you’re busy. What kind of stuff, exactly?
Passion.
Meaning.
Activities that balance.
Healthy boundaries.
Something just for you.
Things that pique your curiosity.
Making time for your hobby, even when you’re busy, is a key to swinging the pendulum of balance back to center. (We talk more about this in the post The Role of Balance in the Onset of Burnout!)
Overcome overwhelm by rebalancing the scales
In my profession (and as a parent of young children), I’m finding more and more that the feeling of overwhelm isn’t necessarily about how busy I am, or how long my task list is.
It’s about how much of that stuff is under (my) control.
This time of year is overwhelming because we’re dealing with a high volume of work, tight deadlines, AND we can’t control much of the workflow. Pile on surprise childhood illnesses, nearly-forgotten application forms, and the occasional traffic debacle for some added zest.
On days where it feels like everything is out of your control, it soothes the soul to have one meaningful thing that is very well within your control. It rebalances the scales.
Of course, you have to actively add that thing to your day or week – that’s the point!
That thing also needs to be meaningful enough that it stands out as something you did just for you. It should take a little effort so that you feel accomplished after having done it.
3 ways your hobby helps offset overwhelm
I will say that I love the classic self-care activities for when your overwhelmed: relaxing in a hot bath, eating good food, going for a workout. What’s missing? I think it’s a mix of progression, accomplishment, and meaning.
That’s where a hobby can really make an impact:
It is something you want to do. Ever notice that you’re content to do a task as long as you decide to do it? (Tell me I’m not alone in this!) The moment someone else tells you to do it, your motivation changes. Same task, completely different feeling. The same thing happens if you are doing something because you feel like you should do it. Filling your day with these tasks can make you feel overwhelmed. The solution is to make sure you have at least one thing that you’re excited to get to.
It helps you feel fulfilled and accomplished. When we’re overwhelmed, we might be getting a lot of work done but instead of feeling accomplished at the end of the day, we’re feeling restless yet exhausted. It’s partly because we’re not getting enough personal value out of the work. (Also, it never seems to end!) Your hobby is an arena that can help you get that sense of accomplishment because it’s fulfilling on its own, and you get to set the pace. You can get that accomplished feeling just by working on something that is yours alone, and you get to decide the pace.
It adds meaning and purpose to your work week. Sometimes your work life just doesn’t cut it when it comes to meaning and purpose, and that’s okay. I’ll bet that your hobby does, though! A creative hobby is an opportunity for free play, self-expression, and exploration. Even if you don’t think your hobby has meaning or purpose, you can find some in it. Doing something meaningful to you can give you an energy boost, and reduces the feeling of overwhelm through a shift in perspective.
So shift the scales in your favour, and yes – take that extra hour you could have spent working, and devote it to your favourite hobby!
Finding time for your hobby when you’re busy
What about my workload, and all the things I have to do? Shouldn’t the hour I spend on my hobby be spent on my workload?
Maybe.
If it’s feasible though, I would see time spent on your hobby as preventative maintenance. We’re preventing overwhelm from impacting our work negatively by either:
- Getting too emotionally invested in the work (because that can happen when it’s all you focus on); or
- Becoming too distant from the work (disengaging from the work might be a coping strategy).
Either one of these arguably decrease your performance and productivity at work. You want to tackle your workload feeling balanced and engaged. Meaning, it’s totally worth it to spend a little time on your hobby every week.
As for the workload itself, your experience may vary. I have an employer that on average, requires a “moderate” amount of overtime compared to other firms.
But.
I would challenge you to see how much of your wall-to-wall workload is within your control. Sometimes we hear the office battle cry, and we feel pressure to take on more than we can reasonably handle. So, be mindful of what you truly “must” do, versus what you feel you should do. I’m sure your employer would rather you do more than less, but I really don’t think they want you feeling overwhelmed all of the time!
Of course you can have every intention to manage your workflow, and it spirals out of control anyways. It happened to me already this season! I wrote about it (and how I managed) here.
The point: know your limit and work within it.
You also have to play within it. I still write during tax season but I do less of it, and less frequently. It’s just another creative season to understand and work within.
For me, a slower and more constrained creative season is a great time for:
- Experimenting with new methods. Admittedly, my typical writing process takes weeks. Due to the lack of time and infrequency of my writing this time of year, it’s a great opportunity to experiment. For example, I can write shorter posts, on simpler topics, and with limited edits.
- Picking the low-hanging fruit. I need that sense of accomplishment! I often have many posts in the works just waiting for one more thing: a final edit, graphics, or maybe just the right time (because I get easily distracted with new ideas). This season is a great opportunity to finally clear the queue and hit “post” on those pieces. I get the feeling of accomplishment without spending so many hours to get there.
- Keeping it low stakes yet meaningful. This is the perfect season to play! I need something to light me up, breaking up the monotony and the grind. I don’t need to feel the pressure of perfectionism. It’s a great time to see what else I have in there and play with new ideas. (I can’t say they’ll all make it here, though!)
Parting words
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and have a hobby you’re dying to get back to, I hope this reinforces that desire. Do it! It is very much worth rebalancing the scales to feel a bit more within your control. In turn, it’ll help you get through the workday with a much more positive outlook and some bonus energy and clarity. Reprioritize and find that little pocket of time per week to carve out for your project.
If you wish you had a hobby that you’re passionate about, you’re on the right blog. The key is to let yourself play with your creativity. Try what calls you, and continue down the path of what is calling the loudest. Some people are lucky enough to have always known what they wanted to do, but many of us find it and build a passion for it. If you could use some more tips, here are a few helpful posts:
- Finding time and making space for your creativity
- Cultivating authenticity with a creative practice
- Bullet journaling basics (if you’re totally lost but want to tap into your creativity, I always recommend a bullet journal!)
Thanks for reading – now, go crush it!
