How to Maintain a Good Work-Life Balance?

We are all busy these days. Kids to take care of, homes to clean, partners and family members to deal with, schools to go to, food to make, laundry to get done and lots of other miscellaneous jobs around. Somehow we need to make it work and be efficient in the midst of all that. Therefore, it is important for our mental and physical well-being to budget our time wisely.

Budgeting time for relaxation becomes an integral part of a schedule of a busy human being. While some people relax by pumping iron in the gym, some love to meditate in the morning or go for a walk.

To feel our best and deliver the best service at home, and at work, we need to make sure we are taking care of ourselves first. Eating nutritious food, moving our bodies, and caring for loved ones are important for our well-being. An ideal day could start like this: waking up an hour before we have to leave for work and giving ourselves extra time to wake up and have breakfast along with our favorite drink (some might say that is coffee, it certainly is my favorite) can kickstart the day on a positive note. For others, it might be that they need to work-out early morning to feel great. Find what works for you and make a habit of it.

A nice start to the day could lead to a day full of positive experiences. When we face negativity throughout our days, we can make sure that we react to it in a thoughtful manner. If our boss is yelling at us at work, we have the power to choose and not to yell back. We can focus on our breathing and make sure that we get our job done more effectively or quit the job, because who wants an angry boss anyways?

I am starting my graduate school in a week and I just moved across the country. This is my first time living away from home. I also have a part-time job and am an athlete An ideal day for me will go like this:

• Sleep at 10pm every night
• Wake-up at 6am

This timeline is what works for my body and mind, everyone’s inner clock is different. Find out yours and stick to it.

• Put relaxing music on
• Make lime, ginger water and drink it first thing in the morning
• Wash face, or shower
• Journal and meditate while drinking my water
• Drink coffee and eat overnight oats we prepared the night before with my partner
• Do some yoga, stretching, rolling
• Get ready and head to school, work, etc.

If we live with someone else we need to make sure our interactions do not put the other person down or make them angry. Jokes are great in their own place and time. Making a joke about someone’s way of eating every day is not a joke anymore. We need to point out positive light in our partner, roommate, sibling so they can also start their day on a positive note.

Second

Immigration synopsis + what to do with fear?

2011 - It is about the time when my parents fully decided to immigrate to Canada. My high-school friends had mixed feelings. Grade 9 was finishing up. I had never believed in God or religion but the pressure of leaving my friends and family got me praying to some higher being. Also had to leave my ex-boyfriend. At the time, this all seemed like a terrible idea. Why would we want to move away from all of this? We have such a great house! I watched my parents work so hard to become doctors and take care of me. Why would they want to switch locations? I did not have a clue. All the girly grade 9 hormones of mine were telling me to fight for staying in the country and I did fight.

Today, I thank my parents for bringing me here. The family split up. I went through some horrible moments, months. I like it now. Every day used to seem like meaningless hard work. Now I do meaningful hard work that I love.

The first day in Canada was spent in a school district trying to start grade 10 right away. Before we even had a place to live. Parents successfully got me into what my mom thought to be the best high-school around based on her research. She turned out to be true, like always. She is an amazing lady by the way. I was fascinated by how huge the school was. In my private high-school back home, we had maybe 200 students. But here, around 1500 students (!) or some number bizarre to me. I've grown up into it now. Grown up into a lot of things. Did I forget to tell you that English was not my thing? I almost knew zero English. I knew the alphabet and basic greetings but that was about it. Thanks to my teachers at my Canadian high-school, I know a little more now.

Home from school in the afternoons. I spent a considerable amount of time everyday eating Nutella and almonds. It was good at the time until I really could not function from being sugar high. I was also completely sedentary. I'd like to refer to that period as my post-immigration perfection. Lasted for about 6 months. I decided to go to my local community center and start swimming.

My coach told me that I could start doing life-guarding courses. I did not think I was good enough. I was scared. I tried anyways. I've been teaching swimming and lifeguarding for 5 years now.

Found weightlifting in 2014. When I got back from Italy on January 1st, 2014, I walked into a Fitness gym and signed up for their classes. After 4 months I realized they offer Olympic style weightlifting classes. I tried a few classes and the coach got me to compete in the sport after 3-weeks of practice. I was absolutely terrified. Did it anyway and I've been competing for 4 years now.

Fear(less)
No matter what your Voldemort says, get after it. My Voldemort is the fear talking in my head. When I want to start a new project like this blog, my Voldemort goes crazy. Tells me people might judge me, I might not have the best grammar or writing style. The voice is still there. Good thing that the voice is separate from me, otherwise I certainly would not be here talking to you guys.

Thanks for reading.

First

I am very excited to finally start my blog. I have been thinking about this for a few months and thought why not just start without preparation. I enjoy writing. I want to practice by sharing my life experiences with you. I will try to keep my essays short and sweet. The title of each essay will just be the chronological number as I write and publish them. So this is first. I already love it!

Here are a few lines about me. I am a Persian weightlifter living in Canada. I eat a whole foods plant-based (WFPB) diet. I'm here to share my story. From obesity, suicidal plans and a self-destructive mindset to a minimal and easier life and how weightlifting plays a role in it all. Stay tuned for the second essay!