I've been struggling somewhat with both of these issues for a long time. And as a result of all the work I've done in the last part of 2013 to really begin to deal with regaining my happiness, I feel like I need to be absolutely vigilant about keeping up fences in my professional life. If I don't, all the predators, in the form of grading, teachers' issues, and stress will begin to zap my energy again and I will lose focus on my personal goals: balance, relationships, health, connection, fun.
Conversely, the opposite seems to be my struggle in my personal world. Tearing down SOME of the "protective fencing" is part of the process when you are trying to establish relationships. Calculated risk is required. Sadly, those fences are not only steeled and plated, they've been there so long they are now covered in knotty muscled vines that need a weed-whacker on steroids to remove.
No joke. The very same fences that I need in one area of my life also need to be scaled back a little (a lot) in other areas. Here's the visual in my mind.
What I need in my Professional Life:
What I need in my Personal Life:
I love that analogy, and totally agree with the need to keep things separate. I have really struggled with this my whole life. "Good fences make good neighbors", and all of that. I'm not in the workforce now and STILL struggle with this when it comes to play dates, school, etc. And of course the book. So I will be keeping these visuals in my mind, too :)
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