Finding the balance

One of the goals for my time in Germany was to work on finding a proper work/life balance, something that seems to be difficult for many academics. A lot of people don't seem to realize that just because academic faculty don't have typical 9-5 jobs, and may only be physically lecturing 6-10 hours a week, it's not uncommon for us to work 60-80 hours a week (or even more). This varies throughout the year, but there's grading, lecture prep, committee work, student advising, and, of course, research and writing. In 2009-2010 when I was serving as a Visiting Assistant Professor, I worked a minimum of 10 hours a day, 7 days a week. I have a tendency toward workaholism. I always want to be the best I can be. To do the best job I can. But, as I have learned over the last year, that can pay a heavy toll on one's personal life.

...And when I got here, I was still pulling the pieces of my life back together, and I was completely unable to establish anything resembling a routine. Of course, it is difficult to have anything resembling a routine when one is constantly moving. In any case, since I have gotten back to Tubingen, I am finally establishing that routine. And while I recognize that I am living a life of academic luxury this year, as I am basically on a year of sabbatical, I am learning more and more about what I would like my life to look like. I am getting work done, but I am also having fun... I am finding the balance. ...I am lucky to be surrounded by a really great/dynamic/social group of young scholars- many of whom seem to actually have a good work/life balance, themselves (work hard, play hard- hah). I am aware I probably won't have access to the same sort social environment next year. All the more reason to take advantage of it while I can....