This week, as we head into the nicer weather and the upcoming Easter & Passover long weekend, we at Kamazooie thought we would investigate the topic of balance.

Obviously, balance can mean many things, and at different parts of our life, the factors we have to balance against each other changes: career versus family, savings versus spending, kids versus significant other, self versus community, all of these are issues of balance. 

Where Are We Spending Our Time?

One great source that I found online is PEW Research (the complete article is at Moms and Dads).

Their survey asked respondents whether or not they felt they had enough free time to do the things they want to do. It was interesting that there wasn't a big difference between males and females but there was a big difference across the ages.

Most respondents 65 or older say that they have enough free time while the adults in their 30s and 40s are the least likely to say so.

Clearly, raising kids is the big factor here. On that topic in particular, and in spending time working versus time cleaning the home, it appears that the old stereotypes are finally dwindling away and the gender gap is closing in all these areas. Here is a look a the split of males and females on work and domestic duties.

Regarding time for career versus personal and couple interests, these are also an areas where some are looking to achieve more balance. During our early work lives, our focus is on career and raising kids but as we get older, career goals migrate to retirement goals and less time for raising kids allows more time for 'self' or to be with our partner in leisure and travel time.

Re-Balancing After the Nest is Empty

From the analysis above, and from our own personal experience, it is clear that kids and career take up a lot of our time. For this topic, I turned to a posting on wikiHow discussing How to Recover from Empty Nest Syndrome. This time of life can be somewhat depressing and lonely; the post investigates how to deal with these feelings but it also discusses ways in which the empty nest time is a new and exciting phase in which we can discover and rediscover. While the complete posting is available at the link above, I will just paraphrase some of the points around re-balancing our lives.

Make New Friendships or Rekindle Old Ones:

Friends are helpful in many ways from helping with issues of loss or loneliness to finding new things to do together. Online communities like Facebook, Classmates and our very own Kamazooie provide one avenue to making new friends around common interests or locating old friends. If you do have issues of loss or loneliness, don't hesitate to share these thoughts with friends but of course, if these issues are bothering you a lot, also don't hesitate to seek professional help. 

With respect to engagement with friends, you may want to consider booking regular events like a Monday morning coffee or tennis game with one friend and another evening meeting to discuss interests such as a book club, studying amateur music or investigating a part-time business with other contacts. These scheduled events don't have to be life-long commitments but they can provide a way of getting you going with new ideas and activities. Signing up for a class at a college or community centre is also a great way to meet new friends and learn in new areas.

Pick Up on Old or New Hobbies

My dad always says he's a jack of all trades but master of none. As we look at recovering more time, it is an opportunity to evaluate, of all the things you have done. What do you like the most? What would you enjoy getting better at? When I was younger, I took piano lessons, all the way to Grade 9 Conservatory. I don't focus on it now because it is not a priority to me, but I do know that when I have more time, I will return to the piano because it made me feel good to play music, even if just for myself.

The empty nest phase, is the perfect time to jump back into some of the hobbies you loved but never had enough time to develop fully.

Re-Discover the Love of Your Life

If you are single, consider whether you want to become involved but if you already have a life-partner, the empty nest phase can be the best time of your lives together. Your new freedom allows you the time to take short day-trips or over-nighters. Become a tourist in your own region and take the time to smell the roses as it is said. Its also a great time to explore each other's interests; help your partner grow and be all that they want and he or she will I'm sure return the favour. 

See the World

Of course, the highlight of the empty nester phase is starting to chip away at that bucket list of destinations. Make a list of the places you really want to see and, if applicable have your partner list theirs as well.  Then perhaps, alternate top picks each year. 

These larger trips can also become a driver to learn a new language. For example, if you plan to visit Italy, pick up a CD set on leaning Italian and challenge yourself to learn enough to at least get directions and order dinner.

Share Your Experiences with Others: 

Of course, at Kamazooie, sharing is what we're all about. If you've had some success (or challenges) at work or home-life balance, we'd like to hear how you addressed them. 

Also, if you've recently crossed another location off your bucket list, we'd love to read and see how your trip went; open up a blog and post some of your highlights for us.

Wishing you a Happy Easter or Passover, or if you don't celebrate either of these, then have a great weekend.

Amanda