As the fall season approaches and many of us are returning to “normal” operations, I find myself questioning the whole work/life balance thing yet again. For the last 18 months, the lines between work and home have been nearly nonexistent – it’s the nature of the beast that we, as professional communicators, face.
For over a year and half we have lived in a world where everything is ours to share. We are the front line to getting the information out; we have sent countless emails, posted to social media, given press conferences, and navigated the criticism and skepticism that followed. The machine never stops running and while this is our sweet spot, it’s important to recognize we are only human.
I vividly remember the day I was sent home from the office. We had COVID on our radar for a while, but it was becoming clear that extreme measures were about to be taken, and not just in our small neck of the woods. I took home my laptop and a few odds and ends, figuring we’d be back in a week or two. I even left a coffee beverage and yogurt in our fridge, knowing they wouldn’t expire for a few weeks. How silly of me…
On the way out, I stopped to snap some photos; something nagged at me that this was a moment not to forget. I was about to leave the place that I have worked for half my life and I wasn’t sure when I would be returning. I got some shots of the library, our Central Mall, and perhaps most telling – the empty parking lots. I still have those photos on my phone, but they are hard to look at; I’ve only looked at them one time since that day. They are the stark reality of a defining moment not just for me, but for my whole family.
I drove home that afternoon knowing that things were only about to ramp up. Not only at work but at home as well. The world as my two children knew it was about to change and there was nothing any of us could do to soften the blow. After we heard from their school, I took them out to one of our favorite local trails and listened as they chatted and comforted one another. It was important to me that we get outside and remember that the world we live in was still safe.
The next 18 months were a blur. They challenged me, pushed me to the brink, and had me questioning many decisions I made. Yet, I was also strengthened in a way that I wasn’t expecting, and it only recently hit me that it was never about the perfect setup (dining room table as a desk anyone?), being able to pivot (ugh, that word!) perfectly, or trying to have all the answers. It was about keeping the people I care about most close and finding my happy again.
To achieve this, I had to become much more intentional with my time. Work had exploded, and I needed to make sure my personal life didn’t take a backseat every day. I started blocking out my lunch hour a few days each week as my schedule allowed – filling the time with everything from a quick swim out back, picnic out front, whatever would allow me to take a moment away from the phone and computer.
No one needs a rundown of what I personally did, but maybe some of us could use that gentle reminder to Take. The. Break. Get outside, watch a movie, throw on a face mask, do what you need to do to give your mind a mental break, even if it’s a short one. We are often on a 24-7 cycle ourselves – keeping up with news, updates, constant information, and new guidelines to follow. When new details come through, we don’t get to sit on it; we are immediately figuring out how it will impact our communities, how to share it out quickly, and bracing ourselves for what will follow.
We are strong, we are resilient, and we are more than capable. But we are also only human. If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that life can change in an instant, so take the break while you can.
About the Author
Kristin Steiner is a Senior Communication Specialist at CSU Channel Islands in Camarillo, CA. Formerly an Information Technology support professional, she made the jump to public relations after several years of working part-time in the field. Enthusiastic about her community, Kristin is thrilled to be working close to home at the youngest campus in the California State University system. Part of a small but mighty Communications team, her role includes running the online News Center, assisting with media relations, serving as the backup Public Information Officer, and providing support for film and photography.
She holds a B.A. in Psychology from CSU Channel Islands. When she is not working, Kristin enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons (and the family pets, Pixie and Ralphie!) and getting outside for a good hike or day at the beach.
