Today's Lesson: Stress Doesn't Stay at the Office

Today was one of those days. The kind where my schedule felt like a pressure cooker, and every task seemed to be a ticking time bomb. As a bookkeeper, I'm used to juggling deadlines and ensuring accuracy, but today felt different. The stress seemed to seep into my pores, making even the simplest tasks feel overwhelming.

I've always prided myself on my ability to compartmentalize work stress. Leave it at the office, they say. But today, that boundary felt like tissue paper. As I walked away from my desk, I could feel the weight of the day pressing down on my shoulders.

Cooking dinner is usually a time to unwind, but my mind was racing today. I replayed every tense conversation, every missed deadline, and every mistake I'd made. It was a constant loop of self-criticism.

I tried to relax, but my body was tense, and my mind was racing. I felt overwhelmed, anxious, and completely exhausted. It was a stark reminder that stress doesn't always stay at work. It can follow us into our home life, affecting our relationships, sleep, and overall well-being.

I know I'm not alone in this. Many of us in the bookkeeping profession face similar challenges. But it's important to remember that we don't have to let stress control our lives. We can take steps to manage it and create a healthier work-life balance.

Things I find helpful:

• Stretching, yoga, pilates, walking
• Starting the morning with a calm routine (a short walk, tea, lighting a candle)
• Ending the day by recording all of my thoughts and prioritizing them for tomorrow

What strategies do you use to cope with work stress outside the office?