Dear Ralph: Please How do I balance my work and Social Life

Hello Ralph,
         So on seeing your post about maintaining balance I had to ask as I am in a situation. I wake up really early and leave for work in order to beat traffic and get to work on time so I can avoid being fired as my boss doesn't play with punctuality. I work from morning till night and leave again then spend most of the time on traffic only to get back late and sleep so I can get back up and rush out again. I can't hangout with friends much because if I drink I wouldn't wake up as early, I only have Sundays to take care of myself and my house. My work program has shut down my social life and I really don't know how to go about this. It is really depressing and I know if I continue like this the depression will get more serious Any suggestions for how to do this?

                                                                                                                                                Charles





Dear Charles,
         You have a really tight schedule thanks to the general life around you and other circumstances but let's see how we can work around this. The goal here is to try and create some time for yourself and for your social life, so I would ask that you maximize every little time you are given. Like scheduling your work leave days(if your office does that) near public holidays so you have extended time to rest it out and see friends. Days that you know the traffic is going to be really bad why not just go and sit out with your friends from work until things clear up a little bit, going into the traffic knowing that you will still get home late might not be the best, just sit out with friends till the rush hour is over. And I know you mentioned not being able to drink when out so you can get up early, I just want to say that it is possible to still be with your friends and not take alcohol. Just take any soft drink or even better yet you guys can go out and grab a bite to eat anywhere close to the office.
       It might not be easy taking care of your home but you will have to utilize the weekends well for that, you have to face what you have in front of you until things change for better. And speaking of changes it doesn't hurt to also keep an eye out for a job opening that will give you better working conditions. So also look into that. Just take it easy and work with this for now and you'll be fine.

                                                                                                                                                 Ralph