Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1434375
C A S Q U A R T E R L Y I W I N T E R 2 0 2 2 89 only sport that mimics life in a sporty way. It's all about individual accomplishments but in a team setting. If someone makes a mistake and you try to cover for it, we all make a mistake." Schafer also turns toward athletics and prioritizes running her body mechanics on her weekends off, as well as spend- ing time with family and friends. "I try to do one thing for myself a day; go to the gym, read a book outside during lunch," stated Schafer. "I am pretty devoted to my two main hobbies— cycling and rock climbing—so my weekends are booked up doing those activities with my amazing friends. On the weekends, I also have my daughter, and spending quiet evenings with her helps me feel whole and recharged." Räven, however, taps further into her creativity in her spare time. "I like making arts and crafts and giving them away because of the joy people get when they receive them." Räven excitedly shares, "I make Hogwarts school boxes and give them away for free. I only do six a year. I painted the boxes, and the sweaters have been store-bought but now they're being handmade." But it's not always about what you do that helps keep you going and inspired in your work. Kylland and Schafer emphasized the importance of sleep both while working and when taking time off. "Sometimes it's going to bed as soon as possible so I get a decent rest. Sleep is so important to not getting burnt out," expressed Schafer. Joseph also added that sometimes inspiration and staying in tune with work is prioritizing who he works with to create a culture of fun and enjoyment. "It's the ability to have conversations where they aren't revolving around the space we are occupying," stated Joseph. "They can remove us from the space we are in which [in turn] makes the space more enjoyable." Why It Matters "Here's the thing, our labor force is oversaturated," Joseph stated flatly. "It's why we've gotten to where we've gotten with hours, money, quality of life—because everyone is so afraid they're not going to work." At the end of the day, Joseph, Kylland, Schafer, and Räven all recognized one thing to start prioritizing a life away: It's just a job. "For some reason, people are making their careers their lives, and it makes them too myopic about the world outside of work," observed Joseph. "Because we mistakenly believe we have to take every job, we turn it into our life, and then you end up surrounding yourself with like-minded people and you don't have any other perspective on life." "Prioritizing a life outside of work is incredibly important," Schafer concurred. "We aren't workers, we are human beings. We get paid to help tell stories that the public enjoys. We create, and it can be rewarding making something people love; but not at the cost of our mental health, spirits, and families." And, as Kylland observed, it's not just about today but also about tomorrow and 10 years from now. "It's important to take days off because our jobs don't define us. If you base your life around this industry, it's possible you will be bitterly disappointed. You need to develop healthy habits and physical strength in order to balance your mind and bring you peace. I want to be in it for the long game, not just work hard for a few decades until my health gives out." with hours, money, quality of And, as Räven said, "Tomorrow is too late." She continued, "You'll never be given this time later. You don't know what you'll be given later as in illness, a car crash, or cancer unknown in your family. You need to do it now, or you'll never do it." Let Your "No" Be No The hardest part of staying refreshed and inspired is creating the space to be available for the next job. There will always be another job, another offer waiting. Work seems to have become the definition of life and what people organize life around. What would happen if that was inverted? What if work fit into life? "Something I've learned is that it's OK to say no," empathized Kylland. "Saying no to 12+ hour days, toxic work environments, and jobs that don't value me have all been game changers to my life." It's okay to say no.