We spent four days away for Thanksgiving break this year – my longest yet! I remember thinking as I booked the trip that this may have been too long. Too long for what you may ask? From work? Away from San Francisco? Are those actually legitimate reasons? I schlepped my work laptop with me all the way to Orange County believing I’d have some time to check in on work periodically or get through some emails. Turns out, I didn’t. I didn’t really have the time and when I did, I opted for quality conversations with my family and watching bad Netflix holiday movies.

The work can be never ending. I have the type of job where I can go to bed and wake up the next morning to a completely full inbox after hitting zero. It amuses me more than it worries me. This year, after starting my new job I wanted to actually try to have more work life balance. Yes, it’s a thing people say they strive for, but it’s actually much harder to do! Work life balance doesn’t just come to you. It’s not inherent with the job that you decide to work at or the company. As an individual, you have to create those boundaries and after years of not doing that, it’s an area where I need practice. In a way, I feel like I’m reversing myself backwards because I’ve gone so far off the deep end!

All that said, this isn’t my biggest concern. I have so much to be thankful for in 2018 – my health, my career, my family, my friends, and my beautiful home. These are the constants that keep me very happy and content in my life. I’m looking forward to making the small improvements that enhance my life a bit more in 2019. Readers, thank you for continuing to stick with Yow Yow! Now let’s get to year 10.