The traffic situation is probably the single biggest time consumer in the life of the everyday Dhaka resident. It doesn't matter if you're working 9-5 or have “creative” hours; the commute will eat up a chunk of your workday, especially if you have other errands, bank work et al to deal with. By the time the weekend (or your designated off day) rolls up, you start feeling like a postcard out of an Elliot poem.
It's tempting and all too easy to take the time to just veg out and recharge your batteries, but too much of a good thing can land you in a rut and leave you feeling even more burnt out over a period of time. This is where one can take inspiration from the lives of successful people and try to maximise on your downtime.
Wake up early
Yup, you heard that right. Although this shouldn't be too much of a surprise. We've all been through that cycle of promising ourselves to catch up on sleep, only to end up staying up till the crack of dawn on a Netflix binge or Facebook stalkathon, and spending the rest of the day in a zombie state, peppered with self-loathing. Break the cycle by sticking to your early morning routine. Not only will this not shock your circadian rhythm, but you'll get a lot more done on your day off.
Get fit
If your regular workday doesn't leave much room for workouts, set aside some time in for one during the weekend. Aside from the obvious health benefits of exercise, it's a good way to refresh your mind and get those creative juices flowing.
Plan
One way to manage the chaos that is life in the city is to at least have a game plan for the week. The weekend is the best time to sit and make that plan. Creating a rough time line for the week, pencilling in time for that dentist trip you've been meaning to take, or those chores that have been piling up. Once you've made a schedule for it, you're much likelier to get it done.
Connect
Stuck in the maelstrom of work, it's very easy to let your personal relationships slide, until one day you wake up and wonder where your friends have gone. Even if you can't do it every weekend, do save time at least a couple of times a month where you get some face time with friends and family. Not only will this feel good, it will renew your confidence and give you a support network you can fall back on.
Play
You know, all work and all that jazz. What sets you apart from the thousands of people in your chosen field, who have had access to the same kind of education as you, have had the same kind of work experience as you, may just be in your unique combination of interests. Take some time to find out what it is (other than work) that really inspires you, be it music, or your comic book collection, and nurture those interests. Not only will it keep you sane, it might actually come in handy career-wise someday.
