Hey there, folks! Shabana Mukhtar here, and I’ve got the daily prompt to answer a big question: What are you doing this evening?

What am I doing this evening?

I’ll be doing precisely what I did the previous evening, and what I’m likely to do every evening in the foreseeable future—struggle to strike that elusive work-life balance. It’s going to be a déjà vu all over again.

Let me paint you a picture of my daily routine. You see, I’m still firmly entrenched in the work-from-home routine, and every morning, as I start my day, I make a solemn vow not to put a hard stop on work after completing my designated 8 hours. But here’s the kicker—more often than not, I end up toiling away until the late hours of the night, sometimes as late as 11 pm, with a brief dinner break in between. Crazy, right?

Now, you might be wondering, “Shabana, why put yourself through this madness?” Well, my friends, that’s the bittersweet reality of remote working. You see, I want to be with my family, here in Nagpur, but my job keeps me tied to Pune, where my office is located. The prospect of living alone in Pune is less than appealing, so here I am, navigating this daily balancing act.

The title of this post should have been: Evening Chronicles: The Perpetual Struggle for Work-Life Balance

My Evening Plans

As for my plans for the evening, it’s all about waiting for that elusive moment when my mind finally decides to grant me some respite. I’m eagerly anticipating the magical hour when I can log off from work, shut down my laptop, and indulge in a simple pleasure—a nice cup of tea without sugar.

There’s something incredibly soothing about that cup of tea. It’s a small ritual that allows me to hit the pause button, if only for a brief moment, and savor the flavors of home. It’s a reminder that amidst the chaos of work and the constant battle for balance, there are still simple joys to be found.

So, there you have it, my evening plans summed up in a nutshell. The struggle for work-life balance continues, and the quest for that perfect evening—a cup of tea in hand and a heart at ease—goes on. Until then, my friends, here’s to hoping that the scales tip in favor of a well-deserved break. Cheers to finding solace in the little things!

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