Rely on family time to keep yourself grounded
By Ashley M. Ratcliff
When you’re a single, independent woman, it’s so easy to allow your career to occupy most of your time. I take pride in the fact that I have the ability to make my career my top priority. However, my family constantly reminds me that work is not all there is to living a fulfilling life. I don’t know what I’d do without their presence in my life.
I live in Long Beach, while most of my family is in the Oceanside/ San Diego area. It’s about an hour-and-a-half drive, but making the trek down often is easier said than done. With five other siblings (four brothers and a sister), I admit it gets a little more difficult — especially as we grow older and branch out from the home nest — to keep in contact with everyone.
Here are five tips I’ve practiced to maintain a close-knit relationship with family members. I hope they will prove beneficial to you, as well.
1.) Share a meal together. Nowadays, people are so self-absorbed that communication is almost non-existent among family members. Sitting around the dinner table shouldn’t be reserved for the holiday season alone. Use that time listen to and learn what’s new in each person’s life.
2.) Send an e-mail, make a quick call, forward a text message. There’s nothing like checking your inbox and seeing an unexpected item from your mom or brother. As you go throughout the day and you think about your family members, let them know they’re on your mind. Forward them a funny story, joke or video clip. Drop them a line to say, “What’s up?” Call just to say, “Hey” or “I love you.” It only takes a few seconds and certainly will make his or her day.
3.) Involve each other in the small things (Go to the movies, play board games, run errands, etc.). Just being around siblings or parents can bring up old memories and are a great opportunity to create new ones.
4.) Dust off those old photo albums. Reminisce. Revel in how much you’ve matured throughout the years. Ask about what it was like before you were born or when you were a little tot. Expand your knowledge of your family’s history.
5.) Let loose and let the good times roll. Generally, I’m an introverted individual, but when I’m back at my parents’ house, I’m a totally different person. I’m energized — downright crazy, sometimes. Taking a break from being so serious all the time — I’ve found — is the best medicine for lessening anxiety (career-related or otherwise). It will keep you grounded, too. So be silly. Dance a jig. Sing a song.
Ashley M. Ratcliff currently is city editor at the Rancho Palos Verdes-based Palos Verdes Peninsula News. She may be reached via e-mail at ashleymratcliff@yahoo.com.
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