Blogger: Clayton Farris

As I progress through my college education, I find myself in a bit of a catch-22; I feel a stronger NEED to partake in my favorite leisure activities, but I have less time to do so. We all have a few passions that we go to when we need to relax and take our mind off of life’s responsibilities. I enjoy watching Rangers baseball, taking my pup to the dog park, and golfing with my buddies (no one said you had to be good for it to be fun). Soon enough, I will graduate and start my career. I know this will leave me with even less free time than I have now.

At first, this realization scared me. I often hear stories of young professionals who lose sight of their outside-of-work passions. Then, by the time they realize they are “workaholics,” 10+ years have passed, and they struggle to regain that passion. I believe individuals, including myself, have to make the conscious decision to make time for the things they love before they enter the workforce. I know this is one of those “easier said than done” situations, but it can, and should, be done. This does not mean that I will not be dedicated to my career in public accounting; I whole-heartedly will be. I simply strive to find that perfect “work-life balance” that eludes many people.

So grab a couple of friends, and go do what you enjoy soon! Whether it be traveling, boating, knitting, bowling, fishing, swimming, painting, skydiving, horseback riding, volunteering, rock climbing, pumpkin carving, building tree houses, or simply spending time with family…just do it. After all, these are the things that make life memorable. We should never forget that.