The last of the year in our series of interviews where we’ve interviewed regular women who are trying to ‘manage it all’. We spoke to Christine, a professional, married and working full time.
Q. What does a regular day look like for you?
I’m an early riser as the mornings are my favourite part of the day. I generally beat the 5.30am alarm, as I like to give myself at least half an hour to pack the gym bag as well as the work gear before I head out the door. At least 4 mornings a week, you’ll find me at the gym, and on a Saturday Park Run at New Farm. My job is in sponsorship with the Queensland Rugby League, a busy role, particularly during the State of Origin Series. I am guilty of eating ‘al desko’, I like to eat on the run but at the same time scanning all the news and gossip sites. I am blessed to have a wonderful husband that enjoys cooking, so dinner is already sorted by the time I walk through the door.
Q. Do you feel as though you have enough ‘spare time’ in your week for things that you like doing?
Every week is different and it also depends on the time of year (at Christmas who has time for anything!) Generally I would say yes, I have time to indulge in the things I like to do.
Q. How did you come to find that balance?
An early start to the day helps with getting through the ‘to do’ list, there are no distractions as everybody else is sleeping. I am also a big believer of ‘if it’s in the diary, it’s important’. My diary is colour coded by category, work, personal and to-do.
Q. Name three things you can’t live without?
My husband Peter, he is everything. My family probably would have said my mobile phone, I do suffer from Nomophobia (okay maybe not that bad). Lastly cable TV, I do like to watch a lot of TV.
Q. Do you have any ‘guilty pleasures’ in regards to your time?
My ‘guilty pleasure’ is TV cop shows or American political dramas. My cable box works overtime during the week, capturing all the TV shows I love to watch. Then on a Sunday afternoon it’s time to turn the phone off, put my feet up, and catch up on the week that was.
Q. Do you have any help around the house? If so, how has having them changed your lifestyle for the better?
A few years back I struggled with a Christmas present idea for my husband (who is time poor) so I hired a gardener who now does a yard tidy every 3 weeks. As it is only the two of us, we have a cleaner that takes care of the bathrooms, oven (who likes cleaning the oven) and a general tidy once a month. Then there is Adele who is only a phone call away when I need a handyman or something sorted.
Q. What next big exciting event is on your ‘list’?
The next big event for me is 2016, it’s a new year, with new beginnings. There is a holiday to plan but there are so many destinations we just can’t chose one, I’m thinking Holland and Rome. A New Year wouldn’t be the same without a personal goal, so training will again commence in February for whatever half marathon my running buddy tells me we’re doing!