Accepted a promotion at work

[Dan_G_Calgary]

now, normally you'd think that was a good thing. But I am rapidly finding out that the expectation now is on a much higher level of participation in after hour work activiites...

This all sounds like fun, till you factor in trying to maintain a relationship (at least partial) with my wife, as well as exercise and other activities than fish...

What usually happens has happened. Last night I realized I hadn't done any water changes in 2 weeks. I realized this when my sumped rack did its own water change by overflowing from being plugged off on one tank...

So, I powered through what was supposed to be 30 minutes of feeding/quick maintenance, that turned in to 2 hours of catch up, all while my wife was patiently (or not..) waiting for me to start the work out that I had promised I would do with her...

My fish keeping and life balance are coming apart at the seams...

I don't know how you do it Anne Marie, with all the travel that you do. Unfortunately I don't have a "Mr. Fishclub" that I can rely on for this, as my daughter that has helped out is getting busier and busier too..

Seriously contemplating cutting back the # of tanks significantly at this point...

Currently I am booked for after hour work activites as follows (some I may cancel though)
Friday/Sat this week.
Tue/Thur next week.

and a 5 day trip end of October in to November (personal)

I think I am recognizing that my lifestyle has changed, and I need to adapt to it...

anyone else running in to this, and any strategies that you have found that work?

[CACAdmin]

Congrats on the promotion. Hope it comes with a bigger paycheque. But now you are busy, busy, busy from the sounds of it.:swoon:

My only solution when things got too hectic was to cut back on the number of tanks.

[Rabadswompe]

you'll find balance again, Hang in there!!!!

[Pamelajo]

Congrats Dan!
I probably don't have near the tanks you but was finding it to busy with work, being the club secretary and other things. I cut my tanks back by 3, which has helped some. I have also thinned the critters out so tanks are not full to capacity and will forgive me if late doing water changes. This last two weeks has been hectic trying to get some canning done as well as getting ready for our auction.

[GaryofMontreal]

It's a tough balance. There have been times I trimmed right back to basics. I get a lot of enjoyment out of my fishkeeping, and I never want to give it up. You guys may have noticed it's a fascination. But when it becomes a chore because there is no time to do it right, then I've had to adjust.
I really like Geophagus and mid-sized SA cichlids, but if you miss a water change, they sicken. And so, I admire them from afar. With a combination of changing what I keep and avoiding really delicate species, and downsizing, I've gotten though the rough patches while still having fun with this.

[vince0]

Congrats Dan! And here I thought you were getting ready for retirnment (hence the fishroom). Maybe turning off a couple of racks and keeping only stuff that really keeps your attention focused will get you through this busy period.

[blainep]

Been there, still trying to find the balance. Every time I think I've got it figured out things change again.
:rolleyes:

[CACAdmin]

Been there, still trying to find the balance. Every time I think I've got it figured out things change again.
:rolleyes:
That's the problem with life in general. Nothing ever stays the same and there are always the unexpected things that come out of nowhere and demand so much of our time.

[Melody]

Pay a student to do water changes. It's easy to train them. $20 and all my tanks are done. :Smile:

[Kimr]

Congrats on the promotion!!! I am sure you will find balance somehow, we all seem to.

But for me it was cutting back on tanks, I got caught up in the MTS - hubby was patient & knows how I enjoy my tanks, but I soon realized well maybe not so soon, that I couldn't have all the tanks I had, not only b/c of family and work, but mostly b/c of my health.

And since I plan to be around for a while, I knew something had to give and that was my tanks, so I went from 12 to 6. It has certainly helped, the hardest part was deciding which ones to let go.

Give yourself some time to think and put things in perspective, talk it over with the mrs & between you both you will find the answers.

[sass]

Congrats on your promotion.:Smile:
I think as hobbyists we've all come across this, and not only in the aquarium world.
Take your time with your decisions, talk things out with your better half and life will level out.
Many of us drop our number of tanks only to regain them when times are slower.