Many of our celebrations have been replaced by responsibilities. Here’s how to combat burnout.
In recent months, how often have you:
Filled the dishwasher
Bathed the kids
Joined an unproductive Zoom meeting
Done laundry multiple times
Prepared dinner
The list is endless. While we’ve adapted to new routines during COVID, we’ve also fallen into monotonous patterns.
Why is that? We lack celebrations like birthday parties and graduations to brighten our calendars. There are no vacations or even simple office gatherings over cake. It feels like milestones and joy have been stripped from our lives, replaced by increased responsibilities and adulting. And adulting is tough. This is precisely what our podcast guest, Katina Mountanos, understands. As a mindset coach and author of 'On Adulting: How Millennials (And Any Human, Really) Can Work Less, Live More, And Bend The Rules For Good,' she offers insights into managing these challenges.
Katina explains that adulting is about defining your identity and making choices that resonate with your values, rather than conforming to societal expectations. “Stepping into adulthood means defining your life on your terms and aligning choices with who you are and where you want to be,” she states.
As many of us work remotely, often from the couch, it’s easy to feel stuck. Katina provides strategies to escape the repetitive cycle of work, gym, and sleep without sacrificing productivity. She also emphasizes the importance of planning to ensure that spontaneity doesn’t lead to missed opportunities for joy: “Studies show that when we schedule fun activities, we perceive them as 30% more enjoyable than spontaneous ones.”
Maintaining our sense of self during tough times is crucial. Katina highlights that knowing who we are is essential when life doesn't go as planned. She discusses perspective shifts that can help navigate stress.
In the Mailbag segment, we tackle a listener’s question about reinvesting after stock market losses and clarify if HSA contributions count towards the recommended 15% retirement savings. We also discuss job interview follow-up etiquette during COVID, especially regarding thank-you notes.
Transcript
Katina Mountanos: (00:00)
I believed that being more grounded meant abandoning my planner for spontaneity. However, studies show that planning fun activities makes them feel 30% more enjoyable.
Jean Chatzky: (00:32)
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Jean Chatzky: (00:52)
Hi, everyone. It’s Jean Chatzky. How many times recently have you loaded the dishwasher, given the kids a bath, or joined a fruitless Zoom meeting? We’ve all developed new COVID routines, but they can feel like ruts. We lack celebrations, and those milestones have been replaced with adulting tasks. Today’s guest, Katina Mountanos, can relate. She started her career in finance but sought a path aligned with her values. Now, she helps others on their journeys.
Katina Mountanos: (02:43)
Thanks for having me.
Jean Chatzky: (02:43)
I’m excited to discuss this topic. It’s relevant for everyone. What inspired your focus on adulting?
Katina Mountanos: (03:04)
I resonate with your overview of today’s life. Starting in finance, I quickly realized that certain career paths didn’t match my values. My journey began there, and I now aim to help others find their own values.
Jean Chatzky: (03:53)
How do you define adulting?
Katina Mountanos: (03:56)
Adulting means making conscious decisions rather than following external pressures. It’s about identifying your true self and making choices that reflect that identity.
Jean Chatzky: (04:42)
Has the pandemic intensified this hamster wheel effect?
Katina Mountanos: (05:02)
Absolutely. Working from home has made us confront aspects of our identity we might have ignored.
Jean Chatzky: (05:26)
Can you give an example?
Katina Mountanos: (05:26)
Being at home has made us confront emotions we often ignore. As we tackle chores, we begin to reflect on how they impact us and how to find joy amidst them.
Jean Chatzky: (06:34)
Your book offers formulas for escaping this cycle. Can you explain?
Katina Mountanos: (06:52)
The book outlines big-picture strategies and practical changes. We need to clarify our values and identify how various life components fit in, all while incorporating fun activities into our routines.
Jean Chatzky: (08:01)
What inspired your personal journey?
Katina Mountanos: (08:28)
Reflecting on my values led me to create a personal north star statement, which anchors my efforts. It’s a helpful practice for anyone looking to clarify their purpose.
Jean Chatzky: (09:24)
Can you provide a template for that statement?
Katina Mountanos: (09:36)
My statement is: I inspire millennials to find their passion so they can lead happier lives.
Jean Chatzky: (09:40)
That’s a great framework.
Katina Mountanos: (10:36)
Adulting is about finding balance. We must slow down while also injecting joy into our lives. Small changes can lead to meaningful improvements.
Katina Mountanos: (12:32)
For instance, turning your phone to airplane mode at night helps to start your day calmly, rather than in a reactive state.
Jean Chatzky: (12:42)
I find that starting my day with exercise sets the tone for a better day.
Katina Mountanos: (12:42)
Absolutely. Research shows that starting your day positively boosts productivity.
Katina Mountanos: (14:17)
Scheduling fun activities can enhance enjoyment compared to spontaneous ones. It’s a hopeful finding for those overwhelmed by obligations.
Jean Chatzky: (14:17)
I’m grateful to know that joy can be scheduled!
Katina Mountanos: (16:01)
Balancing work and life responsibilities is key, especially for millennials managing student debt. It’s about reframing our mindset towards these challenges.
Katina Mountanos: (16:01)
Recognizing that responsibilities can bring fulfillment helps shift our approach.
Katina Mountanos: (18:31)
Knowing who we are when plans fall through is vital. It’s about grounding ourselves in our values.
Katina Mountanos: (18:31)
Keeping a time log can illuminate how we spend our time and where we find joy.
Jean Chatzky: (19:53)
How can we realistically embrace our daydreams?
Katina Mountanos: (20:17)
Daydreaming involves recognizing our desires and finding ways to incorporate them into our lives.
Jean Chatzky: (21:47)
Great advice, Katina. Your insights are invaluable. Where can we find more about your work?
Katina Mountanos: (22:02)
You can follow me on social media or visit OnAdulting.com.
Jean Chatzky: (22:24)
Thanks for joining us!
Jean Chatzky: (22:35)
Now, let’s move to the Mailbag segment.
Jean Chatzky: (22:35)
Let’s dive into the first question from our community.
Jean Chatzky: (27:29)
A listener writes about her stock market losses and seeks advice on reinvesting. It’s crucial to cut yourself some slack; you're ahead of many in your financial journey.
Jean Chatzky: (30:55)
Embrace the lessons learned during market downturns; they will serve you well in the future.
Jean Chatzky: (37:04)
A question from Nancy highlights her search for retirement options after a layoff. You can contribute to an IRA or even a spousal IRA if you have a spouse with income.
Jean Chatzky: (39:31)
If you're eligible, consider a SEP IRA to maximize your contributions.
Jean Chatzky: (41:02)
Join our ambassador program at HerMoney.com to help spread the word. Your friends will benefit too.
Jean Chatzky: (41:44)
Leave us a review and let us know what you think.
Jean Chatzky: (41:44)
Thank you for your support!
In today’s Thrive, we discuss job interview follow-up etiquette during COVID. After a Zoom interview, a thank-you email is appropriate since handwritten notes may be impractical. Your email should express gratitude, share something learned about the role, and offer to answer further questions.
Thank you for joining us today! We appreciate Katina Mountanos for sharing her strategies to break free from routine while handling life’s demands. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
