Budget in the Air!

Then the proposed budget gets published and it’s GO time. For the month of May, the Finance Department takes center stage with your City Council or governing board. There are multiple presentations to be prepared and a barrage of citizen and Council questions to be answered. And always that one “out of left field” request that threatens to transform your budget from balanced to a hot mess. Now throw all of that into a contentious election year. It’s a pressure cooker, and that place in the spotlight is not a comfort zone for many finance folks.

And let’s not forget all the other responsibilities we need to manage outside of work at this time of year. Weddings, graduations, the Memorial Day camping trip that will result in ten loads of laundry, and dozens of “can’t miss” end of the year school events. If you’re like me, you feel the guilt start to weigh on you during those late nights at work while your partner shoulders more of the load at home. Or you can’t fall asleep after that budget study session where you wish you would have answered the Mayor’s question differently.

All that being said, it’s not a coincidence to me that May is Mental Health Awareness Month. And what better time is there than budget season to remind ourselves of the importance of caring for our own mental health along with that of our friends, colleagues, and loved ones. I’ll admit I’m not immune to the stress of this time of year, but here are a few things I try to do regularly to decompress:

• Take a walk: For me, regular workouts are the first thing to go out the window when life gets overwhelming, but I can almost always find time to walk. Grab a friendly coworker for a brisk walk to the nearest coffee spot, or take your dog for a stroll around the block. Research has shown that no matter what your pace, walking promotes the release of endorphins that stimulate relaxation and improve our mood.
• Find your happy place: Whether it’s an hour a week or a few minutes a day, go to that place or do that thing that brings you joy. Lately for me, it’s spending 15 minutes working in my garden and enjoying the literal fruits of my labor. Perhaps it’s cooking your favorite meal, or attending that yoga class, or even that favorite episode of trashy TV. Give yourself that little piece of happiness – you deserve it.
• Plan a vacation: There’s no better time to get away than after the chaos of budget season and before the chaos of audit season. I don’t know about you, but I enjoy the planning and anticipation of a trip almost as much as the trip itself. It doesn’t need to be a weeks long jet setting adventure – just find yourself a change of scenery for any period of time and get yourself there.
• Practice gratitude: This is one gift that COVID-19 has given me in spades. Every time I get annoyed about a Council meeting that won’t end or another school event that conflicts with work, I think back to the Spring of 2020 when there were no events to look forward to and I sat behind a computer screen at a virtual meeting worried that we wouldn’t have the budget to keep all my colleagues employed. 2022 isn’t perfect, but I find myself filled with gratitude for many things that I once took for granted. What are you grateful for?
• Ask for help: This one is not as easy for me, but sometimes you have to admit that you just can’t do everything on your own. Ask that rising star at the office for help on a project or reach out to another parent at school to give your kid a ride home. Call a loved one or friend who will let you vent for 15 minutes with no judgement. And when those things aren’t helping, don’t be afraid to utilize your organization’s employee assistance program or seek the support of a trained therapist.

It’s never easy to focus on yourself when it feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, but always remember that caring for ourselves ultimately helps us do a better job of caring for others. And make sure to pass that reminder along to your team members that are feeling the stress along with you at this time of year.

I wish you all good mental health and a successful budget season, with enough time left over to relish the joys of Spring and the upcoming Summer.