Balancing Sl and Rl

I’ve been in second life for sixteen months and now find it difficult to balance my real and second lives. Back when I first came here, I had time on my hands and along with the fascination of creating within second life; I ended up devoting a lot of my time to my creations in second life. I started a number of businesses, built many buildings and it wasn’t unusual for me to spend 12 hours a day in second life. But I loved doing what I did here and it was therapeutic for me as well.

A few months ago, real life came calling. I am now at the end of my college life and in the process of finding a job. This will involve a move to a new city and all the distractions that come along with it. Add to that family and friends who I need to spend time with and a few other activities I’m involved with and it creates a schedule that is difficult at times.

A couple months ago I came up with a second life schedule for myself, limiting my time on weekdays to 5-8PM and scheduling tasks I need to perform on particular days. That has worked well as at least required things get done. Lately however I find that my time on second life is reducing. I tend to log on, get my tasks done, and then log off. Weekends I tend to spend more time here, but log on and off frequently.

So now the dilemma. What to do about my time in world and out? I know I can’t spend as much time here as I used to. If I reduce my tasks, I don’t need to spend as much time here. A lot of the tasks I perform are things that I can’t let someone else do, simply because of permissions and ownership. Also, I don’t think as many people are committed to some sort of second life career and take it as seriously. The staff I have are wonderful and committed to our success, but like I said, I can only give them so much and what I have given them has reduced my load considerably.

I used to spend a lot of time designing clothes and released a new outfit everyday. That part I’m changing simply because I can’t commit to making clothes as frequently. I still love designing but will do it as I have spare time and don’t have to keep to a schedule. Therefore I will no longer release new outfits daily and in fact will not have a schedule for releasing clothing. I’ll release them as I create them. I also built a new store to house A Fashion Statement and So Intimate. It’ll hold less clothing overall and the current inventory is on sale and I’ll remove it this weekend. It’ll still be available on slx.

I closed Fashion Factory, as it wasn’t drawing a lot of business. The land is for sale. I’ll do the same with Trash and Treasure. Neither business was very successful and I might as well sell the land or find another use for it. Not having to keep these two stores stocked will also free up some of my time.

Gia’s Fashion Cabaret is a whole lot of fun on Wednesdays and I do like doing my part to support the live music scene in second life. Trella has been more than a great help with planning and running things at Gia’s. I plan on letting her take more control of it, well I guess she has to a point. If I can keep myself out of running Gia’s, that will also free up some time.

The same goes for Thump Magazine. I think it’s a great idea and again supports the live music scene. It’s also something that I don’t have to keep a rigid schedule to and if I could find someone to be a reporter for me, the two of us could keep up with reviews. Plus I do need to be doing something here.

Messy Bedroom oh Messy Bedroom. Probably my most successful business overall. It requires so little time now and it keeps performing. I spent a lot of time at first creating furniture, but now it’s fully stocked and only when I feel in a creative mood do I make something to add. Messy Bedroom stays as is.

Hmmm. I think I’ve got this all worked out now. LOL. Here’s my recap and an estimate of time.

A Fashion Statement and So Intimate: new store, new line of clothes is ready. New outfits only as I feel inclined. Time involved would be inviting group members. Therefore probably only an hour or so each week.

Gia’s Fashion Cabaret: Let Trella run it and give her a budget. I’ll still probably dabble a bit and want to help if I have time so probably again an hour a week plus two hours on Wednesday to attend the events.

Thump Magazine: Find someone to do some reviews, but with or without someone would only require a couple hours a week at most.

Messy Bedroom: Leave it alone Jenny, it works fine. No time required.

Aside from that, I still like to run around and check on the businesses and come up with ideas. Probably a couple hours a week. There you have it. I’ve cut down my required time on second life to eight hours a week. Not bad. I’ll revamp my schedule and see if I come close to that.

Thanks for listening

Jenny