Work-life balance, that delicate state of equilibrium between the demands of one’s career and one’s personal life, has always been a little tricky for me. But since the birth of my little girl I feel I have lost the work-life balance battle completely. Add COVID’s legacy of working from home and longer hours, and work-life balance seems like a far off dream. Until recently I also used to roll my eyes when parents spoke of parent-guilt, but lately I have that gnawing feeling that I am just not present enough in my daughter’s life. All these emotions got me wondering whether work-life balance is at all possible? So I set out on a bit of a quest to answer this question. Here is what I learnt.
Accept that there is no such thing
The most important thing I learnt is that the ‘perfect’ work-life balance is not possible. There will be times you will have to focus more on work, while other times you might have more time and energy to spend time with loved ones and to pursue your hobbies. I read somewhere (and I am making these words my motto) that balance is achieved over time, not each day. It seems the key to finding balance is constantly assessing what needs to be done today and try to do it as best possible. I think the sooner we realize, and accept, that there is no such thing as a perfect equilibrium between work and life, the happier and healthier we will be. It’s ok not to have all the balls up in the air all the time.
Having a job that makes you happy
Having a job that makes you happy will definitely help in the quest for a healthy work-life balance. If you have a job you hate no amount of balance will make you happy. If at all possible find a job that you find fulfilling and meaningful.
Health first
Make your physical, emotional and mental health a priority. Prioritizing your health doesn’t have to consist of radical or extreme activities. It can be as simple as making time for daily meditation or exercise. But do something that makes you feel healthier and happier.
Making time for yourself and loved ones
Making time for yourself and your loved ones requires deliberate action and planning. Try to prioritize activities and hobbies that make you happy by diarizing them. If you don’t learn to deliberately plan for personal time, you will never have time to do other things outside work. I have to keep reminding myself that no matter how hectic my schedule is, I ultimately have control over my time.
One of my biggest challenges, with regards to a work-life balance, is making time for family and friends. I have recently realized that if I don’t block out time on my calendar for dates with loved ones, it won’t happen. It feels weird having to plan one-on-one time with the people I live with, but it seems it is the only way to ensure that I spend quality time with them.
Unplug
Don’t be afraid to unplug from time to time. At first it might seem a little daunting cutting ties with the outside world, but a digital detox allows us to recover from the stress that other’s expectations (and our own) cause. Unplugging also creates a space for creative thoughts and ideas to emerge. So switch off, grab a book or spend some time in your garden.
Take a vacation
Sometimes the only way to really unplug is by taking a vacation and shutting work out completely. Whether the vacation comes in the form of a one-day staycation or a two-week trip to the bushveld, it is crucial to take time off to recharge physically, mentally and emotionally.
Awareness
One of the best pieces of advice I found is identifying when you are most productive at work and block that time out for your most important work-related activities. Deliberately structuring your day can increase your productivity at work, which in turn can free more time to relax outside of work. Also try to avoid checking emails and your phone every few minutes, as those are time-wasters that derail your attention and productivity.
Set boundaries and keep them
This is a challenging, but important one. Setting boundaries and work hours are important to avoid burnout. According to those in the know, we should avoid thinking about work or answering business emails after hours. As well as consider having a separate computer or telephone for work that can be shut off when you clock out. If that isn’t possible consider using separate browsers, emails or filters for your work and personal platforms.
Ultimately I guess one has to learn to say ‘no’. It is important to decide on working hours and try to stick to them as much of possible. This means no answering work-related emails late at night, over weekends or during vacations. It also seems communication is important. We should be notifying colleagues and managers of our boundaries with regards to work and accessibility. I am going to be honest. I am struggling with this. It’s going to take me some time to implement this advice in my life.
I think the the goal is try to implement a few (not all 8) of these tips into your life. What I have come to realize in the last few weeks is there is no perfect balance and it’s ok. Every time you feel a little more balanced remember it’s a win. and celebrate it!
xxx
