Being able to leave the office on time was a sign of a healthy work-life balance. Others wanted to meet up with friends or visit the gym during their lunch break, while some wanted to spend more time with their kids. Companies increasingly allow employees to work from home one or more weekly to attract new talent.
The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdowns have changed how people manage their work and personal lives. Thousands of office workers are attempting to switch to working full-time from home, and many are seeing how easily the lines between work and family life may blur. While the daily commute has disappeared, other challenges have appeared, such as the inclination for work hours to go late into the night.
1. Accept that there is no “ideal” work-life balance
You probably picture yourself having a productive day at work and leaving early to spend the remainder of the day with friends and family when you hear the phrase “work-life balance.” Although it can seem like the ideal circumstance, this is not always possible.
Instead of aiming for perfection, try to stick to a reasonable timeline. You could be more focused on your work on certain days and freer to pursue interests or spend time with loved ones on other days. Balance is something you develop over time, not every day.
2. Look for a job you like
While having a job is a societal must, your occupation shouldn’t be restrictive. Simply said, you won’t be happy if you despise what you do. While you don’t have to like every aspect of your job, it should be fascinating enough to make you look forward to going to work every day.
3. Demand adaptability
Discussions that are open and sincere about your needs and those of your company and team might result in practical solutions.
Flextime, a shorter weekly schedule, work sharing, and other creative options are a few examples of this.
4. Put your health first
Your whole physical, emotional, and mental health should be your first focus. Schedule those visits if you experience anxiety or sadness and think therapy may help you, even if it means skipping your evening spin class or leaving work early. If you suffer from a chronic illness, don’t be reluctant to take sick days. Overworking yourself prevents improvement and may need you to take additional days off in the future.
5. Show yourself kindness
Perfectionism is one of the most important strategies for creating a sense of work-life balance.
Success in school and the early stages of one’s career may have been aided by perfectionism. But with time, the strain it causes increases. The demands on our systems and mental resources increase as our responsibilities expand.
It is important to keep in mind that life is not always simple. Everyone has difficulties, so you won’t always do things “right.” By accepting this fact, you may change your viewpoint and approach to life and work to be more empathetic and open to learning and growth. By doing this, you may be able to keep your equilibrium.
