When we have balance in our lives, everything feels aligned and connected every day, however in today’s fast paced society that sense of harmony can be difficult to achieve.
Finding that perfect work-life balance is something that we inherently all seem to struggle with at some point in our lives. Does the perfect work-life balance even exist? Perhaps not. It’s so hard to strike that happy equilibrium that makes you feel fulfilled at work without killing yourself and trying to achieve greatness, but at the same time having a happy home life too.
Balance in work and life means something different to everyone and for people in the real world who can’t afford a brigade of nannies, cleaners, and other hired help, it’s probably never going to happen. Given my past failings at trying to inject some work-life balance into my own life, maybe I’m the wrong person to be writing about this topic. However, it’s something that I’m always conscious of and worrying about and there are some things that help me feel like I’m got some grasp of a kind of work-life balance in my life.
Set Yourself Some Boundaries
Sometimes it’s hard to separate your work and home life, especially when you work from home or occasionally have to take your work home with you. This is something that I really struggle with especially with the social media aspect of my work. It’s definitely a work in progress for me, but setting some boundaries for work time and family time really helps to instill some work-life balance into my everyday. I have to constantly remind myself of my boundaries, hopefully, one day it will come more naturally to me.
Remember to Take a Proper Lunch Break
As a freelancer and having my office at home, it means that I often fall into the trap of having my lunch at my desk and trying to get some work in at the same time. However, we all need a break and becoming intentional about it is very important to achieve some sort of work/life balance. A proper lunch break, which could involve a walk or a coffee date refreshes your brain and energy levels, to start again for when you get back to your desk.
Make Your To-Do List Doable
I’m so guilty of piling up my to-do list with lots of tasks and look forward to a really productive day, then fast come to realise that I’ve taken too much on and feel like a failure for not completing them. Give yourself permission to not get things done and don’t put too many things on your to-do list for one day. Prioritise tasks and save things for tomorrow’s to-do list so you don’t put too much pressure on yourself.
Swap ‘Yes’ For ‘No’
This one comes up a lot when it comes to finding balance and self care. If you’re feeling unbalanced, it’s most probable that you’re taking too much on at work. Saying ‘no’ puts you back in control and you will have the energy to put 100% into your jobs, rather than spreading your energy too thinly across too many tasks.
Make Time For You
Looking after your emotional health is just as important as your work. Throughout the month schedule in some fun things that allow you to socialise with friends and family, do the things that you love or simply do nothing at all. By having regular activities scheduled in your planner you can the fit work around your social life, rather than making your social life fit around work. This way you will become more focused on your work because you know that you’ve got some fun events to look forward to.
What great tips! Pinning this one!
These are very good advises for people who work from home. Having lunch at a separate table and making sure that you don’t work non stop are very important elements into a healthy work-private life balance.
Great post! Where I used to work, I would eat my lunch at my desk and surf the internet. I had to stop doing it though as people would come over and give me work or talk about work! It’s good to get away from your station and rest your eyes too.
This is something I struggle with and I’m not sure if I will ever get right. I do tend to always overwork myself and I need to be better at setting boundaries and sticking to them. As you say, I’m not sure anyone ever gets it exactly right, but we have to try to find the right balance for ourselves x
Great tips it can be so hard to get the balance right
I sometimes, okay scratch that often struggle to strike a balance between work and life. But setting boundaries is a very good way of controlling and mediating balance x
I need to do this, swapping yes for no…making my to do list realistic and having a break away during lunch :)x
Taking a proper lunch break is something I always struggle with, but when I do, I feel so much better for it! x
Nice one Jemma, getting the right balance is crucial. I’m still trying and I’ve been trying for years but I’m sure I’ll get there!
Work life balance is so important but I think so many people aren’t managing it. I always make sure I get my full lunch break in so I don’t get overworked.
I’ve loved your tips because I really struggle with giving myself some me time. I’ve been scheduling time for myself into my calendar on my phone in the same way that I would with work meetings and its actually helped me to be more productive and have that dedicated me time xxx
I need these tips right now as I am approaching uni deadlines and exams!
Such great tips here – I really REALLY need to sort this out!
I set to-do lists all the time and find them so hard to achieve!
My problem is, I never take a proper lunch break! Instead of thinking about me i wonder abut others, and how busy the office is. What i need to do is chill and take it easy and get some me time in!
Hi Jemma! Happy to have found your blog! I love the layout, the style the content…everything! I’ve read some of your posts and I can’t wait to read more! Looking forward to following you ?
Lisa | http://www.fromdreamtoplan.net/
Great list. This is something I’ve always found challenging to juggle, but I think I’m getting better at it in the last few years. I do find it’s something that needs re-addressing every few months to keep on top of.
Great post lovely! I’m so guilty of not giving myself enough downtime around the full time job and blogging. And I often don’t give myself my full lunch break because I don’t want my mind to switch off. ? xx