"Booked and Busy" sounds cute...until you realize you're tired, overwhelmed, and haven't had a moment to yourself in weeks. At some point, we stopped asking if we're okay and started proving how much we can handle instead. This is true for personal, work, life and just in general. Work-Life balance isn't just about time management. It's about boundaries. And more importantly, it's about choosing yourself without guilt.
As a woman in my 30s, having multiple responsibilities, I've had to get real about what I can and cannot carry. This has been true especially in my personal life. You try to make all of your friends' special events (dinners, birthdays, any and everything in between). This can cause burnout! Work wise, bringing your work home, accessing and checking emails when you are supposed to be resetting for the next day. This can cause burnout! At some point in your life, you realize that if you don't protect your time, your energy and your peace....no one else will do it for you.
One of the most important things I did was create a clear boundary between work and my personal life, physically and mentally.
When I am done work. My work phone? Stays in the car or is somewhere out of reach. Out of sight, out of mind (sometimes, it isn't always that simple).
My work email? Not on my personal phone either. I would say who is actually checking their emails after work, but the number of emails I receive that were sent the NIGHT before is insane (come on y'all it can wait).
Unless you're in a life-or-death field...it most certainly can wait.
We've normalized urgency that isn't actually urgent. And all it does is keep you mentally clocked in (FOR FREE!), even when your body is home.
You deserve to log off (In real life).
The reality is, some of us don't just leave work and relax, we leave work and go home to do more work (this is true if you have a part
time job, kids, pets, etc.).
So, balance doesn't just magically happen. You have to create it on purpose.
That looks like being intentional with your time. Protecting small moments of peace. And not allowing every hour of your day to be consumed by responsibilities (This may not be relative to those who have children, but you deserve moments of peace too!). But if your entire life is work...when exactly do you get to live?
This next part is something that I care about and has really helped me express my creativity, meet new people and have new experiences.
You have to keep your hobbies.
Not everything you do should be about productivity. You need things that bring you joy just because they do.
Whether it's working out, gardening, going for walks, yoga, journaling, reading, doing puzzles, cooking, crafting, DIY projects, scrapbooking, or even something as random as horseback riding. Whatever makes you feel like you...keep doing that.
Having hobbies aren't a waste of time, they're how you reconnect with yourself.
Another thing that helps? Having a simple routine when you come home.
Nothing extreme. Just grounding habits.
Take a shower. Do your skincare. Tidy up a little. Clean as you go so things don't pile up (because that could be overwhelming and cause stress too). These daily little rituals are reminders that you are taking time for you.
I say all of this to say.... work is not that deep.
Yes, be responsible. Yes, do your job well. But try not to center your entire life around it. It will be there tomorrow. You don't have to sacrifice your peace to prove your dedication. Because at the end of the day, your job will replace you.
But your life? Your mental health? Your physical health? Your time? That's yours. And you don't get it back.
Work life balance isn't about having everything split down the middle. It's about checking in with yourself and seeing exactly where you are mentally and physically.
I challenge you to set the boundary. Turn the phone off. Go outside. Pick up your hobby again. Start a new one. Clean your space and take your time back.
The goal isn't just to work and survive. The goal is to live...and actually enjoy your life while doing it.
*I am linking a book that really helped me create healthy routines*
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