A good “work-life balance” is a term thrown around a lot when you begin to gain more freedom in your education, but what does it actually mean? For me, it’s about having a sustainable lifestyle. One that allows you to achieve your daily goals whilst also finding time to unwind, pursue personal interests, and relax. It can look different for a lot of people. Some like to work hard but party harder. Others prefer to take a calmer, measured approach to both. Either way, a good work-life balance is essential for your long-term success and health in your career. Here are some tips I’ve picked up that may help you find a balance that suits you!
Set Boundaries
Maintaining a work-life balance is much easier before starting university or joining the workforce because there’s a clear separation between work and home life. When the school bell rang, you could leave those thoughts behind and return home with a relaxed mindset, aside from a bit of homework, as home was a place for unwinding. However, once you step into the world beyond school, the line between work and relaxation blurs. It’s easy to fall into the trap of working endlessly or feeling like you’re never doing enough. Personally, I’ve experienced my work window expanding from a few hours after school to consuming the entire day. The lesson I’ve learned is the importance of setting boundaries and knowing when to stop working. There needs to be a designated point in the day when you close your laptop, set work aside, and simply relax, instead of leaving it open on your desk, tempting you to do just a bit more.
Stay Organized
The challenge of maintaining a healthy work-life balance often stems from struggling to allocate time efficiently and the need to prioritise tasks. My solution to this is to give yourself 25 hours in the day. Now, I’m not suggesting we magically keep the sun in the sky for another hour, but rather, I want to emphasise the importance of organisation and how much time it can save you. When your day lacks structure, activities like going to the gym become ambiguous, leading to wasted time in planning and procrastination. Now, I’m not saying to live your life by the hour but by setting specific times for activities and planning ahead, such as having a set routine for the gym or planning meals in advance, you can reclaim lost time and make each day feel more productive. Almost as if you have 25 hours in the day.
Cut yourself some slack
My final point revolves around mindset, an equally crucial aspect in establishing a healthy, sustainable lifestyle. Life will throw curveballs at you, no matter how organized you may be or how well you’ve set boundaries. Whether it’s feeling unwell or facing family issues, there will be times that you inevitably fall behind schedule. The danger lies in attempting to overcompensate for lost time. It’s far too easy to exhaust yourself trying to catch up, throwing your work-life balance in the bin. The key to living sustainably is acknowledging that setbacks are inevitable and accepting them. No one’s journey is without obstacles, so it’s important not to be too hard on yourself if you temporarily veer off course.
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