Work-life balance has become a hot topic these past few years, especially as people continue to work from home in this new normal. It's also become quite the buzzword that business owners and recruiters like to throw around to entice job seekers.
But what does work-life balance actually mean? What does it look like?
As the owner of my own career coaching and interior design businesses, these are two questions that I've been asking myself lately. If I'm being honest, my answer changes daily, but I always find myself coming back to these 3 core principles.
My Work-life Balance Isn't Always Equal
Sometimes work-life balance means spending equal amounts of time working and enjoying my personal life. Other times, it means prioritizing long work days so that I can get ahead on my to-do list or cut out early for a long weekend. And then there are days when work-life balance means completely unplugging from work and taking time for myself.
That's what I'm doing this week - yesterday I spent the afternoon in Hood River with a good friend from childhood picking lavender and summer fruits!
Check out the video of the lavender farm below!
My reality is that my work-life balance will always ebb and flow. Sometimes my home, relationships, and hobbies need to take priority, while other times, they need to sit on the back burner while I focus on work. The goal is to not feel extended beyond my means.
The Ideal Work-life Balance Looks Different to Everyone
One of the most important things I've learned about work-life balance is that it looks different for everyone. What works for me might not work for you and vice versa.
For example, I know some people who work better when they have more structure in their day with a 9-5 schedule. They want their weekends and weeknights to be their own, and they feel most productive when work is separate from the rest of their life with the strict 9-5 structure.
On the other hand, some people prefer much more flexibility in their schedules. They like being able to take breaks in the middle of the day to work out or to go run errands while the stores are less crowded. They enjoy taking a day trip in the middle of the week with a friend and love the ability to tackle their work in the evenings.
There's no right or wrong answer here. The key is to figure out what a healthy work-life balance looks like for you.
I Need to Find Fulfillment in Both Aspects of My Life
You'll constantly struggle to develop a healthy work-life balance if you feel unfulfilled in either aspect of your work or personal life. A lack of fulfillment at work will make you feel stuck in a job you hate with no way out. And if you don't find fulfillment in your personal life, work will become an escape rather than a means to support the life you want to live.
I'm a big believer that work should be more than just a paycheck. Your work should make you feel good, challenge you, and help you grow as a person. It should complement your personal life, not take away from it.
If you're struggling to find fulfillment and joy in your work, it might be time to make a change. Life is too short to be in a job that doesn't make you happy, and that's why I'm here to help!
Schedule a career coaching call with me today. Let's work together to get you on the path to finding an exciting new job and developing a work-life balance that works for you.
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