There’s no doubt about it – adulting is not easy. The constant juggle of work, life admin, family time and meeting all of our responsibilities head on is real! Here are some ways to make sure that you keep your work-life balance in check, while you not only make time for relaxation but find time to give back to help others.
Tip 1: Write up a summary of your activities
We often draw a clear line between our work and home life but this does not really say much about our activities. Take some time to organise ‘what you do’ into categories. Think of family, friends, studying, household, volunteer work, sports, hobbies, etc.
When you have created an overview, consider which of these areas to which you would like to give more time and attention, as well as a practical first step you can take to make this happen. Ask yourself some ‘what you need and want’ questions. Do you want to spend more time in nature? Then join a hiking club or plan a camping trip.
Your next steps are all about consciously making time for the things that feed your soul.
Tip 2: Give conscious attention to your free time
Free time is often seen as the time outside of work but this is actually inaccurate. For the simple reason that when you are not working, there are other activities that do not technically feel like free time, such as doing laundry or caring for a family member.
See your free time as the time in which you do the things that you enjoy, that are important to you and which ultimately energise you.
Pinpoint what you are doing in your spare time. Do you mainly keep busy with activities that ‘numb’ you or things that give you energy? Try to schedule some time in each week to do something you really enjoy.
Tip 3: Set limits on the number of hours you work
It is easy for work to consume your days, physically, intellectually and emotionally. Yet we all keep going because earning a living in our pandemic economies is one of the hardest things to get right. But if we pause for just a second, we need to realise that we have to keep our batteries charged and recharged.
The reality is that working too hard leads to exhaustion and ultimately, less efficiency on your part. To avoid this, it is important not to take your amount of work as a starting point when determining your work schedule, but rather your available time. The activities that do not fit within this time must simply be postponed to another time, and these limits must be discussed with your employer.
This is certainly easier said than done but you have to start somewhere.
Tip 4: Time management can be helpful for home management
If you are continually confronted with an endless stream of chores to do at home, apply the 45 minute rule. Set a timer and get started on whatever needs to be done, whether its ironing, cleaning or gardening. You will be far less distracted and much more efficient when you know that that is your work period, and when the time is up, stop. What you have not finished can wait for another day.
Tip 5: Plan beyond today but live in the here and now
Train your mind to be in the moment. Pay attention to what you are doing at this moment and do not think about everything that you have to do afterwards.
For example, if you are having a nice evening at home, step away from your laptop and do not open it again until the next morning. If you remember something critically important while catching your favourite show or cooking dinner, jot it down quickly on your to-do list for the next day.
Practicing meditation and mindfulness helps to calm your mind and makes your now the best moment it can be!
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