Work-Life Balance and Setting Aside Time to Unwind

Can you achieve work-life balance? How do you define it? Whether you have work-life balance and whether you view clear boundaries between the two depends on how much you love your job and how much time you devote to it. Some days, your job eats up so much of your day that you just want to unwind and forget about life’s demands. How do you clear your mind and unwind?

Remote work has made it easier to blend home and work life into one room. Emails and various apps have made it easier to blur the lines between work and personal time. You can even answer work messages on weekends and when you’re on vacation.

The constant plug-in to workplace communication and work tasks can be exhausting. People need a break from work to recharge and return to their tasks with fresh eyes. But is it bad to blend work and home life together?

Step Away from the Office Where You Live

Some people love their career enough that working is as enjoyable as watching Netflix or playing video games. I’ve met some of these people (so they do exist).  

If you enjoy your work as much as a hobby, then working the extra hours is not that much different from downtime. I’ve met a graphic designer who designs additional graphics for his client because it’s something he enjoys doing. I’ve also met professional writers who switch from writing non-fiction during the day to writing fiction as a hobby at night. Owners of small businesses go to networking breakfasts and dinners before or after business hours to build a support network.

Step Into a World Without Demands

After a long, demanding day, it’s nice to just forget about everything. You can spend time with friends and family and do nothing else but enjoy your time together. You can finally watch the next episode of your favorite TV show, cook yourself a nice meal, or read a book.

You can also use your downtime to learn something new for personal interest or for something related to work. Everyone should always be learning new things, whether it is a new hobby, skill, or tips on personal growth. People challenge themselves with fitness goals, reading goals, or social goals. 

Key Takeaways

If you enjoy what you do, perhaps spending a lot of time on a job or business is no different than investing time and energy in a hobby. With this perspective, would work-life balance be “balanced”?

I certainly like to unwind after a demanding day by doing a range of activities. Sometimes, I read, watch a show, or socialize. On other days, I unwind by studying topics related to building my work skills. 

What are your thoughts on work-life balance if you have a job or career that you love?