Work-Life Balance: A Work in Progress

Juggling the demands of work, family, and daily life while also making time for yourself is hard enough without a global pandemic. And now that COVID has redefined so many aspects of life, we are all re-learning how to create this balance.

Those of us who have had the ability to work remotely during the pandemic have experienced the highs and lows that come with this new routine. In many ways, working remotely has opened the door for an improved work-life balance. Less time spent commuting. More time for family and hobbies. Less money spent on Metro fares and dog walkers. Gained efficiency from the ability to throw a load of laundry in the wash during lunch or put dinner in the oven while finishing up work. And yet, burnout is on the rise.

According to a survey conducted by Indeed in February 2021 of 1,500 Americans workers across different experience levels and industries, 52% of respondents reported experiencing burnout, up from 43% pre-pandemic. Insider conducted a similar survey in May 2021, with 86% of respondents feeling at least “a little” burned out, and over 35% feeling “very” or “extremely” burned out. The Indeed survey also revealed that 53% of respondents are now working longer hours and 27% are “unable to unplug from work.”

While the benefits of working from home may have initially eased everyday stressors, a different set of challenges has cropped up in their place. The additional time at home has translated into more hours working and thinking about work. Parents of young children have had to take on additional full-time roles as caretakers and homeschool teachers on top of their longer work days. People living alone, unable to leave their homes, are grappling with feelings of loneliness. And it’s not just remote workers — the sustained level of stress surrounding the virus itself, as well as concerns about the economy and personal finances, are weighing on everyone’s minds.

So, how do we restore a sense of harmony between work and life outside of work? This will look different based on each individual’s set of circumstances, but I start with accepting that creating balance is a journey rather than a destination and I have to be patient with myself along the way. Here are some ideas I use that might help you on your quest for balance:

• Be present. To be present and fully engaged in the moment, try to let go of thoughts unrelated to the task at hand, knowing that you will be able to give your attention to that issue later. This helps prevent work challenges from creeping into my head while I have dinner with family or from thinking about my grocery list while in meetings.
• Set boundaries. Related to being present, try to create an environment that allows you to engage in the moment. I make an effort to remove distractions from my office and when the work day is over, I allow myself to stop checking work emails so I can be fully present in my time off the clock.
• Take breaks. Set aside time to take breaks throughout the day where you’re physically away from the computer. Giving my eyes and mind a little rest helps me stay energized throughout the day.
• Take PTO. Don’t feel guilty about asking for time off. Taking time to recharge your batteries and coming back to work re-energized is good for you personally as well as professionally.
• Reach out. If your workload is preventing you from being able to have a healthy work-life balance, don’t be afraid to bring this up with your manager. And speak up with friends, family, or a therapist if you need someone to talk to outside of work.

These tools may work better for some people than others, and they may feel easier some days than others. It’s not a perfect science, but the common thread is to keep trying and testing techniques until you find what works for you. After all, we are all a work in progress.