Freelancing has historically been associated with hybrid working – toggling between home, client offices and communal working spaces. The rest of us – actual office-based employees – were able to de-lineate work and home life much more successfully.

But the pandemic has changed all that. For many of us – whether freelance or employed – the lines between work and home life have effectively been blurred, potentially permanently. There are many joyous advantages from these changes to working practices – no more long commutes, more time to spend with our families, and more hours in every day to get through the DIY that’s been festering for years.

GSOH essential

But remote working, WFH or hybrid working – whatever you like to call it – comes with its own set of challenges. Today many more of us understand the complexities of juggling work and personal life. We’ve all seen the admittedly hilarious TV interview when a high-flying diplomat is interrupted on live television by a small child swaggering in to his study followed by a toddler in a baby-walker. Funny yes, but the stress of trying to appear professional when our personal and family lives encroach up on our workspace can be huge.

Work-life balance – more meaningful than ever before

Work-life balance is a thing. It’s been talked about for years but post-pandemic it’s suddenly paramount. Self-care makes us better colleagues, better family members and better people. Setting boundaries and making time away from work for family in friends is challenging but more important than ever before. 

‘Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.’

Dolly Parton

Dolly knew a thing or two. Isn’t it odd how the advance of technology and the automation of processes haven’t actually saved us any time? The ‘always on’ culture that pervades our lives today means that being busy has become the norm. We’re so used to being available and so used to being over-committed that we save the best of ourselves for work, scrimping on time for our loved ones and ourselves. Little wonder so many of us suffer from poor mental health, burnout and depression.

‘Imagine life as a game in which you’re juggling five balls in the air. You name them – work, family, health, friends and spirit – and you’re keeping them all up. You soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the four other balls are made of glass. If you drop one of these they will be scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life.’

Bryan Dyson, former Vice Chair and COO of Coca-Cola

Dolly’s in good company. So how can you effectively address the mounting stress and anxiety that hybrid working brings and create a balanced lifestyle?

Balance brings benefits

A balanced lifestyle is the key to success in any profession. You know the drill. Healthy diet, regular exercise, plenty of sleep. While the mantra is familiar, it’s not always easy to maintain such practices. But more than ever, mounting evidence proves it’s worth the effort. Today’s focus on mental health – especially for Gen Z – pushes the needle back to relaxation and self-care. And even if you do return to the office, COVID permitting, a commitment to maintaining boundaries between work and life is still as important.

A healthy work-life balance reaps dividends for your physical, mental and emotional needs.

Physical benefits include:

• increased energy levels
• improved sleep quality
• reduced stress levels.

Mental benefits include:

• new levels of creativity and productivity
• greater memory retention and recall skills
• better moods.

Emotional benefits include:

• closer relationships with family members
• a greater sense of self-worth
• rewarding friendships.
  

Five tips for balancing your work and home life

1. Set clear boundaries between work and home life – even if it all takes place in the same space. For example, don’t skip taking the dog for a walk at lunchtime even if you’re got a deadline. Your brain needs the break and the time away can inspire.
2. Create a routine and stick to it, where possible. Accept that (mostly) we’re not in the business of life and death, and in many professions, the quest to complete tasks doesn’t need to take up all your free time.
3. Delegate where you can. There’s freedom in realising that you’re not indispensable.
4. Avoid making decisions when tired, frustrated or stressed – wait until you’re feeling more positive or in a better mood. ‘Act in haste, repent at leisure.’ Ok, maybe your Gran said it to you, and you rolled your eyes even then, but it still holds true today for most of us. 
5. Exercise! A proven stress reliever, it doesn’t have to be a strenuous workout, just move for at least 20 minutes every day. Hello pre-pandemic jeans…
   
   

Some ideas for building healthy habit and breaking bad ones

1. Get up early. ‘Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.’ (Gran are you still here?)
2. Take time to connect with your inner self. Maybe yoga, mediation or taking a walk in nature – ‘forest-bathing’ the Japanese call it, and they know something about living a long and healthy life. 
3. Communicate. Bottling things up mostly doesn’t work. ‘A problem halved is a problem shared.’ (Gran again…) Talking to a friend, family member or mentor can help you see things more clearly.
4. Journaling or writing in a diary. Related closely to the above exercise, journaling – for your eyes only – can be a great way of making sense of the day, putting things in perspective and, when reviewing previous entries, provide tangible evidence of progress you might not otherwise see. 
5. Eat well. Eat less. Eat more plants. Again, all the information you need is out there. Help yourself and help the planet too. Multi-tasking at its finest!
   
   

The best way to start building healthy habits is to map out a plan for making changes in your daily life. When you decide what you want to do, write it down as a step-by-step plan. It’s easier to work towards a goal when you break it down into small tasks, a little like your working day.

Here’s to you finding a better work-life balance. 

And if you need a little help…

Call Lizzie at Bizzie

At Bizzie, I offer PA and concierge services to busy, discriminating people. I can release some of the pressure of the day-to-day, take away the tasks which impact your time, and give you back the headspace and creativity to maximise both work and life. Please give me a call at your convenience. Did I mention I make a mean cup of coffee?