Why Work-Life Balance is so Important
“Work-life balance” is a phrase that I’ve heard getting tossed around since my first post-graduate job. But what does it mean to have work-life balance? Why is work-life balance so important? And what does that look like to me? Keep reading to find out!
Work-life balance.
I’m sure many of you all, much like myself, have heard this phrase at least a hundred times. Companies claim they value it. So much so that some will do surveys to assess how you feel about the work-life balance during your tenure there. I first encountered this buzz phrase a couple of months after I finished undergrad, as I was interviewing for my first real job. My soon to be supervisor said in my interview that work-life balance was very important to them– that I would work hard but play even harder.
Yeah…not so much.
I did have fun with my co-workers at team outings but was it worth the sun up to (way past) sundown work days? Being too exhausted to hang out with my friends on weekends? To be honest, at that point in my life I wasn’t sure. It wasn’t until I became a mother that I really valued my time.
Jumpsuit: Marshalls (similar $38.00) | Shoes: Guess $34.99
I was working for the same company when I had MJ and when I tell y’all I HATED working that job, I mean it! Those 12-13 hour days that weren’t that bad were now agonizing to get through. I barely had enough energy to go home and be a mom. Weekends were no better as I was pretty much working every Saturday at the time. I craved that work-life balance the company said was oh so important to them. There was some wiggle room, but not much. I spent more than a year at that company but I was way past burnt out.
That work experience taught me to value my time more than anything. “What is the work-life balance like?” became a staple question during interviews. I needed to know that wherever I went ext would allow me the flexibility I wanted and needed to be a well-rounded person. True work-life balance is important to me because I have a little girl that I want to give my time to. I want to take her to the park or out for ice cream after school. I want to do play dates and gymnastics on the weekend. And I don’t want to feel like a zombie while doing it. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.
in addition to being a strong presence in my daughter’s life, I also want time to enjoy the things that I like. Mamas’ gotta have a life too! I enjoy a little solitude, R & R, me time now and then. Working at a place that allows me the flexibility I need to be a parent and encourages me to take vacation time makes my work experience so much more enjoyable. My time is just that– MY time. It belongs to me and it’s necessary for me to have the autonomy to use it as I please.
Even if you aren’t a parent, it’s important to have work-life balance. Everyone needs time to unwind and recharge, it’s unfair for your job to consume so much of your time and energy that you have nothing left to give. As adults, our lives are full of constant change, adjustments ad uncomfortable spaces. We need to be able to take a step back and breathe. Take a vacation. Treat yourself to a spa day. Schedule a weekly fitness class. Get your bi-weekly mani/pedi. Never feel bad or guilty for using your time the way you want. If you feel yourself running low on energy, take a step back from work and recharge. What use are you at work if you haven’t taken time to address your mental health?
How important is work-life balance to you? What do you do to make ensure you find the balance between delivering at work and using your time the way you want? Leave your comments below!
Until net time,
