A Guide for Women: How to Balance Work and Family
The so-called work-life is a tricky proposition. Its mere existence seems to imply that work is not part of life. Then, of course, there’s the potential meaning of why “work” appears first in this equation. Simply put, in an often unforgiving, profit-driven culture, finding balance can sometimes feel impossible. That goes double for women.
In today’s digital world, old lines are blurred beyond recognition, but everyone basically expects women to continue providing the same nurturing work as before. We can’t always define when a workday begins or ends, but we expect women to have it all figured out. Remarkably, this is possible, but it requires intentional effort and some new perspectives.
3 Ways a Woman Knows If Her Work-Life Balance Is Uneven
She’s Tired and Irritable
When balance is lost (or taken from you), you may get less sleep. You may also eat on the go and rely on unhealthy choices. Exercise? Who has time for that? Well, this is a recipe for fatigue, irritability, and loss of concentration. At work, your productivity sags. At home, you can’t keep things up to your usual standard.
She Can’t Remember the Last Time She Had Fun
When a woman is overwhelmed, typically, the first thing that gets sacrificed is leisure time.
She Can’t Keep Up With All That’s on Her Plate
She goes and goes, but her to-do list only gets longer. This usually results in more compromises and fewer boundaries.
A Few Ways a Woman Can Start Balancing Out Her Everyday Life
At Home
Unplug
Don’t leave this to chance. Make a schedule for tech breaks that allow you to detox, decompress, and reconnect with your personal needs and emotions. Use that time to practice self-care. There is no job on the planet more important than your mental and physical well-being. Create a non-negotiable regimen of self-care that includes elements like:
Healthy eating and drinking habits
Daily exercise
Steady sleep patterns
Stress management and relaxation techniques
Get Comfortable Delegating
Don’t go the “superwoman” route. Involve your household in the collective effort of keeping everyone involved, included, and invested in what needs to get done.
At Work
Talk to Management
The working life has changed dramatically in the past 5 to 10 years. This means how we work must evolve, too. Connect with your supervisors to reimagine the workplace in such a way that everyone can benefit. It can help to recruit some co-workers to the cause.
Choose Efficiency
Make the most of your work time so you don’t need to think about it during leisure. Set reasonable and reachable goals while working efficiently enough to get tasks completed within the prescribed workday.
Give Up Perfectionism
This tip is useful at home and work. No one is perfect; thus, letting go of this unfair expectation can feel like a weight being lifted from your shoulders. Communication is key here because you will need to collaborate with family members, roommates, co-workers, bosses, and more. But if you can get even somewhat on the same page, the pressure cooker environment can be reduced until it’s gone.
Every Woman Deserves Validation and Guidance
An out-of-whack life balance doesn’t happen overnight. It sneaks up on you, and by the time you identify what’s happening, things can be out of control. That’s why so many women opt to connect with a skilled therapist. Being able to brainstorm, vent, and learn every week is a powerful step toward a more enriching and healthy life.
If you find yourself making too many unhappy trade-offs, I invite you to reach out to set up a free and confidential consultation for women’s counseling. Let’s get you back on track!