We ALL Deserve Work-Life Balance

One benefit of COVID-19 is that many of us have learned we can do our jobs working from home, and our companies have started to recognize that too. 

As we start to think about returning to “normal” at our jobs, many companies are taking a new approach, offering employees the ability to work from home (WFH) part- or full-time. 

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As I’m hearing people talk about this hybrid model, one of the things that frustrates me is the perception that this change is primarily for parents of young children. 

The benefits of working from home for Moms are undeniable (now that daycares, schools and summer camps are opening up). It allows parents the flexibility to get their work done on their own schedule and the ability to spend more time with their kids. But it’s not just those with little ones who have something to gain from greater flexibility in our work schedules. 

While I don’t currently have children, I have thrived in the WFH environment over the past year. I am thrilled my company is offering a hybrid approach that will allow me to continue to stay home a few days a week. Here’s why: 

Less stimulation

As an anxious, sensitive, introvert, the office environment (especially in open-space) can be overwhelming. Working from home allows me to cut out all of the extra stimulation that comes with the office – noise, small talk, office politics – to be more productive and mentally well. 

At the office I feel a constant need to be “on” — while working from home, I can take breaks between Zoom meetings where no one can see me. I can let out a frustrated sigh without anyone noticing. I can growl at an email and then write a kind response. 

As a recovering people pleaser, I am better off mentally because I can put less energy into how others perceive me. I am able to be more authentic behind my screen than I can in an open office environment. 

Increased productivity

Because I am less stimulated and concerned about my surroundings at home, I can use more of my energy to focus on the tasks that matter most to our business. 

As a communications professional, finding time and space in the office to write is sometimes nearly impossible. But at home, I find it easier to do deep-focused work, like writing, without interruption. 

At first, during quarantine many of us fell into the trap of working late into the evening or logging on earlier and earlier, just because we could. But as we adjusted, many of us (myself included!) have learned to be more productive and get our work done in less time if we focus on the task at hand. 

Better boundaries

In 2020, I developed better work boundaries than I have ever had before, and I also had one of the highest performance ratings of my career. 

I mention this not to brag about my performance review (go me!) but because I learned a valuable lesson – working smarter doesn’t necessarily mean working harder or longer hours. 

If you read my book, Strong Calm Confident You, you know there is a whole chapter on how I learned to set boundaries at work. And setting those boundaries can be much easier to start behind a screen. I now have fairly strict working hours of 9-5. Sometimes of course I start early or work a little late, but in general I try to use my morning and evening as “my time.” 

At the beginning of the pandemic, I used my mornings to work on my book, spending time between 6-8 outlining, writing and editing. Now that the book is out there, I use that time for promotion and content marketing. I also try my best to log off at 5 or 5:30 at the latest. I do a 30 minute workout, make dinner and spend time with my hubby. Having clear things I want to achieve before and after work hours helps me stick to my boundaries. 

I also hold my lunch hour as sacred. I try my best not to schedule or accept meetings from 12-1, so I can take a break to get something to eat and go for a walk outside with my dog. This lunch hour break has been transformational for me. Even on my busiest days, I allow myself to take this time away from my computer, and it does wonders to clear my head so I can come back more calm and productive. 

Improved Mental Health 

All in all, working from home improves my mental health. While I love my job and my coworkers, being at home allows me to better manage my anxiety.

There have been many times in the office where I have felt on the verge of tears or a panic attack and had to find a quiet space to calm myself down. At home, I’m able to manage my anxiety before it gets to this tipping point. 

When I am having an off day I can keep my camera off and “hide” when I need to. It’s easier for me to move meetings, when I need to focus on other tasks or don’t feel up to it, because I won’t run into the person on the receiving end in the bathroom after I cancel on them. 

I’m thrilled my company has opted to move to a hybrid model that allows our employees to work part of the week from home – and I’m happy to see many companies are doing the same. 

This flexibility allows us to achieve the collaboration and comradery we’ve been missing in-person. But it also gives employees the opportunity for greater work-life balance – whatever that looks like for you. 

For some, work-life balance means more time with children and family. But for others it may mean more time to focus on mental or physical health, time with friends or to pursue a hobby. 

At the same time, I know working from home isn’t for everyone, nor does everyone have that privilege. So if you prefer the stability and structure of an in-person work environment – you do you, girl! Or if you’re one of our hometown heroes working in healthcare, education, or another essential field – I sincerely thank you for what you do. 

It’s cliché but true – we work to live, not live to work. So if you’re fortunate enough to work for a company that is embracing a more flexible schedule, I urge you to consider taking advantage of these benefits. Stop feeling guilty for working from home because you don’t have kids. You are worthy of work-life balance too. And if you are lucky enough to be a parent, recognize that it’s not everyone’s path and be mindful of your words. We ALL deserve more balance in our lives.