You are exhausted. Not just in your body, but deep inside.
It feels like no matter how hard you try, there’s never enough time. Work takes over your days, and when you finally get a moment to breathe, you realize how much you have been missing out on.
The quiet moments. The small joys. The feeling of being fully present in your own life.
You want to do well in your career. You have worked hard to get to where you are. But at the same time, you can’t shake the feeling that you are losing yourself in the process.
Maybe you feel guilty for wanting more balance, or maybe you have accepted that this is just the way life has to be. But deep down, you know something needs to change.
The good news is, you are not alone, and finding the balance is possible.
This isn’t another list of generic advice. These are real, practical tips from my experience and also from women who have been in your shoes.
Simple changes that will help you take back control of your time, your energy, and your life.
You don’t have to keep running on empty. Let’s get you back to feeling like you again.
Before We Begin: A Little Heads-Up
Before we get into the practical tips, I’d like to clear up a few things about work-life balance. So many women chase this idea of “perfect balance” only to feel like they’re failing when life doesn’t fit neatly into equal halves.
The truth is that balance isn’t about splitting everything 50/50. It’s more about finding what works for you. Here are 3 things you should look into:
1. Balance Isn’t Always 50/50
Some days, work will need more of you. On other days, your personal life will take priority and that’s okay.
Balance isn’t about dividing your time equally every single day. It’s about making sure that, over time, both your career and your personal life get the attention they deserve without one completely draining you.
2. You First Have to Decide What Balance Means to You
No one can define balance for you. Think about it, what is balance to you?
Is it having free evenings for your family?
Does it mean setting firm work boundaries? or
Is it about pursuing a passion outside of work?
Take a moment to think about what your version of balance looks like. When you know what you are aiming for, it’s much easier to build habits that support it.
3. Balance Looks Different for Everyone
What works for Person A may not work for you and that is perfectly fine.
Your responsibilities, energy levels, and priorities are unique. So, instead of comparing yourself to others, why not focus on creating a balance that fits your life currently?
With these in mind, let’s uncover 10 real and practical ways you can create a work-life balance that feels right for you.
Work-Life Balance Strategies That Works Like Magic
Leave Work at Work
One of the biggest challenges in work-life balance is knowing when to stop working. If you are constantly checking emails, answering work calls, or thinking about tasks outside of work hours, you never truly disconnect.
Leaving work at work is an essential way to protect your time, energy, and mental well-being.
Setting clear boundaries is the first step to achieving this. If your job doesn’t require after-hours availability, don’t respond to emails or messages once your workday ends. Let your colleagues know your working hours and stick to them. If you use the same phone or computer for both work and personal life, consider turning off work notifications after a certain time to help create separation.
Even with strong boundaries such as these, work thoughts can still creep in. When this happens, write down every lingering thought or task in a notebook or send yourself an email to take note of this. This action allows you to leave concerns at your desk, knowing they will be there when you return.
The idea of this strategy is to help you create habits that help you mentally and physically step away from work, so you can fully engage in your personal life without guilt or distraction.
Prioritize Tasks
When everything feels urgent, it’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to do everything at once. But not everything holds the same weight, and spreading yourself too thin only leads to burnout.
Prioritization shouldn’t be focused only on work but also on making intentional choices for both your career and personal life.
At work, start by identifying what truly needs your attention first. If you are overwhelmed with tasks, communicate with your boss to understand what’s most critical. Be clear about what can realistically be completed within a given time.
If your workload is constantly unrealistic, it may be a sign that the work culture isn’t sustainable, and looking for a better fit could be worth considering.
Outside of work, prioritization also matters just as much. It’s so easy to put off personal time because work feels more urgent. But if you don’t actively make space for family, rest, and things that bring you joy, they will always come last.
Decide what non-work moments matter most to you, whether it’s uninterrupted family dinners, solo recharge time, or pursuing hobbies, and treat them as non-negotiables.
Just like an important meeting or task at work, these moments also deserve a spot on your schedule.
Self Awareness
If you think work-life balance is all about managing time, you are wrong.
More than just managing time, work-life balance is also about managing yourself.
Being self-aware helps you recognize when stress is building up, when your boundaries are being crossed, and when you need to step back before burnout takes over. Without it, you may not realize how much pressure you are under until it’s too late.
One of the most practical ways to build self-awareness is by checking in with yourself regularly. Ask simple but important questions such as:
Am I stressed?
Why am I feeling this way?
Is my reaction reasonable?
Can I do anything about it?
These questions help you identify when work is overwhelming you and whether action needs to be taken, such as delegating tasks, adjusting your schedule, or reinforcing boundaries.
When you pay attention to your mind and body, you gain the power to take control of your well-being and change things if need be. To be honest, work will always be demanding, but by staying aware of your limits and taking small but meaningful steps to manage stress, you can create a balance that works for you.
Read up on how to build your self-esteem so you can live your best life.
Try Working From Home
Working from home can significantly improve your work-life balance by giving you more control over your time and reducing the pressure of a rigid office environment.
In a traditional office setting, you are bound to a strict schedule with limited breaks and a set commute time. Working from home removes those constraints, allowing you to better manage your workday and integrate personal tasks into your routine.
For example, during the 15-minute breaks that are typically used for nothing but waiting around in an office, you can now use that time to take care of small tasks like folding laundry, preparing a snack, or tidying up. These are things that would otherwise cut into your evening, taking away precious time from relaxation or family.
By handling such tasks during work hours, you free up your personal time to truly unwind after work, reducing stress and giving you more quality time for yourself or loved ones.
Additionally, working from home eliminates the need for a daily commute, which saves both time and energy. Without the long drive or commute, you have extra hours each day to either rest, exercise, or pursue personal interests, contributing to a better work-life balance.
Work For Yourself
If you are having a hard time in a 9-5 setting, have you considered working for yourself?
Working for yourself can offer a level of control and flexibility that you rarely get with traditional employment, making it another powerful way to improve your work-life balance.
When you are self-employed, either as a freelancer or an independent contractor, you are the one in charge of setting your hours and workload, which allows you to make intentional choices about how your time is spent.
The most significant benefit is the ability to create your schedule. Unlike in a traditional job, you can decide when to work and when to take breaks. For example, if you need a mid-day break to recharge or spend time with family, you can simply schedule your tasks around those needs. Additionally, you can determine how much work you want to take on, avoiding the burnout that often comes with being forced to accept more responsibilities than you can handle.
Being self-employed doesn’t guarantee a perfect balance, but it gives you the autonomy to create one that works for you.
Have a commitment after work
If you also struggle with staying later at work than you should, this strategy is for you.
It’s very easy to get caught up in tasks and lose track of time. However, by setting a commitment outside of work, you can help draw a clear line between your job and personal life.
When you commit to something after work like a hobby or a class, it becomes a strong motivator to leave work on time. For example, picking up a hobby of learning a language or even a sill could give you a reason to stop working. Knowing that you have a class to attend means you can’t stay late at the office, which can help protect your personal time.
To adopt this strategy, find something that excites you or helps you relax, like a fitness class, a creative project, or even spending time with family. Set specific days and times for these activities and treat them like appointments that you can’t afford to miss. This commitment will not only give you something to look forward to but also create a firm boundary between your work and personal life.
Time Off for Yourself
Think about this, do you ever take time off just for yourself, or do you always use it for family obligations?
Many people take leave only for holidays, family events, or errands, but real work-life balance comes from also using time off to recharge for yourself.
Taking personal time off (PTO) or even leave without pay (LWP) for yourself helps prevent burnout. It allows you to step away from work stress and focus on your well-being. This can mean resting at home, engaging in a hobby, traveling solo, or simply having quiet time to reset. Without these breaks, exhaustion builds up, making it harder to be productive or enjoy life outside of work.
To make this work, start by planning your time off in advance. Look at your work calendar and choose days when you can take a break without major disruptions. Communicate your leave early to avoid last-minute stress. When you take time off, resist the urge to check emails or do work tasks. Treat this time as a necessary investment in your mental and physical health.
Even if you can’t take long vacations, schedule regular short breaks. A single day off for yourself every few months can make a big difference. To do this, you may need to learn how to save fast as it will enable you set aside enough money to cover up bills when you go on leave.
Develop a Backup Plan
No job is guaranteed, and if your current role is demanding and exhausting, having a clear alternative gives you control over your future.
One way to create a backup plan is by gaining new skills. If your long-term goal is a career change, consider taking courses or certifications that qualify you for different roles.
For example, I worked as a freelancer for the last 5 years. When things got pretty much overwhelming for me, I had to come up with a backup plan which involved me going into blogging full-time.
If you are in a high-stress corporate job but want to transition into a creative field, start by building a portfolio or taking freelance projects on the side.
Another approach is to identify lower-stress job options you could take if needed, This doesn’t mean settling but having a realistic place to land while working toward something better. If you’re in a toxic work environment, knowing where else you could work reduces the fear of leaving.
Having a backup plan gives you the freedom to make choices that support both your career and your life. Instead of feeling trapped, you’ll have options that allow you to prioritize your health and happiness.
Engage in Hobbies
Engaging in a hobby like gardening can significantly improve work-life balance by providing you with a meaningful escape from work-related stress. Hobbies give your mind something enjoyable to focus on, allowing you to disconnect from job pressures and recharge mentally.
Gardening for example is a great way to relieve stress while staying active. The physical effort of planting and maintaining a garden can be therapeutic, and watching plants grow provides a sense of accomplishment.
If gardening isn’t an option due to space or budget, consider alternatives like keeping houseplants. Taking care of a plant, even a simple one like a snake plant or a lavender pot can offer a calming routine. It introduces a mindful break in the day, shifting focus away from work and towards something peaceful.
The key is to find a hobby that feels rewarding and sustainable for you. Whether it’s gardening, painting, cooking, or playing an instrument, dedicating time to a personal interest helps create a healthier balance between work and life.
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