Does Work-Life Balance Exist When Working Remotely?

My work-from-home journey began in February 2020. It didn't take long for me to start logging in earlier than required, and I began skipping lunches and staying on past the time I would have left the office. In the evenings, I would do a "quick" email check just to be sure I wasn't missing something important, which often led to logging back in and working on something that could have easily waited until the next day. While going to the office allowed me to have dedicated work hours, transitioning to working at home left me feeling like I wasn't allowed to turn it off. I realized this was not a healthy (or sustainable) way to manage my days, and over time I have learned to separate my work and personal time (ahem...for the most part).

Set A Structured Work Schedule

The main thing I have done to counteract this self-created imbalance is, adhere to a more structured work schedule. I log in when my day is scheduled to start, and I log out when the workday is scheduled to end. Of course, there are always exceptions, but I generally try to limit myself to working only during the hours designated on my time sheet. As a nurse, it isn't in my nature to leave work unfinished, and adjusting has not been easy. I am three years into the work-from-home routine, and I still struggle with this every day.

After committing to a more structured schedule, I will admit I enjoy the "extra" time it seems I have in the mornings! I spend more time with the kids before they go to school, do some household chores, and even manage to get a little reading in every now and then! I feel more prepared for the workday because I have a better mindset, and I don't feel so sluggish when it's time to "clock in.” I'm able to have dinner on the table at a reasonable time, and I don't feel so mentally drained in the evenings. I still give 100% of myself to my work during those set hours, but I am finally appreciating the true value of putting my family first and enjoying quality time with them. (Why does this still make me feel guilty sometimes?!)

Get Up and Move!

In the office, it was easy to pause and take a trip to the breakroom or stop by a co-worker's cubicle to say "hi" and catch up for a few minutes. At home, I found myself working for hours (and by that, I mean all day) without leaving my seat. I am reminded of my days in the Emergency Department when people would ask, "How can you forget you need to use the restroom?” Well, I just want to finish one thing, and that turns into five things, and before you know it, the time is 3 pm, and your stomach is wondering why you haven't eaten all day.

"Get up and move" sounds simple, but I tend to be so focused on my work I truly don't notice the time passing me by. I've been known to set alarms throughout the day as a reminder to separate myself from my chair. I know the work isn't going anywhere, but for some reason, I still have difficulty putting it on hold, even for just a few minutes. It makes me sad to think of how many sunrises I've missed because I chose to start burying myself in work several hours before the sun came up.

Mobile Apps ... Friend, or Foe?

The ability to access work-related information on my phone is a bit too convenient for me. Just like texting while driving should not be happening, neither should I be reading work emails while making dinner or in the middle of the night when I should be sleeping. I have not removed the apps from my phone, but I have chosen not to look at my phone for anything work-related outside of my scheduled hours. (I did turn off the notifications; my willpower is not strong enough to just let that "ping" go unnoticed.) One step at a time!

Something To Prove?

Not everyone gets to experience the benefit of working from home (and not everyone sees the opportunity as a positive thing.) On some level, I felt I had to work harder and put in longer hours to show my boss I wasn't taking advantage or abusing the privilege. Guess what? She doesn't think any less of me for sticking to my scheduled hours, and she encourages me to enjoy my personal time. I had burdened myself with expectations that actually caused her to worry I would burn myself out. It was eye-opening to realize my work-life imbalance had the opposite effect on how she viewed my work performance. She knew before I did that longer hours don't make someone a better coworker.

In The End

I still think it's perfectly okay to have a strong desire to perform well and go above and beyond what is required, but I also know my work should not be the primary thing defining me as a person. I believe the best way to bring value to my team is by setting boundaries for myself that contribute to my overall well-being. Having a work-life balance allows me to be more productive both at work and at home, and by lifting the burden of impossible expectations, my sanity has a greater chance of remaining intact!