One of my friends recently mentioned that all she seems to do lately is work...
Sound familiar?
I'm sure many of us have found ourselves in that situation at some point in our lives. However, it's crucial to establish boundaries to prevent feelings of resentment from creeping into any aspect of our lives.
Boundaries come in various forms – whether they're mental, physical, or emotional, each presents its own unique challenges and requires distinct strategies to address effectively.
So, it's essential to identify the boundaries that work best for you and implement them. Setting boundaries is not a one-time task; it's a continuous journey that demands ongoing effort, practice, and commitment to your well-being.
I have some rules, some golden rules that I like to stick to. And since I've met Bert, he's really helped me stick to them as well.
While having an accountability partner can be beneficial, it's not absolutely necessary.
Here's my approach to setting and maintaining boundaries:
1. Acknowledge that work is part of life.
The thing is, work isn't something separate from life – it's a part of life, whether it's enjoyable or not. Some people find it a bit of a drag, while others are really passionate about it. Either way, it's a piece of our lives, for better or worse.
This is why it's hard to compartmentalize one from the other. Our minds naturally switch between work and personal life thoughts all the time. When you try to set strict boundaries and prevent certain thoughts from occurring, it can do more harm than good.
Now, this doesn't mean we shouldn’t strive to find a balance between our jobs and our personal time.
Here's the thing – if you truly love your job, you don't have to cut it short just to spend more time scrolling through your TikTok feed or watching Netflix.
The key is to remember that we're aiming for a balance between the things we love. It's not just about work versus everything else in life; it's about finding harmony between work, family, hobbies, chores, and all the other stuff that makes life interesting.
2. Identify what truly matters to you.
Figure out what work-life balance means to you personally. Is it hitting the gym daily, spending time with your loved ones, cooking, or reading?
Identify your core needs, commit to including them in your schedule, and don't second-guess your decision.
Focus on what consistently rejuvenates you and contributes to your overall well-being. Once you've pinpointed what matters most, set boundaries around these activities. This way, whether you're at work or home, you can fully engage with those around you.
Make a list of your top priorities and distinguish between what you're willing to be flexible about and what's non-negotiable. Once you have a clear understanding of your priorities, you can work towards achieving a better work-life balance.
3. Make yourself a priority.
When you prioritize your own emotional and physical well-being, you become more attuned to what you need to achieve a happier balance between your work and personal life. This could mean taking breaks to go for a walk to rejuvenate both your mind and body.
It might involve simply setting aside your phone for the evening, or even going an entire weekend without diving into your work emails. It's all about recognizing and addressing your own needs to find that essential equilibrium between your professional and personal obligations.
I like to block out time for self-care on my calendar. While I do have a regular meditation slot every day, if I want to catch up with a friend or have a lunch date with Bert, I make sure to mark it on my calendar.
4. Stick to a schedule.
Create a schedule and stick to it! If you work from home, aim to start your work at the same time each day rather than sleeping in or beginning too early.
I make sure to schedule lunch on my calendar. Sometimes I can get so absorbed in work that I forget to eat, and by 3 o'clock, I'm wondering why I'm so hungry. So, setting aside time for a proper lunch is crucial.
And most importantly set limits. You can apply this idea not just for work but for really ANYTHING you tend to overdo.
When I finish work in the evening (and the finish time may vary), I stick to it. I step away from my computer, leaving my workspace behind. It takes me a bit to transition into relaxation mode, but I make sure I'm 100% present. No checking the phone or emails, just unwinding with Bert, having dinner, and enjoying our time together.
If, for instance, you're used to working long 12-15 hour days, consider setting a daily limit of 8 hours and stick to it. If your schedule is flexible, you could even explore working less to create more space in your life. Some people have even found ways to make a four-day workweek (or even a 4-hour workweek) work for them.
5. Reflect on your life regularly.
Take time to notice when you feel resentful, tired, or burned out. Chances are you might be crossing your own boundaries!
I personally use my mornings for introspection when I hop on the treadmill. It's a wonderful way to start the day with some self-reflection while doing something good for myself like breaking out a sweat. Or I will begin my day by meditating the moment I open my eyes, often remaining in a lying-down position for a few minutes.
We also take a monthly look at the calendar. Are we planning a little weekend getaway? Catching up with friends? Or maybe just a weekend for the two of us to hang out and relax? It's all about finding that balance between work and personal activities.
The point is to not become so entrenched in our routines that we forget we have the power to change them. Regular self-reflection is the solution: assess how your life is progressing, and how you spend your time, and determine if adjustments are needed. Then, set aside time to implement those changes immediately—or make them as soon as possible.
Now, I know that making changes in your life and being consistent with them is not always easy. Especially when we have limiting beliefs that have not been addressed. This is why I highly recommend you check out The Limitless YOU Meditation Pack.
My team and I have created this to help you break free from toxic people and environments… unblock your personal power… connect to source, and change your daily habits… I'll show you how to unblock every internal and external barrier that just like your limiting beliefs, is holding you back from your highest potential.
It’s truly a powerful set of meditations and I know you’ll love them as much as I do.
