Balancing home and work life in this pandemic can be a struggle. So many of us transitioned to working from home, quite literally overnight, and even as things have changed and things have started to re-open, the impact of this new normal means many of us continue working from home, either full-time or occasionally. We have shifted our thinking from telecommuting as a perk to a necessity for many people. At the very least, we may need to always have that option for times when we or our families aren’t feeling well or another flu or disease breaks out. Now that we know that we CAN, and sometimes should, work from home, it is likely to be a more common feature of our professional lives.
So what does that mean for work-life balance? Yet another perk that’s become a fixture. We used to talk about work-life balance as a sort of idealism that companies or situations offered. You would choose a certain circumstance because it provided work-life balance.
But now, work-life balance isn’t just a nicety. It’s a necessity. Because our physical work and home lives are quite interwoven.
As a voice over talent, I’ve been balancing work and home life for over a decade now. I’ve had a home studio since the earliest days of my career. And as my personal life changed, from a single woman living on her own, to a newly married couple, to a mom, I’ve welcomed more people into my home and by extension my work space. I’ve learned a lot about working from home and balancing all those aspects and I have some tips that may help you as you start to settle into this new way of doing life.
What Does Work-Life Balance Mean?
Let’s take a moment and talk about what work-life balance means. As I define it, work-life balance is about your health as you juggle the responsibilities, challenges, joys, and weights of both your professional and personal lives. That health is not only your physical health, but also and especially your mental health as well. To do that, you need to be able to create space that allows you to make the most of both of those realms and to enjoy them for what they are.
Prioritizing Work and Home Life As You Balance
Although we often use the word “balance” to describe this struggle, it may not actually describe it well. It isn’t as though we are using a scale with fifty percent on each side. In order to do our best in each arena, we need to be able to prioritize each. This means giving each realm the time and physical space they deserve.
Making Work A Priority From Home
- The first step is seemingly the easiest, but we all are guilty of neglecting it. Set up a designated space to work. It may be a room all to itself. As a voice over actor, for me that means a studio. Maybe you don’t need a whole studio or maybe you don’t have a room to set aside just for work. That’s okay. A closet, a desk, a corner. Anything that can be distinct from other spaces. Make it a habit to use that work space, and not your bed, your couch, the table where you eat, etc. You need to be able to walk away from your work, and preferably to shut a door behind you too.
- Keep a schedule- and stick to it. This one is hard too. With laptops and mobile devices, work can easily meld into all times of the day, and night. But keeping time distinct is an important factor in maintaining balance, so you won’t feel like you are constantly working. Set office hours and publish them. Make sure your colleagues, and your loved ones, know when you are available and when you aren’t.
- And here’s maybe the hardest one of them all. Get dressed for work. We’ve all heard the stories of the new pandemic work clothes, and the horror stories of Zoom meetings gone awry. As professionals, even when working from home, we owe it to ourselves to dress the part. I’m not saying we need to dress to the nines every day. However, putting together an “office wardrobe” can really help. Then you can put on when you go into work, and then change out of when you’re ready to play on the floor with the kids or go work in the garden. It’s a visual cue to everyone about what’s happening next.
Making Home A Priority
An equally important distinction is setting time and space aside for home life. It’s easy to just keep checking emails, writing one more report, or processing one more invoice. But pretty soon, those little moments here and there creep into every hour of your day.
- If you have a family or friends that you live with, make time for them. Time that doesn’t involve a screen or your distractions. Of course, they deserve it. That goes without saying. But the truth is that you deserve it too. And you need it. You will work better and be better.
- Have conversations regularly about what everyone in the home needs, as far as time and space. Be respectful of everyone’s concerns and requirements. And continue to return to those conversations to discuss what is working – and what isn’t.
Physical Health and Mental Health
In light of a global pandemic, our attention is turned to our health and the health of those around us. Balancing our work and home lives can have a direct impact on those factors. When we are taking time away from work, we have time to focus on our health. We can take a deep breath, get some exercise, shop for and eat healthy meals, and laugh more. These are as critical as getting another hour of work in. And especially when there are viruses going around, it’s important that we keep our health up as much as we can, for the sake of everyone around us.
Enjoy The Benefits Of Working From Home
As with anything, there are pros and cons to working from home, but for me, I see a lot of benefits in being in your own space and having some flexibility. As best you can, try to enjoy the advantages of home life. Take a walk around the neighborhood on your breaks, or even take a walk meeting if it’s practical. Step out of the office space and work outside when weather permits.
Overall, just give yourself, and those working and schooling at home with you, some grace. It can be an adjustment for everyone and learning what works for you may take some time. Try something new, adjust and find the perfect schedule and set up that allow you to prioritize your work and home life with balance, efficiency, good health, and joy.