It is difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance at any time – not to mention when we are in the midst of a global pandemic. Look in any newspaper or any business blog or magazine, and you are sure to find dozens of articles talking about how the way we work is changing. 

But it is not just our office life that is being affected. Everything from childcare to eating schedules to entertainment options likely looks a bit different than it did at the end of last year. Even as summer comes to a close, many things are still uncertain. Will kids be going back to school? When will businesses start to reopen? Will you get to visit your family for the holidays? 

This is particularly tough for individuals who suddenly found themselves working from home. When your work-life is all of a sudden on top of your personal/family life, how do you keep things separate? How do you find time for self-care and stay sane? 

I wish that I had a magical answer. I wish that there was just one thing that you could do – a switch to flip – that would make everything feel normal again. Unfortunately, one does not exist (or, if you find one, please let me know). That being said, there are a few things that can help make things a little bit smoother while we continue along this bumpy road. 

Find a Support Group

You might not be used to asking for help – but this is more about having a community that can share resources with one another. It is always better to learn from others’ mistakes or have someone to turn to for guidance than it is to try and go it alone. When we are all stuck in our homes all the time, it is easy to feel isolated. Even if it is just a Facebook group, having a support group will help lessen the (emotional) load. 

Build Up Others 

Compliments have an excellent payoff. Not only do they help an individual feel appreciated, valued, and seen, but this glow is often paid forward. And positivity is something that all of us could use at the moment. Take time to notice the little things. It is really easy to feel underwater or invisible right now. A few kind words may help someone more than you know – and chances are, you will also feel better as a result.   

Adjust Your Expectations

Things are not the same right now. Not at work and not at home. To expect you to produce the same level of quality of output at the moment puts an undue burden on yourself that can quickly deteriorate your self-esteem and motivation. Before committing to something, take a moment to ask what you are truly capable of doing. Or, if you come up short, know that it is okay. 

By making these few small adjustments, you can greatly improve your work-life during these trying times. 

 

Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash