Forget Work/Life Balance

Many of us set New Year's resolutions for better work/life balance. But what if balance isn't the answer? It may be time to rethink the idea of ‘balance’ and focus on something more achievable—work/life harmony."

Balance rarely happens naturally. To achieve balance, we often have to take from one side and add to another to get the scales to even out. But when it comes to balancing work with the rest of our lives, we have to consider the fact that we only have 24 hours in a day—8 of which, in theory, should be dedicated to sleep. That leaves us with 8 hours to work and another 8 hours for everything else.  And in many cases, work takes more than its fair share of 8 hours, so our attempts at balance really mean stop working so much. Whether it's staying late, taking work calls on the weekend, or checking emails at dinner, the math is clear—balance is hard to come by, even for those who don't have long commutes or other black holes of time during the day.

Instead of striving for the elusive balance, let’s focus on cultivating work/life harmony—a dynamic, ever-evolving state that’s far more achievable and nourishing for our mental health and physical wellbeing.

The concept of balancing work and life—or maintaining harmony between the two—predates the industrial revolution and the demand for work/life balance as we understand it today. While the modern term "work/life balance" emerged in the late 18th century, the idea of integrating work and life in harmony is deeply embedded in older traditions.

Many of us actually love our work and can easily get consumed.  It feels good to be productive, cross items off our to-do list and watch something we are creating come to life.  Some of us have dedicated years of energy and money into getting where we are today, to do the work we are called to do and it feels amazing.  While being in the flow is invigorating, we have to know when to say enough is enough.  Whether that is over the course of a day or over the many months of a season, we need to be aware and respectful of our approaching our limits. 

Harmony means going with the ebbs and flows, the ups and downs with ease, beauty and grace. There is a time to work hard and a time to rest and relax.  In order to give it all you got again, there must be a period to refuel.  And the inevitability of these cycles allow us to embrace them for the ever changing realities that they are.

So, harmony is about creating an environment where both our work and personal life can exist in a state of mutual respect and fulfillment, without constantly feeling like one is being robbed.

Many ancient philosophies emphasized the importance of living a balanced life:

• In medieval Europe and other regions: The home was frequently the workplace, so family life and business were seamlessly integrated. Success depended on the entire household functioning as a unit.

• Confucianism (China): Stressed the harmonious organization of family, work, and society, emphasizing that personal and communal duties should complement each other.

• Greek Philosophy: Thinkers like Aristotle discussed eudaimonia (flourishing), which included balancing productive work, family relationships, and leisure for the good of the soul.

What Does Work/Life Harmony Look Like?

It is a dynamic state where both aspects of your life—work and personal—can coexist peacefully. Unlike balance, which can feel rigid, harmony allows for flow and flexibility. It means:

• Prioritizing what really matters without guilt—whether it's work or personal time.

• Setting standards for yourself, to live up to your well-being.

• Practicing self-care consistently, not just when you're feeling burnt out.

• Embracing productivity without perfection, and giving yourself permission to iterate and learn as you grow.

Now that we’ve defined work/life harmony, let’s explore some small but impactful steps you can take today to align your work and life in a way that feels nourishing.

• Modern Workplace Flexibility: Many companies are now embracing hybrid work models, where flexibility is encouraged. Use this to your advantage. Set boundaries for in-office and remote work, and don’t be afraid to create space for both work and personal time.

• Digital Tools: Leverage apps like Trello, Asana, or Google Calendar for work and personal time blocking. These tools help you visualize your day, organize tasks, and track progress on your way to finding harmony.

• Mindfulness and Meditation: Practices like Mindful Breathing or Guided Meditation Apps (e.g., Calm or Headspace) can help you stay present and reset your mind when shifting between work and personal responsibilities.

The ancient roots of harmonizing work and life reflect our human desire to create meaningful work without sacrificing relationships, well-being, or joy. It is a beautiful intention to infuse into our lives.

As we kick off 2025, now is the perfect time to start building work/life harmony. It doesn’t require a massive overhaul of your schedule, just a few small, intentional changes.

Your first step: Try this tonight: before you finish your workday, set aside 10 minutes for a mindful reflection. Look at your calendar for tomorrow, block out work and personal time, and identify one small self-care action you can take.

Invite a friend to join you on this journey to work/life harmony! Share your new daily reflection practice and support each other in staying mindful of boundaries. Let’s stop juggling and start blending, creating space for both our professional success and personal well-being.

This year, let’s stop juggling and start blending our lives in a way that nourishes our bodies, minds, and souls.

Wishing you all a harmonious 2025, where work and life work in beautiful unison.

With love,
Cassandra Juniphant