I probably don’t need to say that this month’s GLAM Blog Club theme, balance is vital to happiness. Work-life balance is an actual thing and having it makes you a happier person. I know this because work-life balance is something I’m very good at it.
I work full time, volunteer with three organisations and I’m doing a part-time PhD. Yet in spite of these commitments (and sometimes because of them) I have excellent work-life balance. I don’t have children, flatmates or a partner that I’m obligated to but I’d like to make the point that single people are entitled to work-life balance too. It’s not just for people with children.
If you’re wondering how it’s done, here are my three rules for maintaining work-life balance:
- Don’t stay past 5pm: I am lucky to have flexible work hours. Being what Gretchen Rubin calls a ‘lark’ (a morning person) I start work at 7.40am and most days I leave at 4pm. I have one rule: don’t stay past 5pm. THERE IS NO NEED TO! There’s honestly very little in a librarian’s job that would require you to stay late – unless you choose to. Instead leave unfinished work until the morning. Get home early and go for a walk. Read a book, listen to jazz music, call your Mum. Write a blog entry. These are meaningful things that add to happiness and that you actually have time to do if you leave work at 5pm.
- Put your friends first: I choose my friends above work, volunteering and PhD study. I think friends are the most important part of happiness. Having friends to share experiences with is a good reminder that you are someone outside of your job. Your friends like you for who you are, not what you do. It’s a far better thing to lose a job than a friend.
- Prioritise your happiness: Make being happy a priority. This might mean leaving work unfinished or handing in a less than polished PhD chapter. But happiness is not about working long hours or getting perfect grades. Happiness is the people you have in your life and choosing to spend your time wisely. Reading, being creative, volunteering, visiting cultural institutions, exercising 30 minutes a day and spending time with friends are the top activities recommended by happiness theorists to make you happier. Working, whether at the office or studying, is not one of these things. So think carefully about how you spend your time.
My top three tips for work-life balance are less about work and more about life. If you have any other tips to add please feel free to share them with me in the comments field or on Twitter. And while work does bring a sense of achievement and meaning, make sure that you also be happy and choose life!
Happier Librarian 
Loved this post! Thank you for sharing. It’s refreshing to see work-life balance framed as a positive thing for our profession and someone walking the talk. I came home from my recent traveling sabbatical with new insight into how I want my life to be, a renewed sense of priorities, acceptance and patience. The follow-through is much harder in practice though, but I’ll get there 🙂
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Thanks, Alisa. You have expertly identified another key to happiness and work-life balance: taking holidays! Travel is something that increases happiness and allows you to refresh and recharge. Best of luck with your new priorities! Well done for setting them and being clear about what’s important to you.
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Hi Anne,
Have you listened to these podcast episodes on Role Overload? they tie closely to what you are saying.
https://www.stuffmomnevertoldyou.com/podcasts/role-overload-national-crisihttps://en.
I also think it’s important to remember not to buy into the culture of ‘I’m soooo busy’. As they say in the calssics “IT’S A TRAP”!
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And – it’s so good to hear someone say that having a good balance in your life is not just for people who have kids. There are a lot of things to care about in life!
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Hi Tess, thanks for your comments. I’ll have a listen to the podcast. I agree with you about the ‘I’m so busy’ culture. It’s ok to say you need time to relax. Thanks so much for reading! Anne
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