Why work life integration is even more important now
Excerpt of the article as featured on Thrive Global
“Treat yourself like your closest friend.” I love this perspective from Jen Fisher in her article for Thrive Global on Why Self-care Has Never Mattered More for Parents and Caregivers. As working women, we often fail to make ourselves a priority and find time to focus on our own well-being. I am not just talking about wellness, but also about our overall goals when it comes to life and work.
Let’s face it, work life balance is a myth. Finding that perfect 50:50 balance is tough. Many of us struggle even on our best days to find our own sense of work life integration at different points of our lives. We may not strive for balance anymore, yet we know just how amazing it feels when some of our goals (even those small ones) are reached.
Work life integration is even more important now for women. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a major disruption on our lives. Job losses are expected to have a prolonged and negative effect for men and women alike. Yet, for women, the pandemic has had a significant impact on women’s careers, their sense of financial security, and potentially it may extend the time it takes to close the gender wage gap.
Take control back
Life has changed for many women this year because of the pandemic. It is time to take back control to adjust to the new “normal” and it starts with the basics of prioritizing you.
To fight burnout and find what work life integration means for you takes:
1. a Shift in mindset to not be driven by your to-dos (or circumstances and events), but instead by your goals;
2. Resetting expectations firstly of yourself and what others may expect from you. Sometimes this may require setting boundaries of what you are willing and not willing to do; and
2. Asking for the support that you need to succeed in your goals and help with some of your to-dos.
Read the full article as published on Thrive Global
The article also highlights the burnout epidemic facing women and job losses leading to a Female Recession.
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