Kiran Athar
Modern life is relentless – we’re so heavily focused on work that we often neglect ourselves in the process!
I know how frustrating this can be, as it’s taken me a few years to finally get a healthy work-life balance. But trust me, the effort to get a good routine in place will pay off, you’ve just got to work at it.
So, in this article, I’ll be sharing 14 ways to achieve harmony in your daily routine so you no longer feel stretched at the seams!
1) Accept that there is no perfect routine
So, you want to achieve a better work-life balance?
The first thing you need to do is accept that you’ll never create a “perfect” routine – this belief will set you up for failure!
The truth is, life is up and down and a routine that might work for a few months, could change down the line.
Learn to go with the flow and adjust as needed, but never lose sight of your main priority…finding harmony and balance!
2) Find a job you actually enjoy
This next point might be harder to achieve, but if you can find a job you love, you’re already going to feel much better.
This doesn’t mean you have to quit your day job right away though. Explore your passions and interests outside of work, start a side hustle, and go from there.
So, why is this so important?
Well, if you thoroughly despise your job, no amount of getting a work-life balance will matter – you’re going to feel miserable either way.
3) Set clear boundaries
But until finding the job of your dreams happens, it’s important to set clear boundaries.
This will allow you to work effectively and efficiently, without eating into your personal time…a must if you want to achieve harmony in your daily routine!
For example, I’ve set up an “office” in the small bedroom of our house. I only work there, which gives me a clear separation when I finish work and want to relax in the living room.
You might want to set a similar boundary if you also WFH, or perhaps your boundary might look like telling your boss which hours you don’t wish to be contacted during…
It’s all about finding what’s best for you!
4) Make your health a priority
Boundaries will be your best friend, especially when prioritizing your health.
Here’s the thing – we work, work, and work some more, until one day we wake up and our bodies have aged, we’ve neglected our health, and in many cases, we end up suffering from burnout.
In this case, prevention is much better than treatment. Make sure to:
- Listen to how your body feels and keep a close eye on your stress levels
- Speak to someone if you’re feeling constantly tired or overwhelmed with work
- Practice self-care – eat healthily, sleep well, and exercise regularly
I hate to say it, but a job will replace you in a hot minute. Don’t sacrifice your health, you will regret it later down the line.
5) Don’t feel guilty for unplugging
When I first started freelance writing, I found it hard to unplug from the laptop or avoid checking my phone for work-related updates.
But I quickly realized that I wasn’t achieving harmony or peace, especially on my days off. I left the guilt behind, and I’ve never looked back since!
So, what does this mean for you?
Turn off your electronics. Get out into the world and do things that don’t involve checking your emails.
News flash:
The work will still be there when you return!
6) Learn how to delegate
Sometimes, we feel like we have to take on everything to prove how worthy we are, especially at work.
But delegating can improve your life and give you the balance you’re searching for…
For example, at work, you might find that delegating small tasks to your colleagues or subordinates frees up your time to focus on bigger projects.
And the same applies at home.
Get the other members of your family to chip in with household chores, and you’ll find yourself with more free time than expected!
7) Take regular breaks
It might sound obvious, but taking breaks is a great way to feel more harmonious in your daily routine.
And if you’re like me (who sets the intention and then works straight through my designated break times) it can help to set timers!
Not only will this give your brain a chance to rest, but you can get active by going for a short walk or stretching to keep your body energized and healthy.
8) Make time for your passions
Making time for the things you enjoy is an absolute must – it’s essential for achieving a work-life balance.
But it will require being tough on yourself.
When I was a teacher in another life, I found it incredibly hard to make time to go cycling (something I love).
There was always another set of books to mark or a lesson to plan – something always got in the way.
In the end, I blocked off two hours every Friday afternoon and dedicated this time to go for a long, refreshing bike ride.
I realized the planning and marking could wait, my passion for life couldn’t!
9) Nurture your relationships
And while you’re working out how to prioritize your passions and hobbies, don’t forget your close relationships!
These make up an important part of achieving a healthy work-life balance.
Even if you’re stressed and busy with work, speak to your close ones about it.
If they’re aware, they can make adjustments to accommodate you – maybe you won’t join them for a party on a Tuesday night but you can meet up on a Saturday morning for a coffee!
10) Learn to say “no”
Remember earlier, when I mentioned boundaries?
Well, this point goes hand in hand. When you learn how to set boundaries, you also learn the importance of saying “no”!
Let’s say your boss asks you to work overtime for the third week in a row. But you’re exhausted and had planned to take a few days to rest and recover.
Saying no might not come naturally to you, but it’s important to get used to it.
Remember – you’re no good to anyone if you’re exhausted and suffering from burnout, so you owe it to yourself and others to look after yourself and turn down requests when needed!
11) Use technology wisely
Did you know that technology can make your life much easier?
Whether it’s using an online planner to organize yourself, or a task management app to ensure you stay on top of all your projects, technology can be used to your advantage!
You may find that by streamlining your work into one central space online, you find it easier to delegate tasks, carve out downtime, and generally manage your work-life balance better.
12) Foster a supportive work environment
Now, if you really want to achieve harmony in your daily routine, why not get your colleagues on board too?
It’ll make it much easier if everyone is working towards the same goal!
And the easiest way to do this?
Start talking about the importance of a work-life balance. Encourage others on your team to prioritize their health and downtime as much as their work.
Speak to management about putting practices in place i.e., not contacting employees outside of working hours.
If you can make a change for yourself, why stop there? Make your work environment great for everyone!
13) Plan and organize
I already mentioned using technology to help you organize yourself, but it’s worth mentioning that by planning your day and organizing yourself beforehand, you can create a better routine…
For example:
I used to make my lunch in the mornings before work, but I recently started batch cooking on a Sunday night.
This gives me lunch for three days, and I now spend my mornings reading a book or doing some yoga!
14) Reevaluate regularly
And finally, we end up at the point we started with:
There is no perfect routine to achieve harmony.
You will have to keep regularly reevaluating how these steps are improving your quality of life, and adjusting whenever necessary.
But that’s a good thing!
Being adaptable means you’ll be able to maintain a healthy work-life balance, no matter what life throws at you.
