How To Build A Healthy Barrier Between Work And Personal Life

One of the most challenging things to do as an entrepreneur, or even someone who works for an employer, would be work-life balance. You’re trying to focus on age-related energy levels while still handling the world on your shoulders. The average person struggles with this, and it seems like each year, there’s this push that your profession is your identity. When you’re a kid, you’re pushed to discover the career you want; you’re pushed in college to go ahead and identify with that career, and then eventually, that career engulfs you. 

When you’re a kid, you’re often asked what you want to be when you grow up; in college, you’re asked what you want to do with your career, and as a working professional, one of the first questions you’re asked from a stranger is what you do for work. It’s like you’re a worker first and a person second. 

But it shouldn’t be that way. While society is constantly shaping and pushing for your value and worth to be based solely on your work and even getting to the point that you’re expected to be available after hours, you should never resort to this. So, here is how you can create a healthy barrier between your work and your personal life. 

It All Starts with Setting Boundaries

You need to create boundaries for yourself; it’s all going to start with doing this. Boundaries help create a physical and emotional separation between you and others. They help you prioritize your needs and support a healthy work-life balance. They also help you manage stress and avoid burnout. It can be challenging to set and maintain boundaries, especially in the workplace. But, if you learn to set and stick to them, it can improve your productivity, health, and happiness. If you own your own business, then you 100% need to create some strong boundaries for yourself. 

So, why do you actually set boundaries? It’s not exactly as easy as just telling yourself you’re going to do it; it’s honestly going to be something that takes a lot of time. So, to set your boundaries, start by writing down your non-negotiables. Then, consider your aspirations — the goals you hope to achieve but might be willing to compromise on. This will allow you to find the right balance between hard and soft boundaries. 

But this is with yourself, of course. If you have employees, coworkers, or even a manager (if you work for an employer), you’re also going to need to set boundaries with them. If they don’t care or not respecting it, then you’re going to have to find another job or fire them from your business if you’re the one who owns the business. 

Never Overshare

If you own a business and you’re the only one that works for said business, then this isn’t going to be an issue at all. But whether you own one and have employees or if you work for an employer, it’s best to abide by this. Many people overshare because they want to feel understood or connected to others. If you find yourself regularly sharing more than you’re comfortable with, consider if you have any oversharing triggers. 

It may be helpful to work with a mental health professional who can help you understand your triggers and develop coping mechanisms. It’s best not to share your feelings or your personal feelings about what’s happening in your personal life. While it seems and feels stern, you need to separate the two and share your feelings with loved ones in your personal life, not your professional life. 

Your Health is Everything

This goes for both physically and mentally! You need to put your health first. In fact, this is the biggest reason why you need to create this barrier and have more balance in your life. Your work shouldn’t engulf you. So, when you get home, why not indulge in THCA, take a warm bath, keep away from your phone or home office, and just do things that make you happy and keep you connected with yourself? Remember who you are, and remember that you’re not your job; you’re more than that. 

Saying No is Okay

It’s okay to say no to employees, coworkers, higher-ups, clients, etc. It’s entirely okay, and you should never feel bad about it. Often, the reason people find it hard to say no is because of a fear of disappointing others. However, saying no to requests and obligations is a necessary skill for maintaining healthy boundaries. Honestly, you can’t expect to create boundaries for yourself and live a healthy life if you’re not doing this for yourself. You seriously need to learn how to say no.

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