Work-Life Balance during Transition

The shift from a fulfilling career to retirement is much more complex than simply "stopping work." I recently came across an article from Harvard Business Review that explores the profound challenges and rewarding opportunities that come with retirement, offering insights not just for those preparing to retire, but for anyone undergoing significant life changes. The article presents two contrasting stories: Irene, who seamlessly aligned her post-retirement life with her new identity as a beach-loving artist, and Lawrence, who struggled with a lack of structure and purpose, leading to unintended consequences. Both stories illustrate a powerful lesson: Crafting a satisfying retirement takes thoughtful effort and reflection. It's not enough to walk away from a career; one must actively design a new life structure that aligns with one's evolving sense of self. From my own experiences, I've learned that successful transitions, whether into retirement or other major life phases, require: ▶️ Alignment between who we are and how we structure our days. ▶️ Awareness of the dynamics between our identity and our activities. ▶️ Agency to make intentional changes that encourage satisfaction. ▶️ Adaptability to adjust to unforeseen challenges. For anyone approaching a life transition, I recommend reading this article. It underscores that retirement, like any major life shift, demands self-awareness, preparation, and a willingness to redefine what fulfillment looks like. By thoughtfully navigating this transition, retirees can avoid the pitfalls of stagnation and instead embrace a new chapter of growth.

After 28 years of commuting to school, I thought I understood work-life balance. I was wrong. For nearly three decades, I had clear boundaries. Work happened there. Home happened here. Now my office is down the hall. Here's what nobody warned me about: "I can work whenever I want" slowly became "I'm working all the time." A quick email between dinner and dessert. Strategy sessions while everyone else watches TV. Client communications on Sunday afternoon. It's getting unhealthy, and I'm aware enough to recognize it—even if I haven't figured out how to fix it yet. When you work at a school, the structure is built in. Bell schedules create natural boundaries. But when you're building a business? When every email could be the next client? The boundaries dissolve. Here's what I wish I'd known on day one: → Create physical boundaries, even at home → Set actual working hours → Build transition rituals to replace your commute The irony? I spent 28 years helping students set healthy boundaries. Now I'm struggling to do the same for myself. So here's my question: If you work from home, how do you maintain boundaries? What guardrails have actually worked? I'm still figuring this out. But I figured it was worth sharing the messy middle. #WorkFromHome #Entrepreneurship #WorkLifeBalance

‘Work-life balance is your problem, not the employer’s responsibility’. I winced when Skims CEO Emma Grede said this a recent interview. It’s rough to hear this sentiment expressed so bluntly in 2025. It feels like a slap in the face to those working hard to balance professional ambition with meaningful family presence. But honestly? I’m glad she said it out loud. Loads of employers feel exactly this way. They're just not bold enough to admit it in print. The reality is that most employers prioritize business results over your personal wellbeing. That doesn’t mean work-life alignment is dead. But waiting for your employer to hand it to you is a mistake. The sustainable path forward isn't hoping your company culture changes. It's taking ownership of your own professional stamina. — I exclusively coach women balancing big jobs and small kids. These are 5 things that I’ve seen work to align work and life: 1/ Set your boundaries ↳ Your time and attention are your most precious resources. ↳ Define your non-negotiables and communicate them with calm confidence. This isn't selfish—it's essential for sustainable success. 2/ Build your support system ↳ Cultivate relationships with mentors, peers, coaches and allies who understand your dual commitments. ↳This community is both a sounding board and board of advisors. 3/ Manage energy, not just time ↳ Protect your peak productivity hours at work like they're gold. ↳ Create a transition ritual that helps you be truly present when you're with your family—your children deserve your engaged attention, not just your physical presence. (P.S. I've got a great template for this, see the Resources section.) 4/ Leverage your wins ↳ Document your accomplishments and the value you create. ↳ Outstanding performance earns you the capital to negotiate for the flexibility you need during critical family moments. 5/ Practice strategic deflection ↳ Saying yes to everything dilutes your impact. ↳ Learn to decline low-value commitments with grace so you can focus on high-impact priorities—both at work and at home. The conversation about work-life balance certainly benefits from nuance. But let this CEO's blunt statement be a reminder: Employers see your professional stamina as your responsibility. Plan your next move accordingly. —— Hi, 👋 I'm Shawna, founder of The Mental Offload. I talk about women’s leadership, sustainable productivity, and achieving success on an unequal playing field. ♻️ Found this helpful? Repost to help others. 🔔 Follow Shawna Samuel for more.

This one shift kept me steady during my career transitions. (it wasn’t working harder, it wasn’t being perfect.) It was learning to manage my energy like it was my most valuable asset. In 90 days, it changed everything: • clearer decisions • faster recovery from setbacks • more creativity • more resilience under pressure • actual momentum, not just random effort Here’s 6 steps to manage your energy like a pro during big transitions: 1. 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀    - track what drains you and what energises you daily. 2. 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀    - schedule deep work when your energy is highest. 3. 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗻𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘀    - give yourself downtime, not just when you crash. 4. 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁    - full rest days are part of success, like meetings 5. 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹    - but take small, consistent micro-steps daily. 6. 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀    - growth isn’t linear, energy management gives you staying power. Sometimes it feels harder or takes longer than it should Not because you’re not capable But because you’re leaking energy in places that don't serve your real goals. Manage your energy → master your transition. ♻️ repost to help others manage their energy during big career transitions

Over the past weekend, my family celebrated a significant milestone as we gathered to celebrate the college graduation of my eldest daughter, Abby. It was a moment filled with happiness and pride, and I couldn't help but reflect on the importance of being present for the crucial moments in our families’ lives. Looking ahead, we have another milestone on the horizon - the high school graduation of my younger daughter, Riley, in June. As I balance my work commitments with personal responsibilities, I am reminded of the constant juggling act many of us face.   To be there for my family during these important events, I had to decline two important work meetings, including one that was overseas. This experience reinforced to me the importance of finding a way to integrate your work and your personal life so that it works for you. Each of us encounters moments where we must evaluate our priorities and decide where we are needed most. In this situation, I needed to be there wholeheartedly for my family, so I had to opt out of the work meetings and find other solutions to cover the work.    Finding a balance between work obligations and personal needs can be hard. I think many of us struggle to find what works best, and it is a constant battle as work and personal obligations clash.  As we strive for better work-life balance, it is crucial to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Here are a few lessons I've learned along the way: - Prioritize: Identify what truly matters in your personal and professional life. Let your values guide your decisions. - Communication: Open and honest communication is key. Speak up and discuss your commitments and expectations with your manager, colleagues, and loved ones. - Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. Learn to say no when necessary and set realistic expectations. - Support System: Foster a supportive network at work and home. Delegate where it makes sense, collaborate with your team and seek help when needed. - Self-Care: Prioritize self-care to maintain physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Take the time to recharge and rejuvenate.   Work-life balance is an ongoing journey, and it may look different for each of us. For me, it’s about trusting my gut (and my colleagues!), speaking up and adapting as circumstances evolve. I’m proud of the choices I’ve made and that my company supported them every step of the way. Together, we can create an environment where personal and professional growth can thrive. #MerckProud #WorkLifeBalance #FamilyMilestones #SupportingEachOther

‼️ I was asked how to balance work and homelife during these times of uncertainty and employees are working over time to make up for the restructuring of many companies.‼️ ▶️ I will start with a personal story of my 2023. I was moved positions from recruiting in North American to EMEA. I was asked to do this as a fixer to implement a new process and to get the red alert countries under control. ▶️ This caused me to shift my hours to 430a-3 in order to be closer to my clients timezone. I was also in a battle with the buisness rolling out a brand new program causing many high level discussions and hard conversations. We also use our personal phones for work so my email and teams is always available. ▶️ It took about 1 year before I started noticing I was stressed all the time. I was tired all the time and my personal life suffered because I was on a different schedule then my friends and husband. What did I do to balance work and home? ▶️ I decided to set up boundaries around work. I turned off my alerts on my phone and put teams on do not disturb. I also changed my hours back to US hours which led to a better mental health. I work my 40 hours and remember it's just a job. I have always been career driven and a top achiever so giving myself this permission felt weird, but it worked. ▶️ I now have boundaries set which allow me to have a work life and personal life. I never knew how important boundaries were and finding the best balance for yourself. I spend a lot of time with my nieces and nephews as I have no children and now because of my boundaries I get to spend the evenings with them and have the energy to play with them. ▶️ This could be said for #jobseekers. Looking for a job is a full time job and you need to set boundaries. Create a schedule of when you work and when you fulfill your cup. ❤️ Morale of the story, set boundaries and remember to fill your cup with joy and happiness or mentally you will end up burnt out and depressed. 🛑If this is something you relate to or have different ideas, I would love to hear them. Please Like, Share and Comment on how we can create work life balance. #hiring #opentowork #employed #worklifebalance #workers #layoff

About 10 years ago, I started my paternity leave. It was an exhilarating time, yet tinged with a single, nagging worry: How could I possibly return to work? At home, I had two precious little girls. We were bonding so profoundly. And then, one day, I would need to leave them and return to the corporate grind. That was a daunting thought. My initial strategy was simple—avoid thinking about the inevitable return. But then it all happened, and it was okay. For those facing the return to work, here are my tips: 🔸 If you have a partner, 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 about how life will look when you return to work. 🔸 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬, including folks in your workplace, to find out how they managed the transition. 🔸 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬 —start this before you come back to work. 🔸 𝐁𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥: Seek as much support as possible, whether it's from family, friends, or professional services. 🔸 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 if things aren’t falling into place immediately—it will take time. 🔸 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞. Remember, running on empty benefits no one—not as a parent, partner, or employee. 🔸 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬. You may find your workplace more accommodating than you expect. 🔸 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭, 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐞, 𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐲. Acknowledge that these emotions are natural but counterproductive. Most importantly, 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟. You're not alone; many have navigated this transition successfully before you. -------------- #misharuwellbeing #WorkLifeBalance #CareerAndFamily

As someone deeply immersed in the dynamic world of software engineering, I've often pondered the age-old question: How do we strike the right balance between our professional and personal lives? 🤔💻🌳 Here are a few strategies that have proven invaluable on my journey: 1️⃣ Prioritize and Plan: Start by clearly defining your priorities both at work and in your personal life. This could involve setting goals for both realms and creating a schedule that aligns with your values. 2️⃣ Effective Time Management: Master time management techniques to boost productivity. Tools like the Pomodoro Technique or time-blocking can help you stay focused during work hours, leaving room for personal pursuits. 3️⃣ Establish Boundaries: It's crucial to set boundaries between work and personal time. Define when your workday ends and commit to unplugging. This ensures you're mentally present for your loved ones and personal interests. 4️⃣ Use Technology Wisely: Leverage technology to your advantage. Utilize project management tools to streamline tasks at work, and also consider digital well-being apps to help you detach from your devices during leisure. 5️⃣ Invest in Self-Care: A healthy mind and body are essential for sustained success. Regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and moments of mindfulness can rejuvenate your energy levels, making you more effective in both spheres. 6️⃣ Learn to Say No: While enthusiasm for work is commendable, it's crucial to recognize your limits. Politely decline additional tasks if they jeopardize your work-life balance. Remember, quality often outweighs quantity. 7️⃣ Continuous Communication: Keep the lines of communication open with your colleagues, superiors, and family. Discuss expectations and any challenges you may face in maintaining equilibrium. A supportive network can make a world of difference. Achieving the perfect balance is an ongoing journey, and it's unique to each individual. It's about finding what works best for you and adapting as circumstances evolve. Let's connect: Ankit Kumar : ) #worklifebalance #lifeatgoogle #softwareengineer #productmanagement #careergrowth #careerdevelopment #lifehacks #workforwin

How can you achieve some balance while onboarding at a new job? Starting a new job typically requires a spike in hours, pressure, and often a considerable change to your life routine. This is an understatement for my first 3 weeks, as my new role has been all consuming for me (although you guys might think I just post on LinkedIn all day). There are a few things I have been doing that have made the transition easier and the balance feel somewhat sustainable. - Wake up early, so I can start each morning with a workout (because there is no way it's happening at night) - Log off in the evening for dinner and some uninterrupted family time - After logging back on, end the day completing each priority I set out to accomplish, and get to zero inbox (aka don't start the next day behind) - After work is done, organize yourself for the morning. For me that's a full cleanup of the house, preparing my breakfast and lunch, and packing kids bags for school... ... and while I'm doing this, I'm multitasking and listening to phone calls, or catching up on a recorded meeting I missed I've been really good so far about sticking to these principles, and I'm feeling ramped up in at work, and still energized about life more broadly. What do you do to promote balance when you're working long hours?