We live in a hustle culture where being productive is king, and work is a priority. According to an article from the New York Times, the headline clearly states that "Yes, Your Job Is Important. But It’s Not All-Important." It reported that most of us have our work frustrations, but the reform we want is not in our hands.
This is why a content creator became viral for being "toxic positive" because she said people shouldn't be sad to go to work. People are supposed to be grateful. Unfortunately, this is not everyone's reality. Most of us are in jobs we hate, and we can't blame those who are "quiet-quitting" as a means of self-preservation.
The NY Times article reminds us to not let our jobs define who we are. But how do you do it? This question has been in my head for months, but I still couldn't deduce my thoughts because I was caught up with work (LOL, how ironic) and life.
During the holiday break, I evaluated my daily routine. I discovered that everything revolved around my career. From sun up to sun down, my editor brain was never switched off. Whenever I would see a social media post or something random during the weekend, I would always think that it would be good for content. I started to worry that I might get burnt out if I don't tell my brain to chill.
For years, I've believed in work-life integration—that my professional and personal life can co-exist in harmony. The caveat with this concept is that sometimes, boundaries become blurred or non-existent, especially if you work remotely. Sometimes, you even find yourself working on your vacation, aka the PAID TIME OFF you're supposed to take a break from your job.
I even had an ~intense~ discussion with someone about why I was so strict with my work boundaries when work-life integration should be the accepted norm. (Context: The other person was on VL and I said that they should have not accepted meeting invites on PTOs. Plus, I also mentioned that their teammates should accept that.) I have to admit that I was triggered and defensive about my stance. I argued that I needed those quiet times during a vacation leave so I can be recharged. For the rest of the year, I consider myself on-call for my job.
Cliché as it may sound, it is true that you cannot pour from an empty cup. Not forgetting who you are beyond your clocked-in hours is the *only* way to survive our toxic hustle culture.
I value my job and my salary—those are facts. But, I need to take care of myself first so I can be a better and more productive ~worker bee~. I can make better decisions and be a more supportive teammate when I am recharged.
A self-care routine doesn't need to be as glamorous as getting facials or manicures. It can be as simple as taking real lunch breaks: eating your food without staring at your computer or reading emails. Stretching your body after every few hours is a form of a break. During your days off, set aside a time block when you need to work if your job is a round-the-clock thing.
Another type of self-care: doing something you really want. Whether it's biking around the city looking for roadside coffee shops or watching your fave K-drama, your battery fills up when you do activities you love. A cool bonus: Engaging in hobbies can also help you discover yourself.
Corporations are businesses. The harsh truth is they don't really care. If you leave, they will just find someone to replace your post. So, don't be that person who is married to their job. You wouldn't want to be attached to someone who doesn't prioritize your well-being, right?
The only individual that you can depend on is yourself. It is your responsibility to make your life meaningful by prioritizing yourself. If you just drown yourself in work, you'll be shocked that life just passed you by. Be present for your family, friends, and partner. They add value to your life that's worth more than the money you earn.
And, if you are a manager, have empathy for your workmates. An empathic leader sees a teammate as a real person: Someone who has a life outside of the workplace. Be mindful of contacting them beyond work hours. Ask yourself: Will sending this message at this ungodly hour versus the next day change our team's performance? If you see an individual underperforming, talk to them without judgment, listen to their needs, and offer the help they need. A leader is there to provide support, not boss around. Your position is capable of making changes in the workplace, even if you just apply it to your team's workflow.
We may not be able to control everything that happens in our workplace, but we can control our actions and reactions.
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READ MORE ABOUT WORK-LIFE HARMONY HERE:
Expert Says: Job Burnout Is *Actually* A Company Problem
Long Hours + Stress: Here's How To Deal With Job Burnout
I Started Biking To Get Over Burnout And It Changed My Life
How Taking A Break From Work Actually Made Me A Better Team Player
