From Hustle to Chill: My Ex-Workaholic Era
At a recent event, someone asked me a question that really hit home: How did I go from being a total workaholic to finally finding balance? In this podcast episode, I’m excited to share my story on how I’ve become a “retired workaholic.”
Being a workaholic often involves a strong dedication to work, but it can come at the expense of personal well-being, relationships, and time with family, including our toddler.
Transitioning from a workaholic mindset to a balanced lifestyle involves embracing your role and living life more completely. From hustle culture to a healthier, more sustainable pace, and slowing down.
“If you don’t get the things you think you should get, continuously work as hard and as smart as you can within the bounds.”
How to Maintain a Balanced Lifestyle
1)Recognize the Problem
It is about recognizing the impact that overworking has had on our life, whether it's health, connection with someone, or mental health . Recognize that perpetual hustle is not sustainable. Because success does not have to imply endless activity. Reframe it to incorporate personal happiness, time with loved ones, and self-care.
2)Set Boundaries
Set tight work hours and stick to them. When the workday finishes, it's over. No checking email after hours. Also have a family time which is setting aside designated blocks of time for family activities. These moments generate memories and allow us to refresh emotionally.
3) Self-care
Have a regular exercise, get enough sleep, and maintain a healthy diet. Taking care of the body can boost energy and mood. While practicing mindfulness or meditation to help calm the mind. Taking moments of stillness helps shift the focus away from work to personal and rediscover hobbies and activities that can make us feel fulfilled outside of work. This could be anything from cooking to reading or gardening.
4) Be Present with Your Family
Spend uninterrupted, playful moments with your loved ones. Whether it's with your partner, children, or extended family, everyone thrives on engagement. It's a great way to relax, be present, and build deeper connections. Creating tech-free time at home, where we disconnect from our phones and laptops, allows us to truly focus on quality time with those who matter most.
5)Focus on Outcomes, Not Hours
Productivity isn't about clocking hours. Prioritize efficiency and work smarter. When you get work done efficiently, we create space for rest. Having a delegation of tasks at work is also trusting others with tasks and don’t feel the need to micromanage or take on everything on ourselves. It's essential to understand that the world won’t collapse without your constant involvement.
6)Embrace the Joy of Slowing Down
Slow mornings, time with a toddler, a quiet cup of coffee, or an evening walk. Learning to find joy in these small moments will help you embrace a "chill" lifestyle. Another thing is to celebrate small wins because not every achievement has to be monumental. Celebrate the daily victories, whether it’s finishing a project on time or having a great afternoon with people whom we loved.
7)Mindset Shift
Perfectionism is a driving force in hustle culture. Instead, accept that "good enough" is frequently just that: good enough. This is applicable to both job and parenting. There may be times when you feel tempted to overwork, but remember why we made the change. Guilt is unproductive; embrace your new pace.
“Having a workaholic mindset is not a bad thing but it shouldn’t be the thing that defines your worth as a person. Because it shouldn’t.”