Work Hard, Love Harder: Rebalancing Your Work-Relationship Balance.
If there’s anything being a responsible adult has taught us, it’s the importance of balance. Time management is a skill we learn to develop as we grow older, and it doesn’t just apply to our working lives. After all, along with a demanding career, we also have to juggle our social lives, get enough sleep, cook, maintain relationships and have quality alone time.
Pictured top, the residents of Weatherfield seem to find the best of work and social life. Coronation Street, ITV Granada
Are crazy hours affecting your relationship? It’s not uncommon to feel the pressure of our work and love lives clashing. On one hand, we may have a tough boss to impress or a looming promotion, and then on the other, our relationship may be suffering and intimacy dwindling like a weak flame.
Blurring the lines between work and leisure
According to the Guardian, employees who are working from home over the pandemic are working an additional two hours a day or more due to heavier workloads. The research reported that workers are also having shorter lunch breaks, are expected to work through sickness, and are constantly signed into work communication, exacerbating an “always-on” culture. This is not only an issue on a personal level but also on a relationship level – who doesn’t get irritated when their partner seems to be constantly on their phone, even if it’s answering out-of-office emails?
While some couples have struggled through lockdown from spending too much time together, others simply don’t have enough time to see each other.
How to rebalance your work-love life
Follow these tips to help you rebalance your career and relationship.
Planning ahead
While spontaneity can be the secret to an exciting and happy relationship, if your work life is wreaking havoc on your leisure time, it is a good idea to plan ahead. Make romantic plans or schedule quality time together on certain days and stick to it. Although obviously sometimes you might be hit with a deadline or unforeseen circumstances that desperately needs your attention, make it up to your partner by seeing them on an alternate day rather than letting work totally consume your time.
Prioritise what is most important to you both
Do you really need to attend every single client dinner? Do you really need to bake for every bake sale? Does the house need cleaning at that exact moment? Do you really need to go and visit distant relatives?
Do what makes you both happy – a lot of couples don’t communicate things like this to each other, so it is crucial to understand what feels like quality time. Put your phone down and keep off social media and work emails to stay in the present moment and converse with your partner.
Set boundaries between yourself and work – for example, if you’re going to a romantic dinner, those emails can wait until the morning.
Learn to apologise and forgive
Not every plan you make is going to go ahead. But it’s important not to punish each other for this and instead, give support and communicate. If you’re feeling frustrated or disappointed, that is valid, but holding grudges and staying angry will only strain the relationship more.
Creating a positive environment between you both will nurture a positive relationship. If you find that you are struggling with your workload or are perhaps feeling stressed with work, it might be time to reach out to your boss for guidance or even consider visiting your GP.
Sources: The Guardian ‘Article 24th March 2021‘ / ‘Article ‘4th February 2021‘ Article via Mediaworks / CT Shirts UK.
