Why ‘Wok Life Balance’ Is A Scam
Let’s be honest: the whole ‘work-life balance’ thing is a scam. There, I said it. Some productivity guru, probably drinking an oat milk latte and wearing an alarming amount of beige, came up with this idea that we should all split our time neatly between our jobs and our actual lives. The only problem? It’s impossible. And honestly, a little boring.
I learned this the hard way. There was a time when I believed I could clock out at 5:00 PM, hit a yoga class, have a cute little homemade dinner, and then read a novel before bed like some kind of Pinterest board come to life. Reality check: by 7:30 PM, I was eating sushi takeout at my desk, trying to answer emails with one hand while flicking through Friday night Instagram stories with the other. And let’s not even talk about the pile of laundry I know will give me judgmental side-eye when I get home.
Here’s the deal, work-life balance assumes that work and life are two separate things, like oil and water. But in reality, they’re more like gin and questionable decisions: inextricably linked. The pressure to “balance” them only sets us up for failure. So instead of chasing an unattainable equilibrium, I say we aim for something else: work-life rhythm.
Work-life rhythm is about flow, not division. It’s about recognising that some days, work will take over your life (hello, 12-hour deadline crunch), and other days, life will demand centre stage (like when your best friend has a breakup emergency and suddenly, margaritas are a priority). It’s about leaning into the ebb and flow, rather than stressing about some imaginary perfect split.
Ditch the guilt, ladies. There will be days when you work late and days when you abandon your inbox to go sit in the sun like a lazy lizard. Both are valid. Stop apologising for being a human with fluctuating energy levels.
Not everything is urgent. Some things are just loud. Learn to tell the difference, and you’ll save yourself from running in circles. Pro tip: If it’s not making you money, improving your health, or bringing you joy, maybe it doesn’t need to be on your to-do list.
If your day is going to be a whirlwind, at least make it a fabulous one. Blast music while answering emails, light a fancy candle at your desk, take a dramatic 3-minute break to stare out the window like a mysterious heroine in a novel. Make it fun where you can.
Stop measuring yourself against instagram productivity queens. If Karen from LinkedIn posts about her “5 AM meditation, marathon run, and green smoothie” routine one more time, I will personally stage an intervention. Some people thrive on structure; some of us are just trying to keep our plants alive. Both are fine.
Rest isn’t just a reward for being productive, it’s a necessity. You don’t have to ‘earn’ a break. Take a nap if you need to. Watch that guilty pleasure reality show. Stare at the ceiling for 20 minutes while contemplating life’s big questions (or just what to have for dinner). Rest is part of the rhythm, not an afterthought.
Instead of trying to compartmentalise work and life, think of ways they can complement each other. If you’re stuck on a work problem, go for a walk and let your mind wander. If you’re tired of staring at spreadsheets, switch to a creative task. Productivity doesn’t always mean chaining yourself to a desk for eight hours straight.
TInstead of breaking ourselves trying to “balance” work and life, we should be building a rhythm that actually makes sense for us. Some weeks will be all about career moves, others about personal time, and that’s okay. Life isn’t a perfect split, it’s a beautifully chaotic dance, and the best thing we can do is learn the steps our way.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have an email to ignore and a glass of wine to pour. Priorities, you know?
