Work Life Balance -- Definable?

I know I'm pretty young in my career; I'm really just getting my feet wet. This transition into the real world has made me quite attune to some of the 'intricacies' of the working world that might become the status quo for those who've been at it for longer.

Work life balance is a concept I'm carefully studying. I love examining people's approaches to their careers and their personal life...there are so many ways to approach it that can lead to equally fulfilling lives.

I'll share a few memorable moments that have helped shape my questions:

- Today I was talking about hobbies with a woman who has had a quite successful career. She mentioned that she really never got into any interests because she was so committed to her work. My initial reaction was one of sadness -- how could work be it? Afterwards I then questioned my automatic assumption that her work couldn't provide her all the fulfillment she needed. I started to think about this strange world we live in -- the pressure/stress people feel at work and also the potential pressure people feel to have a list of hobbies/activities to make life interesting. If someone finds so much meaning in the work that they do that they devote their 'life' to it, should that not be celebrated? Is there a level of healthy workaholism?


A really brilliant colleague of mine shared a secret tip with me. At the end of each week she examines her spirit, reflecting on where she is at as a human being. This seemed like such a simple exercise, yet so powerful. And I think it holds the answer to my question about achieving work-life balance. I think by putting our working life and non-work life into separate boxes, we've artificially constructed this separation of self. Really, at the end of the day does it matter whether we are paid to find our oomph or if it comes from volunteering or other activities? Somedays I know my spirit soars from work (I'm really lucky that way), other days it's from spending time with family or friends...other days I get it on a run.

Anyway, today I was just reminded of how often we are hit with conflicting messages (work hard but don't work too hard) and become stressed out about scheduling in the 'stress relief' that we're told we need!

What I'm taking from today: Don't let life become a massive to do list, where even 'spirit lifting' activities become a chore. Do what energizes you -- and if that's work and YOU feel balanced, that's fine!