The Death of Work-Life Balance: How to Protect Your Peace and Prioritize What Matters in the Hustle Era
by Jill Palmquist
Work-life balance is tough, and for most of us, it’s starting to feel like a thing of the past. Companies are demanding long hours and more hustle. Remote workers are being called back to the office and the ones still at home are stuck in “always on” mode. With layoffs happening left and right, everyone feels the pressure to constantly prove their worth. No surprise we’re all feeling overworked and missing out on the parts of life that actually make it worth living!
Work-life balance might be dead and gone, but work-life harmony is more important than ever. In fact, it’s a must for creating lives of joy and inspiration.
Truthfully, most of us need to work, and many of us want to! Purposeful work challenges us, grows us, and lets us contribute to the world. But time is still our most precious resource, and work should be in harmony with our lives, not consuming them.
Achieving work-life harmony starts with recognizing that work, joy, movement, and passion don’t have to compete. They can coexist, but that shift begins in the mind. If you’re not looking for joy in your workday, you might never see it. When we become more intentional about living each moment fully, bright spots begin to appear—often in the most unexpected places.
Try these tips to find the work-life harmony you really crave:
Fall in love (or fall back in love) with what you do. You spend a significant chunk of your life at work, so you’d better find a way to love something about it. Take a moment to think about how your job connects to your deeper values. Does it help others? Does it challenge you in ways that make you grow? Does it fuel your sense of purpose?
If you can’t find joy in the work itself, then find a way to connect your role to what you care about. Even small shifts can make a big difference.
Connect your work to your talents and passions. Don’t love your job? Don’t worry, there’s always room to reshape it. Ask yourself: How can I make this more aligned with what I care about and what I’m good at? For example, if you’re an excellent writer, offer to manage your company’s blog. If sustainability fuels your fire, raise your hand for the green committee or lead an Earth Day campaign. This is a chance to infuse your work with passion—and gain a sense of purpose and visibility along the way.
Consider making a career change—when it’s right. In a world that exists in a time of unprecedented change, adaptability is a gift. And now more than ever, it’s a necessity. If your current job feels like it’s completely out of alignment and is draining you more than it’s energizing you, maybe it’s time for a change. While work can be an obligation, it should also feed your sense of purpose and contribute to your happiness. If it’s not doing that, don’t be afraid to explore what else is out there. You deserve a role that aligns with your skills, values, and passions. Find that thing. That thing you can’t wait to do. That thing that has you jumping out of bed in the morning.
It’s always helpful to ask the big-picture questions when thinking about a big life change. How will you move through your life? Who will you be? What will you do? Let your answers guide you toward your next step.
Unapologetically remove the time-wasters. It’s time to eliminate distractions that drain your energy. Doomscrolling, endless unproductive meetings, pointless emails—these are the things that eat up precious hours of your day. Prioritize your time like your life depends on it—because, honestly, it does. Be mindful of where your attention goes and eliminate what doesn’t serve your work or your wellbeing.
Take (and make) micro-moments of joy. Don’t wait for a vacation or a long weekend to feel “alive.” Joy doesn’t need to be reserved for special occasions; it can be found in everyday moments. A quick chat with a colleague, a surprise moment of inspiration, or even a quiet cup of coffee can inject light into your day. Take those experiences and savor them. Life’s happiness is measured out in small bursts of joy—so be intentional about catching them. And always remember: You attract what you think about. Look for joy and it will find you.
Move each day, no matter what. Remember, movement is a human need, not a luxury. It should be a non-negotiable part of every day. Our bodies weren’t made to sit for eight hours straight, and a sedentary lifestyle doesn’t just make us stiff; it makes us sluggish. Prioritize movement like it’s non-negotiable. (Movement is medicine, after all.) Take the stairs, walk during calls, stretch in the morning, or stand while you work. Remember, there are two requirements for movement. 1. You do it. 2. You continue to do it.
Do the things you love when you have time off. When you’re off the clock, truly unplug and recharge. Go outside and see how an unexpected encounter with a single patch of sunlight can change your life. Really listen to your child as they tell you about their day. Take a hike. Read a book. Travel to a beautiful place with someone you love.
Don’t forget to rest. Lives of movement and momentum require time to recharge. This means not only taking time off work for vacations, leaves of absence, and sabbaticals when they are needed (and well deserved), but also resting adequately every day. Create a winddown ritual to help you get quality sleep that refreshes and prepares you for another busy day. Do some gentle stretches, sip tea, and get cozy so you’ll be ready for a night of sweet dreams.
Feeling overwhelmed? Go to that place. That place where you remember who you really are. Work can sometimes create feelings of overwhelm, stress, and discomfort. That’s totally normal. But when that happens, don’t ignore your emotions. Take a moment, give yourself grace, and feel. Taking time to reconnect with yourself can help you regain perspective.
Take a time-out to fill your tank when you’re depleted, stressed, or anxious. Even taking two minutes to breathe deeply before you go into a meeting can have a big impact on how you feel.
The key is not to escape work, outsmart our current hustle culture, or find a balance that doesn’t exist, but rather to make it work for you. Prioritize what matters, eliminate distractions, and bring more of yourself into your day. When work, movement, rest, and joy coexist, you’ll discover that true fulfillment doesn’t come from working harder—it comes from working smarter, with intention, and with heart.
Jill Palmquist is a celebrated author, engaging speaker, and VP/chief storytelling officer at Life Time. Jill’s message isn’t about personal development or leadership in the traditional sense—it’s about living fully, joyfully, and as your true, unique self. Jill has spent over 20 years helping Life Time evolve into a beloved brand that has redefined the health club industry. Along the way, she’s been inspired by its millions of members and gathered insights, wisdom, and stories that illuminate what it means to live a healthy, happy life. Her book, aptly titled In This Lifetime, is a manifesto that will help you notice, appreciate, and enjoy the beauty of being alive, give a gentle nudge to the brevity…and offer simple suggestions for making the most of this whole human experience. Wise Ink, September 2024, ISBN: 978-1-63489-689-4, $105.00) is available from Life Time, Inc.
