Musings on Life Balance (Not Work-Life Balance)
By Nancy Zwiers
People in my circles are quibbling over terminology: is it Work-Life Balance or is it Work-Life Integration? Both terms imply that work is not a part of life, which of course is not the case. Evolution requires all living things to make a livelihood. These terms also might imply that our work and our life are on equal footing, but work is just one part of life. Taking a step back, I’m advocating for “Life Balance” as the term of choice.
Our lives are multi-faceted and balancing the many facets is no small feat. Let’s face it: It’s not really a dyad (x vs x) when there are so many different facets competing for our precious time and attention: work tasks, work relationships, rest/relaxation, recreation, health, family (partners/spouses, children, grandchildren, parents, siblings), friends, social circles, local community, citizens, environment, travel, volunteerism, personal finances, etc. We all subconsciously execute a complicated balancing act every day, one that evolves as we move through various life stages.
I submit that balancing all of life’s demands in concert with our values is fundamental to achieving a sense of well-being. Given its complexity and importance, maybe the concept of Life Balance deserves more thoughtfulness on our part?
Of course, there is no magic bullet here, no single right answer (darn!). For sure, life balance strategies differ greatly not only by life stage and values, but also by gender, marital status, parental status, and more. Here are a few musings that might help you jumpstart a personal inquiry into your own Life Balance strategies.
Bottom-line, Life Balance is the holy grail of happiness, contentment, and well-being. Its worth our time to become as thoughtful as possible about the choices we make...in each stage of our lives.
Rachele Harmuth: Overcoming Obstacles with MESH Helps
Andy Keimach: Toy Safety Every Day of the Year
NOMINATIONS FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR THE 2024 TOY & GAME INTERNATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS ARE OPEN!
Eco-Lasting Play: How Toy Companies are Putting Sustainability into Practice
Book Review: It's Not All Fun & Games by Mark Flitman
Game Review: Apples to Apples
Kim Vandenbroucke Talks Her Inventing Career on Hidden Role Podcast
Game Review: Sorry!
Sky Castle Toys Announces the Launch of Sticki Rolls- The Ultimate Wearable, Sharable Sticker Experience!
Seven Town's Eleanor Black: Why You Should Always Try the Tea Cozy On
Randy Klimpert Shares his Ukulele Collection
Steve Casino Peanut Art
Everyone's Talking about POP!
Princess Etch - a Multi-Talented Etch A Sketch Artist
Joseph Herscher of Joseph' s Machines.
Bob Fuhrer... Is THE Crocodile Dentist!
Tom Dusenberry... Bought Atari, Wizards of the Coast, and Avalon Hill!
Matt Leacock created Pandemic... the game!
Scott Brown and Tim Swindle... are Launching a New Sport!
Daryl Andrews says... "GO TO CONVENTIONS!"
POPDuo: Richard Dickson, Mattel’s President & COO, and Kedar Narayan, Young Inventor Challenge AMB
POPDuo: Will Shortz and Josh Wardle
POP Duo: Elan Lee, Co-Founder, Exploding Kittens.and Jeff Probst, Host and Exec Producer, Survivor
POP Duo: David Fuhrer, MNG Director, Blue Sq Innovations & Shawn Green, past Dodgers & Mets MLB Star
POP Duo: Bob Fuhrer, Founder, Nextoy and Tom Fazio, Golf Course Designer