I don't get this. This idea that 'work life balance' should mean that the two should be compartmentalised to specific blocks of time seems counterproductive to me. To me it feels like an unnatural way of living. 8 hours in which I should only focus on work, 8 hours I should focus on everything else followed by 8 hours of sleep. I don't think that is how we are supposed to operate. Even the 8 hours of sleep in one block is not natural and a recent invention. Before industrialisation people used to sleep in multiple blocks (wikipedia: polyphasic sleeping)
The idea that you have to be 'on' for 8 hours at a time seems extremely stressful to me. No wonder you need an hour afterwards just to unwind. Interleaving blocks of work and personal time over the day feels much more natural and less stressful to me. WFH makes this possible. If I'm stuck on something, I can do something else for a while, maybe even take a short nap. The ability to focus and do mentally straining work comes in waves for me. Being able to go with my natural flow makes me both happier, more relaxed and more productive.
The key to work/life balance to me is not stricter separation but instead better integration.
> This idea that 'work life balance' should mean that the two should be compartmentalised to specific blocks of time seems counterproductive to me.
Different people are different and can have different preferences.
For me, having different physical spaces helps me focus on work at work and my family at home. When they are the same physical space, both suffer. I'm not saying everyone should feel this way.
Counterpoint: when I "wfh" I end up just sleeping 90% of my work hours and smashing out actual work for the remainder. When I'm in an office I'm productive 70% of my hours and it has nothing to do with accountability, just a proper office environment (and yes I have a work area at home). Regardless of going to office or wfh, I don't have set hours.
The overarching point is everyone is different, ymmv.
I don't get this. This idea that 'work life balance' should mean that the two should be compartmentalised to specific blocks of time seems counterproductive to me. To me it feels like an unnatural way of living. 8 hours in which I should only focus on work, 8 hours I should focus on everything else followed by 8 hours of sleep. I don't think that is how we are supposed to operate. Even the 8 hours of sleep in one block is not natural and a recent invention. Before industrialisation people used to sleep in multiple blocks (wikipedia: polyphasic sleeping)
The idea that you have to be 'on' for 8 hours at a time seems extremely stressful to me. No wonder you need an hour afterwards just to unwind. Interleaving blocks of work and personal time over the day feels much more natural and less stressful to me. WFH makes this possible. If I'm stuck on something, I can do something else for a while, maybe even take a short nap. The ability to focus and do mentally straining work comes in waves for me. Being able to go with my natural flow makes me both happier, more relaxed and more productive.
The key to work/life balance to me is not stricter separation but instead better integration.