With all the chat about boundaries, quiet quitting, and bare minimum Mondays, it’s clear we’re still trying to navigate the tricky balance of work versus life. After years of being told we can have it all, we’re starting to realise that the result of endless hustle, leaning in and girlbossing is just burnout, resentment and career apathy. Instead, we’re attempting to work out a better way of doing things: one that allows us to invest time and energy into our jobs without them becoming all-consuming. 

But is the concept of an equal balance of work and non-work yet within our reach? According to many women, nope. 

New research from LinkedIn, shared exclusively with Stylist, found that while work-life balance continues to be a top priority for jobseekers, it still feels like a distant dream for many. Of the women surveyed, 45% believe it’s harder to maintain a positive work-life balance than it was 20 years ago, pointing to increased demands at work and ongoing economic uncertainty that makes us feel like we have to be super productive for a sense of security. 

Interestingly, the research found that men are more likely to believe a work-life balance has become easier to maintain: 64% of men think it’s more achievable now than it was 20 years ago. They said that people have more free time to do what they want these days… perhaps because the balance of domestic labour remains firmly tipped in their favour. 

“LinkedIn turns 20 this year, and during this time we’ve seen a huge transformation in the world of work, including changing attitudes towards a work-life balance,” says LinkedIn career expert Charlotte Davies. “Our research shows that this is now the top priority for UK professionals, yet many – particularly women – believe that it’s harder to achieve now compared to 20 years ago, feeling that their jobs are more demanding, alongside the backdrop of economic uncertainty. 

“While achieving a balance isn’t always straightforward, it can do wonders for your productivity, general wellbeing and happiness.”

How can we actually attempt to restore some balance? Davies has some top tips ahead. 

Don’t let tech rule your day

“Advances in technology over the past 20 years have made us more productive and allow for flexible working,” Davies tells us. “On the other hand, being constantly available can make you feel like you need to be ‘always on’, with a blurring of home and work life. To help, set up notification restrictions, consider setting an OOO stating the hours you work, put your laptop away at the end of the work day and switch off from work emails.”

Make self-care a priority 

The basics of self-care aren’t optional; they’re absolutely essential. Make sure you’re taking your health as seriously as your work – if not more so –  and treat it with absolute importance. 

“Look after your physical and mental wellbeing by prioritising healthy practices such as regular exercise, proper nutrition and sufficient sleep,” advises Davies. “Make time for things that help you relax and remember that taking care of yourself is a necessity, not a luxury.”

Get comfortable saying ‘no’

“Over two-fifths (44%) of workers who think it’s more difficult to maintain a positive balance now say that a ‘grind culture’ is one of the key contributors to this,” Davies says. “It can’t always be 100% effort, and knowing when to step up and when to step back will be more beneficial for your career progression than overloading yourself.”

Practise effective time management

Davies advises: “Break down large projects into smaller, manageable tasks and set realistic deadlines for each of them. By effectively managing your time and your co-workers’ expectations, you will get through your to-do list more efficiently and avoid working late. 

“If you want to hone your time management skills, take a look at some of our relevant LinkedIn Learning Courses such as Time Management Fundamentals.”

Schedule regular breaks 

Working flat-out with no pauses is a surefire path to burnout. Make sure you’re taking regular breaks – that means annual leave, yes, but also smaller breaks throughout the work day – to give yourself room to breathe. 

“Stepping away from your desk even for short periods of time can help improve your productivity, focus and overall wellbeing,” notes Davies. “If you spend a lot of time looking at a screen, give your eyes a break by getting out for some fresh air as often as possible. Your career is a marathon not a sprint, and creating healthy daily habits will help you avoid burnout in the long term.”

Images: Getty