“Between You and Me” – Work Life Balance

Pre-Covid and before the lockdowns, this was quite difficult for me personally. I work full-time and even when sticking to my contracted hours, the days could still feel very long. Arriving early to work, avoiding traffic and dealing with lengthy peak-time commutes often added significant time to the working day. My usual hours have generally been 9am to 5pm with the occasional job requiring shifts.

To be honest, I found it all exhausting, particularly when one of my previous roles involved a 40-mile journey each way. By the time I got home, I was tired and falling asleep in the evenings. There was also an expectation that employees would put in extra hours, meaning I was often out of the house for at least 13 hours a day.

The work I do is quite specialised, and there are relatively few people with the knowledge and experience required. As a result, my current company/role is based some distance away. Fortunately, modern technology allows me to work remotely from home daily. I can now work a 9-to-5 day without any travel time. I switch on my computer about ten minutes before I start, make a cup of tea, and I’m ready to go. I have a good home office setup, experience very few interruptions, and I can focus on my work effectively.

The result is a much better work-life balance, more free time, and the opportunity to work for a company that genuinely encourages that balance, something that many employers still struggle to achieve. My work-life balance is ideal.