The idea of “work-life balance” is an invention of the mid-19th century. The notion of cultivating awareness of one’s work versus one’s pleasure emerged when the word “leisure” caught on in Europe in the Industrial Era. Work became separate from “life” (at least for a certain class of men) and we’ve been struggling to juggle them ever since.
Device-Free Time Is as Important as Work-Life Balance
We carry our phones around everywhere as if they are epi-pens and we all have fatal allergies. Surveys and polls show it’s a global phenomenon: smartphones usage is on the rise, and no time is sacrosanct. In fact, 1 in 10 of us even admits to using our phones in the bathroom. But being always connected has costs: one survey found that 82% of us say that smartphones have hurt our ability to converse with others, and 89% say their devices have resulted in chronic physical pain. Today, when so much work and leisure time involve staring at screens, it’s important to try to set boundaries around technology. Try some small experiments — leave your phone behind when you go to lunch or take a walk, or avoid looking at it first thing in the morning.