Many of us have experienced the “new normal”, working from home since the pandemic hit. You may have had similar feelings as myself about the future and how you would achieve work/life balance and what that would look like.

I will not forget the day I was sent home from my corporate America office with my computer and my files. It feels like yesterday, March 11, 2020. I was told I had 15 minutes to gather my belongings and head home. All I could think about during those 15 minutes was… how could this be happening and how the next 2 weeks were going to be the longest weeks of my life.

Fast forward to March 2021 and I was still working from home and the kids were finishing up their school year via Zoom. Work life had been much more stressful, my mental health was definitely impacted. I was not seeing my co-workers, I had to get adjusted to zoom meetings, and I took on additional volume due to a number of layoffs.

I found myself more disconnected from my family and working longer hours than normal. We were only supposed to be home for 2 weeks, how has it already been a year?! Work/life balance was non-existent at the time and I craved it. I wanted to feel less stressed and more in balance of my emotions and time with my family.

As the months continued to pass, and my anxiety continued to increase, I knew I had to make a change. So after many conversations with my family, I decided to leave corporate America for good. I chose to leave my career of 20+ years to achieve my desires and embrace my creative side. I took what was a 4-hour a week part time entrepreneurship job with my good friend to a full time partnership as a Virtual Assistant. I had never felt so good about a decision and I had an overwhelming excitement for my future. I could picture what my work/life balance would look and feel like.

As I publish this writing, it has been a few months since I changed my career path and I can say my mental health is much more in balance. I have a stable and sustainable way to work while maintaining my health and a general well-being. I am a believer in writing tasks down, schedules, appointments, kids activities, etc. Also, I am OKAY with saying “No”! This has been a huge part of maintaining my healthy work/life balance.

I’ll share some things that have worked for me to achieve the work/life balance I desire. I hope you find them helpful…

• Let go of trying to be perfect and strive for excellence. Stop burning yourself out and over complicating the task. I always strived to be an overachiever, be the first to complete a project, and be the best at it. Can you relate? That mission project in high school, mine, had to be different from anyone else’s. As an adult, I realize now how much more complicated I just made things. As I still want to do well without the stress of perfectionism, I strive for excellence and progress.
• Unplug and be present with the family. Not only will your family thank you, your mental health will too. My life has been managed by technology, I can easily find myself falling into that rabbit whole of social media, news, text messaging. I have chosen to make it a priority to be sure to turn off the technology after 4pm and be present with my family daily.
• Incorporate exercise/movement into your daily routine at least 3-5 days a week. Your mind and body deserve this self care moment. Self care will make all the difference in the outcome of your day. I have taken on a new habit presented by *Mel Robbins.

I have my workout clothes laid out next to my bed, I wake up and don’t even touch or look at my phone. I sit up and say a morning affirmation or devotional to myself and to my faith. I change into my workout clothes and I go look at myself in the mirror and give myself a high five (don’t judge it until you have tried it) and tell myself, “You got this, make this a great day!”. The last step is I will run in place or do jumping jacks for 30 seconds. Get my heart pumping. (This all may sound silly, Mel said the same thing in her book, however this truly starts my day off in such a positive light.) Then I make sure to schedule at least 30 minutes of movement into my day.

I urge you to give one, two or all of them a try… and tell me how it changes your life. I would love to hear about it.

This pandemic has affected all of us differently, and we should find what works for us to live our best selves. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to change my career paths during such a trying time. I understand this may not be possible for everyone, however maintaining a healthy work/life balance is important.

I find giving myself time in the morning and following these 3 steps has made me a more efficient, loving, present wife, mother and partner in my business.

These 3 small changes can make such a difference. I suggest if you are trying to make a change in your life, start small, feel the greatness from just that one small step and build from there.