Work Life balance - do you need it?

7 min read

There is always a constant discussion/debate over social media. Do folks (especially young folks) aim for work-life balance or not?

In this blog, I will share my views/opinion. Please read it for fun and pick only those parts which relate to you.

What WLB is NOT

Before I share my story, let me be clear. Work-life balance does not mean being lazy. It doesn't mean you don't care about your career. It doesn't mean you coast through your job doing the bare minimum.

WLB means being intentional. It means you give your 100% during work hours and then you switch off. It means you don't sacrifice your health, your relationships, and your peace for a company that will replace you in two weeks.

The people who mock WLB usually confuse "working smart" with "not working hard enough." That's their problem, not yours.

Do we need work life balance?

Yes, 100%. In my 20s, I worked "very hard" at one of my companies. There were no weekends, no public holidays. I used to stay late, 10:30 PM to 11:00 PM in office, and then used to work from home. Next day, back to office at 8:30 AM in Gurgaon.

What I got? I was on a hospital bed. I got 1 promo and the hike was okayish, but when I was on my death bed... promo/hike doesn't matter.

I joined back and told my managers I want work-life balance. Apparently, my feedback was messed up and they forced me to leave the project.

What I learned? I was working hard not for me but for managers and the company. The day I was not of their use, they didn't hesitate to push me out of projects.

So, next time when someone tells you, work hard and don't think about WLB, look at their profile. They must be a founder, or at a leadership position who needs people to work "for" their dream and profit.

What I wish I told my 20s self

If I could go back and talk to the version of me who was staying till 11 PM in that office in Gurgaon, I would say:

  • That promo you are killing yourself for? It won't matter when you are on a hospital bed.

  • The manager you are trying to impress? They won't even remember your name in 2 years.

  • Your health is not a renewable resource. Once it breaks, it takes years to rebuild.

  • No company is worth your mental and physical health. Not one.

  • Start learning for yourself, not for the company. Your skills are yours. The company's project is theirs.

I wish someone had told me this. So I am telling you.

But if we won't work hard then how will we learn?

You can have WLB and learning too. You don't need to be dependent on the company for self-learning. All you need is just a few hours after or before work. In fact, 30 mins would be good to keep you consistent.

With all resources available over the internet and now with AI, self-learning is very easy. Build your project, build your brand, and do your own PR.

Since I left that toxic company, I always make sure to leave in the evening on time, never work on weekends. However, there was once a company I joined which required USA-based calls. I learned my lesson here. I want to have very few calls weekly post 6:00 PM.

So, I made my mind to check these things in interviews going forward.

Going to your manager and sharing that you want WLB and don't want to get into the USA calls. They will take it against you.

How to negotiate WLB in interviews

After my experiences, I started checking for WLB during interviews itself. Here are the things I ask or look for:

  • "What are the typical working hours?" If the answer is vague or they say "we are flexible" with a smile, that's a red flag.
  • "Are there any after-hours calls or on-call expectations?" Especially important if the team works across time zones.
  • "How does the team handle urgent issues after work hours?" This tells you if "urgent" means every other day.
  • Check Glassdoor reviews. Filter for WLB-related reviews. If multiple people mention late hours, believe them.
  • Ask the team, not just the hiring manager. Managers will sell you the dream. The team will tell you the reality.
  • "What does a typical day look like for someone in this role?" If they can't describe it without saying "it depends," be cautious.

You have every right to ask these questions. If a company judges you for asking about WLB, that's the answer right there.

The guilt phase

Nobody talks about this. But when you first start enforcing boundaries, you feel guilty. I did.

Leaving at 6 PM when others are still at their desks. Not replying to that Slack message at 9 PM. Saying no to a weekend deployment. It feels wrong at first.

You start wondering. Am I not committed enough? Will they think I don't care? Am I falling behind?

That guilt is real and it takes time to get over it. But here's what I learned. No one noticed. Seriously. No one sent me a message saying "why did you leave on time?" The guilt was all in my head.

The people who stay late are not necessarily doing more. They are just visible more. Visibility is not productivity.

Once I accepted that, the guilt went away. And my work actually got better because I was rested, focused, and not resentful.

My rules for WLB and self-learning

My job is from 10-6, and I am available in these hours. When my work hours start, my phone is on DND mode. After 6 PM and before 10 AM is my time to do my self-learning.

When I was in Bangalore, India, it was impossible to do self-learning during working days. Commute was taking most of the evening, then coming back home tired, making dinner, constant pings on mobile from work. It was impossible to study and focus.

Weekends were the time when I used to sit and focus. I had to push myself to not check my mobile. It was very hard but not impossible. Since I was not able to study daily, I used to put at least 2-3 hours during weekends (either post 10 PM after all social commitments).

Moving to the UK

Relocation to the UK has changed everything for me. WLB is not "demanded" here. It is expected. No one expects you to work post work hours, no one expects you to keep your work email and communicator on your personal mobile. This opened a new world for me.

I still commute 1.5 hours each way to work, but in that 30 mins I'm in a train where I study, read a book, or just relax.

After work, I come home but I don't feel tired as the commute here is not "tiring". This gives me, after all home chores and dinner, 20-30 mins to study.

I keep my weekends mostly free. I prefer to spend time away from the laptop.

Here, having WLB is expected and no one makes you feel guilty for not working late hours.

PS: Working late hours doesn't mean you are working hard. That narrative is BS.

WLB looks different for everyone

My 10-6 rule works for me. But I know it won't work for everyone.

If you are a parent, your WLB might mean flexible hours so you can drop your kids to school. If you are a freelancer, it might mean working 4 days a week instead of 5. If you are building a side project, it might mean working late on your own terms. Not someone else's.

The point isn't the exact schedule. The point is. Are you in control of your time, or is someone else?

WLB is not a fixed formula. It is a personal boundary. Define yours, protect it, and don't let anyone make you feel guilty for having one.

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