3 Inner Practices to Cultivate Better Work Boundaries
Let's delve into the topic of work. What is your relationship with it? Does it provide you with a sense of identity or purpose? Are you inclined to drop everything to respond to inquiries or requests? What might overworking shield you from? Is the boundary between your work and personal life unclear? What consequences does this ambiguity hold?
I approach the topic of workplace boundaries cautiously, recognizing the distinction between everyday workplace stressors and the looming issue of burnout. Burnout manifests as emotional and physical exhaustion, impacting various facets of our lives. Merely taking short breaks every few hours does not effectively address the underlying symptoms of burnout. As the nap ministry reminds us, let's call burn-out what it is. Trauma. It is the violence of grind culture itself. Check this definition by CAMH here and feel free to get in touch if you need 1:1 support around burn-out.
3 Inner Practices to Cultivate Better Work Boundaries
Navigating workplace boundaries is delicate. I distinguish between workplace stressors and the elephant in the room: burnout, which is emotionally and physically draining. Taking short breaks won't fix it; burnout is a form of trauma fueled by grind culture. Consider these three practices for healthier work-life boundaries:
Cultivate Responsiveness Over Reaction:
Notice your immediate reactions to work demands.
Pause to understand why you react as you do.
Reacting without thought induces stress, akin to a trauma response.
Recognize habitual reactions to change or requests, akin to addictive rushes.
Managing stress reactions is crucial for health; consider reading "The Myth of Normal" by Gabor Maté.
Reset Your Relationship With Rest
Advocate rest for others when they're unwell; do you do the same for yourself?
Normalize the right to rest; it doesn't need to be earned.
Capitalism views your body as a commodity; don't internalize worthlessness.
Grant self-compassion for guilt; find dignity beyond production values.
Cultivate embodied dignity to fortify boundaries against external demands.
Stay Curious About Your Passions
Poor boundaries often stem from overworking to seek belonging and acceptance.
Over-extending can stem from insecurity or fear of resource precarity.
It's not just about turning off work notifications; it's about self-examination.
Define a meaningful life, prioritize joy, and make room for new experiences.
Challenge grind culture; prioritize satisfaction and ease to make boundaries stick.
If you haven't already checked out Ester Perel's podcast series "How's Work" It can help demystify hard conversations we're afraid to have in our work.