The secret to work/life balance

Morwenna, head of HR Partnerships at Jisc, shares her journey to realising that success isn't just about long hours and relentless dedication - it's about finding the balance between professional achievement and personal fulfilment

It is not a singular element that creates an excellent work/life balance. Instead, it is the smaller, intricate things that together, build a solid foundation to keep that balance in place. It is a delicate process.

Despite feeling successful in my career in business operations when I was 23, I knew I needed to follow my intuition and do something I loved. I retrained and took a junior HR role within a large corporation.

Driven to succeed in my career, I used to ignore the importance of work/life balance and would take on too much work. I was eager to prove my worth and gain experience, but as the years went by, I started feeling exhausted. HR is fulfilling, but the pressure to react quickly and understand every detail of the business takes its toll.

The turning point

Years of neglecting self-care led to burnout. I of all people should know the warning signs as an HR professional, and even more so as a disabled individual. I lost my agility and self-compassion and could no longer protect the business or its people. As a result, my mental health suffered, and I endured a long recovery. It was at this point I understood I could not continue this way, and this would be a real turning point. Holding myself to unrealistic expectations had nearly taken away a career I had worked so hard for and I one that still to this day I love.

Coping strategies

I slowly began to realise the importance of rest, switching off and enjoying life outside of work. I implemented boundaries, which had the biggest impact. I book at least one hour per day of non-negotiable focus time to allow myself time to work without distraction. I have a no laptop rule in the evenings or on my days off and I don't ever work past 6pm. It overstimulates my brain and can unsettle my sleep and daily routine. A tired overstimulated brain is not a productive one and it is vital that I am present with my family. 

I have two 'off' days per week to allow decompression time. I'm not always available. I do not have my work emails or Microsoft Teams on my phone. I say no and I'm honest about my capacity instead of impulsively saying yes to everything or trying to people please. I ask for support and I'm open about needing help. 

I realised the benefit of prioritising myself, both professionally and personally and the difference in my performance, engagement and productivity was astounding. I'm now able to have that headspace to take a step back and process things pragmatically and appreciate achievements. I had been performing what felt like a marathon, yet for me, I work better in smaller sprints, by taking my time to stop and breathe.

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A balancing act

Rest and self-care look different for everyone. I incorporate various self-care strategies into my daily routine such as movement, socialising with friends and family and hobbies which all allow me to recharge and improve my overall wellbeing.

You can love what you do. You can be passionate, dedicated and an expert in your field. You can experience growth all while implementing boundaries and prioritising self-care. But to truly create a sustainable work/life balance, you must love yourself first.

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