5 ways single entrepreneurs can achieve real work-life balance

Single entrepreneurs deserve work-life balance

Whether you realize it or not, work-life balance applies to everyone. It doesn’t matter if you have a spouse and five children or a quiet apartment and three cats. Work-life balance isn’t defined by having a family.

Unfortunately, somewhere along the line, this truth was twisted. Therefore, it’s time that you finally stand up for yourself!

Asking for time off, turning down an extra project, or simply taking some time to hang out with friends can seem strange when you’re young and single, but you need balance in your life. Here are a few tips to help you along:

1. Don’t feel guilty

When you’re single, it’s easy to get talked into staying late or picking up the slack for a co-worker who has a family. And while it’s very admirable to cover for someone – don’t feel like you always have to oblige.

“It’s important to remember that free time doesn’t have to be available time. In other words, just because Wednesday night is empty on your calendar, doesn’t mean you have to say ‘yes’ when your co-worker asks you to go to an event with her,” says entrepreneur Erin Greenawald. “It’s important to remind yourself that you can turn invitations down for no other reason than you want that time to yourself, that your free time can be just that—free.”

2. Fit exercise into your schedule

One of the biggest keys to work-life balance is making time for your own personal health. This means getting at least 30 minutes (preferably 45 to 60 minutes) of physical activity every day. But the issue is that carving out this time cuts into other areas of your life – including work and social relationships. The answer to this pain point is to fit exercise into your work schedule.

“Think about jogging to work instead of driving,” Green Residential suggests. “Use your lunch break to lift weights and then eat lunch at your desk. Handle phone calls while walking on the treadmill. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. All these little things will add up.”

3. Combine calendars

If you’re like most people, you have a work calendar on your desk and a personal calendar at home (or on your phone). It may seem unprofessional to combine these two calendars, but it makes a lot of sense.

When you combine calendars, suddenly your personal obligations – dates, concerts, appointments, and hobbies – become equal priorities in your life. As a result, you’re less likely to shun them and spend a few extra hours at the office.

4.Wake up earlier

One of the best ways to encourage more work-life balance is to wake up an hour earlier. You can use this hour to do things for yourself – such as read a book, watch TV, take a jog, or play with your dog. Then, when you head to work, you’ll feel like you’ve already accomplished something in your personal life.

5. Balance your downtime

Finally, remember to balance your downtime. While it’s good to hang out with friends and go on dates, you shouldn’t feel like you have to fill up every moment of your time away from work. There’s actually a lot of value in lying around your apartment and relaxing with your cat.

You need/deserve balance

As you can clearly see, there are plenty of opportunities for you to reclaim balance in your life. While you may not have the familial responsibilities that some of your peers and co-workers have, you shouldn’t be working 80-hour weeks.

You deserve a little “me time.”

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