Letters by Burk #134: Work-Life-Balance

Also, depression, body image, facts about work-life-balance, poems, and more

Burk

Jul 16, 2024

five black rocks — Photo by Colton Sturgeon on Unsplash

Hi friends,

Let's talk about something we all see but rarely discuss — the blues that creep into our work lives.

Maybe you've felt the weight of the world on your shoulders during your 9-to-5. Or even your solo creator career.

You’re not alone!

Turns out, our jobs can mess with our heads in ways we don't even realize.

You're swamped with work, deadlines breathing down your neck, but you've got zero say in how to handle it all. Frustrating, right?

That's the number one recipe for workplace depression right there.

And it gets worse. Once, work might have felt like a second family. For many of us here, those days are gone. Now, it's all about grinding solo, with barely a “how's it going?” from anywhere.

Loneliness can be a huge factor.

Busting your butt day in, day out, only to feel like no one gives a damn. No “good job,” no pat on the back, nada. It's enough to make anyone wonder, “Why bother?”

To top it off, work-life balance? More like work-life blur. No wonder we're all feeling a bit… off.

Yeah, those are all valid feelings a creator (or any person for that matter) can go through quicker than we think.

That’s why I’ve been really focusing on time off. Even if that means losing some money, missing an opportunity, or hindering my growth.

In the end, it’s life I am chasing, not work.

This simple quote sums it all up:

"You can't do a good job if your job is all you do." —Katie Thurmes

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To play the same role in 2024, he would have to resemble someone like Dwayne Johnson or Alan Ritchson. And herein lies the problem.

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#3 Facts

Let’s stay with the work-life-balance and depression theme here and read 10 facts:

Presenteeism, where employees show up to work but are less productive due to depression, costs companies more than absenteeism.
Men are less likely to seek help for workplace depression than women, often due to societal stigma.
Certain professions, like healthcare and law, have higher rates of depression than others.
Artificial light in offices can disrupt circadian rhythms, potentially contributing to depressive symptoms.
Open-plan offices, despite their popularity, may increase the risk of depression due to lack of privacy and increased noise.
Workplace depression can be contagious – employees working closely with depressed colleagues are more likely to develop symptoms themselves.
Regular exercise during work hours, even short walks, can significantly reduce symptoms of workplace depression.
Night shift workers have a higher risk of developing depression due to disrupted sleep patterns.
Workplace bullying is strongly linked to depression, yet it's often overlooked in corporate policies.
Plants in the office environment can help reduce symptoms of depression by improving air quality and providing a connection to nature.

#4 Words

Ticking Clock

Nine to five, a relentless chase,
Emails, calls, a frantic pace.
Screens aglow till stars appear,
Family moments, now so dear.

Weekend plans, a distant dream,
Life and work, a balancing beam.
Breathe in deep, step away,
Find your center, seize the day.

For in the rush of endless tasks,
The soul its simple pleasure asks.
Balance found in moments still,
Where life and work no longer drill.

Something to think about

Best,

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