The pandemic and its aftermath have led to various trends and hashtags related to work, such as the Great Resignation and #ActYourWage. These all point to the realization that many people had an unhealthy relationship with work. Americans, influenced by factors like our history, social safety net, and cultural ideals of self-reliance, found themselves pouring too much of their time and energy into their jobs. Even entrepreneurs were not exempt from this realization.
To break free from the cycle of workaholism, we must first untangle our identity from our job. One way to start this process is by changing how we our time. In today's connected world, can be hard to disconnect from work even during our off-hours, leading to a vicious cycle where work consumes all available space. Journalist Simone Stolzoff suggests scheduling activities that physically prevent us from working, such as going for a run or attending a yoga class. By being fully present in these activities, we can begin to reclaim our time outside of work.
The specific activities you choose to fill that time are up to you. Engaging in hobbies and joining social or community groups not only provides topics of conversation but also enriches our identities beyond our professional roles. Research shows that cultivating hobbies can boost creativity, and resilience, and even improve professional performance. It is an important step in a larger journey of resetting our societal obsession with work.
Of course, changing our collective mindset around work requires more than individual efforts. There is a need for policies,, we can start by prioritizing activities outside of work that enriches our lives and provide a break from them. such as a book club or attending a garden club meeting. These activities help us escape the dominance of work for a while and give our jobs a smaller, more balanced role in our lives.
In a society that has glorified hustle and overnight success, there is a growing movement pushing back and reevaluating our priorities. Some people do what they love, while others do what they have to do in order to pursue their passions outside of work. If you want to be part of this pushback, start by incorporating more activities incompatible with work into your schedule.