In the new post-pandemic workspace, here are seven key tips for millennial women to best adjust to work/life strategies.

It’s no secret the Covid-19 pandemic turned the world on its axis and changed every facet of life as we know it. Offices emptied and busy cities went quiet for months on end until finally earlier this year the smoke began to clear.

In the post-pandemic era, we ushered in our new normal. It’s been a long and continuous period of adjustment that has not come without its challenges.

The post-pandemic era introduced a new socioeconomic environment, as well as new workplace structures and expectations. Many of these are positive, as Covid has allowed us to reassess what’s really needed for a functional workplace.

But if you were just beginning to find your footing in the workplace before the pandemic hit, it can be dreadful starting all over again.

If you’re a millennial woman, you may have experienced some career growth prior to Covid —perhaps you noticed a shifting workplace culture that began to acknowledge women’s contributions. Or perhaps you learned to better advocate for yourself, and this had positive results.

Either way, millennial women are an asset to the workforce—so know the value of your labor and your time off. If you’re struggling to get back on track post-pandemic, read our 7 tips for work–life balance.

“Millennial women are an asset to the #workforce—so know the value of your labor and your time off. If you’re struggling to get back on track post-#pandemic, read our 7 tips for work-life balance.”

As Michelle Obama affirms, “We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own to-do list.”

1. Define Your Boundaries: Boundaries are the first rule of creating a work–life balance. You need to commit to drawing a clear line between your personal and professional lives and be strict about how much time you’re committing to either.

Let your colleagues know what your availability is and be clear that you won’t answer calls or emails outside of office hours. The pandemic accelerated the transition to remote and hybrid working environments.

This blurred the lines between personal and professional lives significantly. For this reason, it’s all the more important to be firm with your boundaries instead of agreeing to ‘quickly reply to an email’ (it’s never quick) after hours.

If you’re a people pleaser, this may be very difficult, but part of advocating for yourself in the workplace is learning when and how to say ‘no.’

“Define Your Boundaries: Boundaries are the first rule of creating a work–life balance. #workplace #careeradvice”

2. Set Realistic Goals: We’ve all heard it before; comparison is the thief of joy. But it’s hard not to compare yourself to your peers, who seem to constantly have new and exciting ventures. As they post what’s essentially a highlight reel of their lives on social media, remember, everyone is on their own timeline. Be patient with yourself and your expectations.

You don’t have to have it all figured out just yet; set realistic goals that won’t burn you out in the long run.

That said, setting realistic goals also means acknowledging what you’re capable of and what you deserve. Don’t be afraid to aim high and take risks. The pandemic showed us that we’re all more adaptable than we previously thought.

So, if you want to take on a new challenge, like applying for a leadership position that’s recently opened up, don’t underestimate yourself.

“You don’t have to have it all figured out just yet; set realistic goals that won’t burn you out in the long run. #careergoals ”

3. Embrace Your Network of Support: No human is an island, and you can’t achieve work–life balance without drawing on your support systems (those at work, and in your personal life). Communicate with your team honestly and let them know when you’re feeling overloaded.

We understand the urge to prove your competency. But one person can only do so much before the quality of their work diminishes.

Learning how to delegate is essential when you’re working within a team. It enables you to divide up the work and assign each task to the most skilled person in that area. This fosters an atmosphere of trust as you’ve given your team members greater responsibilities.

Do the same at home, whether you live with roommates, family members, or your partner. Household responsibilities should be shared equally. Otherwise, you’ll spend all your free time on domestic tasks that shouldn’t be your burden to bear alone.

“Embrace Your Network of Support: No human is an island, and you can’t achieve work–life balance without drawing on your support systems. #teamwork #supportsystem”

4. Self-Care: If your health is suffering in any kind of way, this can negatively impact all facets of your life. Heavily commercialized self-care has been sold to us as the answer to our woes. However, a face mask won’t fix all your mental health dilemmas.

It's important to seek out the help of qualified professionals if you need serious interventions and greater support. Never neglect your body or mind's health, it leads to a poor quality of life and poor-quality work.

5. Cultivate Hobbies and Interests: Nurture your passions, even the ones you aren’t good at. We’re constantly encouraged to monetize all hobbies and passion projects, but it’s just as fulfilling to do things simply for the sake of it.

Having a hobby is a great distraction from work, as well as other daily responsibilities. Embracing your passions will not only add joy to your life, but also foster a sense of fulfillment beyond your professional achievements.

“We’re constantly encouraged to monetize all #hobbies and passion projects, but it’s just as fulfilling to do things simply for the sake of it. #lifelesson”

6. Saving for the Future (Near and Far) : Saving for the future is an essential aspect of achieving work–life balance and ensuring you have the financial means to enjoy your time off. It’s a great idea to have a separate high-interest savings account or to invest in stocks that give you good returns. This allows you to accumulate funds gradually. You then have the freedom to enjoy guilt-free breaks without worrying about financial constraints.

In an increasingly consumer-driven world, it’s difficult to be mindful of our spending habits and prevent impulse buying. Millennials must be sure that their money is used purposefully; it can be extremely fulfilling to prioritize experiences over material possessions.

Your savings fund can go towards activities, trips, or events that will create cherished memories and give you a much-needed respite from work-related responsibilities.

7. Disconnect from Technology: Make sure to unplug at the end of the workday. You can clock off a few minutes later or do overtime on the rare occasion that your team needs help, but try not to make a habit of this. Avoid the temptation of checking your emails or Teams notifications after work hours or when you're off.

Unplug for the day, turn off your phone if you have to, and go for a walk to distance yourself from your daily technology. This will also help you to de-stress, relax, and center yourself.

“Unplug for the day, turn off your phone if you have to, and go for a walk to distance yourself from your daily technology. #worklifebalance #lifeadvice”