After more than five years of running community events for young adults, there’s one thing we keep hearing:

“It’s so hard to balance working full-time with all of my other responsibilities, let alone my social life.”

We get it — it’s easy to feel like your friendships have to take a backseat to work when you’re adulting! Something’s gotta give, but we’ve got you! Read on for some ideas on how you, too, can hack these all-important areas of your life.

Work

First, decide on how you’re prioritising work in this season. Are you in your hustle era? Are you happy where you are for now, satisfied to stay in your lane without going above and beyond? Then…

Get Creative

Working from home has its perks, but it can also be isolating. Instead of working from home alone, meet your friends at a cafe or someone’s house and be productive together. Co-working can provide the social interaction you need while still allowing you to get your tasks done. Plus, having friends around can make work feel less like work!

Have Boundaries

Be strict about your working hours and the tasks you take on. It’s easy to let work spill over into your personal time, especially when you’re passionate about what you do. But remember, work will always be there tomorrow. Set clear boundaries and stick to them. This means no checking emails after hours and no taking on extra tasks that you can’t handle.

Communicate

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it’s from your boss, your colleagues, or your friends, communicating your needs is crucial. Sometimes, all it takes is a little support to get through a tough day.

Life

Next, decide if you want to make new friends, nurture your existing friendships, or both, and be intentional about where you put your energy.

If you want to focus on your current friendships:

• Have lunch dates with friends who work in the same area. It’s a great way to catch up without taking too much time out of your day!

• Set a standing date to meet when you’re all free. It could be as specific as “every first Thursday of the month”! Having a regular date on the calendar ensures you don’t let too much time pass without seeing each other, and you block out the time way in advance. What’s important in agreeing to something like this though - is to honour that pre-agreement to meet up! Meaning if something new comes up - be it another gathering or work meeting, to say no to that as you already have plans.

• Find a new activity or hobby to take up with your friends. Whether it’s a weekly yoga class or a baking course, shared interests can strengthen your bond.

If you want to meet new people:

• Join an interest group or class to meet like-minded people. Whether it’s a dance class, a hiking group, or a pottery workshop, you’ll be surrounded by people who share your interests.

• Get to know people who live near you — it’ll always be convenient to meet up! Psst…a Friendzone event is the perfect way to discover the cool people in your neighbourhood, industry or city!

• Make friends with your colleagues and arrange to hang out outside of work. It’s a great way to deepen your connections and make work more enjoyable! Plus, you’ve already got something in common.

It's all about balance

Achieving a perfect work-life balance might sound like an impossible task, but here’s the truth: balance is a dynamic process, not a fixed state. Rather than striving for perfection, aim for alignment between your priorities and actions.

Develop Self-Awareness to Set Your Priorities

Start by taking a step back and reflecting on what matters most to you right now. Is this the season to focus on career growth? Or are personal relationships more important? Recognising your top priorities will help you make conscious decisions and set realistic expectations for yourself.

Reflect to Stay on Track

Make a habit of regularly checking in with yourself. Regular self-reflection can help you gauge whether you're feeling overextended or if something in your life is being neglected. This can help you make adjustments before things get out of balance. Try journal prompts to help with this, or have a conversation with a trusted friend!

Lean on Accountability Partners

Having friends who can journey with you and keep you accountable to your goals - whether it’s around work or your social life - helps too :) Remember that it’s a process, and we’re all in it together! You’re never as alone as you might feel.

Balancing work, life, and friendships is no easy feat, but it’s definitely possible with a little intentionality and effort. Remember, it’s not about achieving a perfect state of balance, but rather about being mindful of your priorities and making adjustments as needed. Whether you’re focusing on your career, nurturing your existing friendships, or making new ones, there’s always a way to find balance and make the most of your time.

Take a deep breath, reflect on what’s important to you, and start making intentional choices to balance your work, life, and friendships. You’ve got this, and we’re here to support you every step of the way!