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Lucy Squire's avatar

I was definitely familiar with this concept but didn't know it had a name! I enjoyed reading about this and especially loved the idea that "it's all life" and so remove the concept of work-life balance as if they're different things. I totally used to live for the weekend, but as you say, all of life becomes so much more enjoyable when we take responsibility for enjoying ALL of it, not just our free time. Thanks for that reminder 🥰

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Alexander Lovell, PhD's avatar

Aww thank you! Yes, living for the weekend seems reasonable, but what about simply living for living :) Thank you for sharing ❤️

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Lucy Squire's avatar

YES! Suddenly makes you realise how much of your life you're missing when you only live for a bit of it x

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Tim Ebl 🇨🇦's avatar

Coincidentally, I've been working on a draft of this exact idea! But now, since reading yours, I'm not sure if I can do it justice.

If we spend more time at work than at home, then how in the world could that not be part of our life?

This whole idea that we're missing out all the time is to blame for a lot of depression, I think.

Sure, maybe we need to examine our situation and make changes if the daytime activities are taking over everything. But it's still a part of our experience.

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Alexander Lovell, PhD's avatar

You nailed it! I think we all need a reality check sometimes when it comes to life balance thing. It's easy to get caught up in the fantasy of endless vacations and lazy Sundays, but let's be honest, most of us have bills to pay and responsibilities to juggle.

But that doesn't mean we have to resign ourselves to a life of drudgery. Like you said, it's about finding ways to make our work lives meaningful and integrating them into our broader experience.

Also love the depression angle. I'm going to have to chew on that a bit longer. I'd love to read what you have to say, so I hope you finish that draft!

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Tamy Faierman M.D.'s avatar

Thank you for sharing your revelation around the mess of life and the lack of life work balance, Alex, it’s a game changer! It certainly was one for me when I realized it over 15 years ago. Shifting the lens on our perpetual life goggles, changes how we experience life. Two phrases have been hugely useful for me on my busy journey as a Plastic Surgeon who evolved and shifted into a Soul Surgeon, business owner, raising five kids, health issues are – BLESS THE MESS and THIS TOO BELONGS. Both of these little mantras help me face the now which includes - the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Thank you, Alex For putting words to such an important concept. More than a concept, it’s a doorway into freeing ourselves of the culturally conditioned egoic mind.🙏🏻✨😊

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