Ask HN: How do you get a work-life balance if work is your life?

[ndmrs]

Since I was a kid I was always the 'standard nerd'. Learning programming in his spare time, playing lots of video games etc. This lead me to getting a very good job straight out college. I'm now mid-20s and I love my job, I get to deal with 'big data' that I always wanted to work with. As a result, I identify myself a lot with my job.

Though I have realized that I don't really have any work-life balance. I can go home and do chores, watch TV, go to the gym but none of these I would describe as 'living'. Being mid-20s most of my peers go out to drink, party etc. Being a huge introvert that is not something I enjoy either. No S.O. currently either.

So HN, my question is how do you define 'life' in work-life balance? What do you do to make yourself fulfilled?

[camjohnson26]

For me it’s about understanding why work is fulfilling, and I tend to see it as a way of solving problems in the world. But growing older I realize technology and science can’t solve most of the issues, and community and faith take a bigger and bigger role, which just naturally tends to even out the work life balance.

Sounds like you might want to start reading some philosophy and understanding what your place in the world is, and maybe start exploring religion too. To me they are both valuable and answer different questions.

[catchnear4321]

Do not identify with your job. With your skill set, perhaps, but not your job.

Do projects that don’t belong to your employer. Personal projects, your time, your dime. It can be about your field of interest, just don’t make it too close to your job.

Go somewhere and sit quietly for a while.

[night-rider]

> Do not identify with your job

Alan Watts said to see any form of work as a form of play. When you enjoy your work it becomes play. This is why work for many people is their hobby.

[catchnear4321]

You left out the half that your comment echoes.

> With your skill set, perhaps, but not your job.

[surprisetalk]

Some big questions to ask yourself:

• If you change nothing about your life, what will you regret in 10 years?

• Do you have any personal projects, or do you give 100% of your time to your employer?

• If money wasn’t a factor, how would you spend your time?