The hottest Work-life balance Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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"I am rich and have no idea what to do with my life"

Erik Torenberg's Thoughts • 2108 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Personal Finance Career Change Self-discovery Work-life balance
  1. Having a lot of money doesn't always bring happiness or purpose. It's common to feel lost even when you're financially secure.
  2. It’s important to confront your insecurities and challenges head-on. Personal growth often happens when we face difficult times.
  3. Learning for the sake of enjoyment, like studying physics, can be fulfilling. Sometimes, it's fine to not have a big plan and just focus on what makes you happy.

New survey finds workplace culture is top ask of our jobs

Make Work Better • 98 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
💼 Business Workplace culture Employee Wellbeing Diversity Work-life balance
  1. Workplace culture is the most important factor for employees when choosing jobs. Most workers want to feel valued and included.
  2. Wellbeing is now a major concern at work, with many people saying it drives success. Work-life balance is seen as a big challenge.
  3. A lot of workers care about how they are treated at work and believe diverse leadership is important for the future.

You are just your bosses’ little bitch

antoniomelonio • 215 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
💼 Business Workplace culture Leadership Employee Rights Work-life balance
  1. Most workplaces operate like dictatorships, where employees must follow bosses without question. This creates a daily stress of having to please someone else just to keep their job.
  2. The idea of changing jobs or starting your own business is not a true escape, as it often just leads to serving another boss or dealing with new pressures. Many people feel trapped in this cycle.
  3. Our modern work culture often makes us lose our individuality and autonomy. It can feel like we are trading our personal freedom for a paycheck, with many people just going through the motions.

What Self-Optimisers Get Wrong About Habit

Reactionary Feminist • 10 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Self-Improvement Lifestyle Routine Work-life balance
  1. Routine is important and good for creating a sense of structure in life. It helps people think clearly and gives them energy to enjoy life more.
  2. Opposing routine because it feels overly structured can lead to burnout. Instead of rejecting routine entirely, it’s better to find balance.
  3. Self-optimization can be restrictive and stressful. Routine should serve personal growth and mental freedom, not just efficiency.

College-for-All Means Homework-for-All

Five’s Substack • 1358 implied HN points • 22 Jul 24
🚌 Education Higher education Student life Work-life balance Time management Critical Thinking
  1. Many college students have a lot of work and study to do outside of class, making their schedule very busy. It's common for students to work part-time or even full-time jobs while studying.
  2. Homework is really important for truly understanding subjects in college. Doing the readings and assignments helps students think on their own and learn more effectively.
  3. It's vital to protect students' time for learning, not just to earn degrees. Education should be about more than just getting a job; it should allow for real thinking and personal growth.
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La rentrée est une bascule ?

L'Atelier Galita • 159 implied HN points • 07 Oct 24
💼 Business Career Change Professional development Work-life balance Job search
  1. Many people are leaving their jobs, and it seems to be a bigger trend after COVID. This time of year often makes people reconsider their career paths.
  2. Pursuing your passion isn't always the best advice. It's important to build expertise and autonomy first, as true passion often comes from those experiences.
  3. Books like 'Business Model You' can help you reflect on your career and what you truly want. Taking time to learn and support a cause can lead to better life choices.

Leaving my full-time job

Tech and Tea • 772 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Life Changes Personal Growth Work-life balance Celebration Mindfulness
  1. Celebrating big changes doesn't always mean throwing a party. Sometimes, just having time to relax and think is the best way to celebrate.
  2. It's okay to do things that seem unimportant. These little joys can make us happy and should be valued too.
  3. We often push ourselves to be productive all the time. It's nice to take breaks and enjoy simple pleasures without the pressure to always be working.

What Eight Years Of Being Stuck Taught Me About Career Paths

Diary of an Engineering Manager • 259 implied HN points • 22 Aug 24
💼 Business Career development Work-life balance Skills Training Organizational Behavior Job Market
  1. Career growth can be messy and non-linear, much like cooked spaghetti. Just because you're not moving up quickly doesn't mean you're failing.
  2. Promotions often come with extra responsibilities and sacrifices. It's important to reflect on whether you're ready for those changes before chasing a title.
  3. Your career will have phases, with ups and downs. It's okay to experience stagnation; it's part of building resilience for the long run.

what I learned this year about love and work

bookbear express • 588 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Community Personal Growth Relationships Creativity Writing Work-life balance
  1. Writing brings joy and a sense of fulfillment, and it's important to keep exploring what works best for you in this creative space.
  2. Building connections and helping others find love enriches life and can create a strong sense of community.
  3. Navigating conflicts in relationships gets easier with practice, and focusing on reducing tension can lead to more peaceful interactions.

Sometimes it is okay to just coast

Wednesday Wisdom • 217 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Personal Growth Career Advice Self-care Work-life balance
  1. It's okay to just take a break and coast when you're feeling stuck. Sometimes, trying too hard can make things worse.
  2. The passing of time can bring clarity. Things will get better as you give yourself a chance to relax and think.
  3. Not every job needs to be exciting. Taking a simple job to pay the bills can help you recover and find your direction again.

On gentle personal growth in 2024

Tech and Tea • 345 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth Self-care Mental health Work-life balance Introspection
  1. Personal growth doesn't have to be extreme. It's okay to take a gentle approach, like a relaxed hike instead of climbing a mountain.
  2. Being okay with uncertainty is important. It's better to embrace not knowing what comes next and trust that clarity will come in time.
  3. Taking care of yourself should be a priority. It's good to step back from the pressure of doing everything and focus on what really matters to you.

1 year of solo work!

vrk loves paper • 339 implied HN points • 27 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Creativity Art Self-Improvement Personal Growth Work-life balance
  1. Taking time off from work allowed for creativity and self-discovery. Instead of just quitting to find direction, planning ahead helped focus on what truly mattered.
  2. It's important to tackle personal projects based on what you genuinely want to create. Listening to your instincts can lead to fulfilling achievements.
  3. Creating alone has challenges, like managing all tasks yourself and feeling the pressure of deadlines. Recognizing these struggles can help improve work-life balance moving forward.

Peter Attia's Powerful Final Chapter | #283

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 130 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Emotional Health Personal Growth Self-Improvement Work-life balance
  1. Peter Attia shares a deeply personal story about how workaholism affected his family. He reflects on his mistakes and emphasizes the importance of emotional health.
  2. He argues that personal transformation often comes from sharing real, vulnerable stories rather than following strict guidelines or frameworks.
  3. Attia highlights the difference between mental and emotional health, suggesting that we need to focus more on emotional wellbeing to truly optimize our lives.

The darker side of being a doctor

DrEricLevi’s Substack • 499 HN points • 13 Apr 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Work-life balance Patient Care Medical Industry
  1. Loss of control over work schedule and healthcare system can lead to despair and burnout for doctors.
  2. Lack of support system due to demanding work hours and administrative pressure can exacerbate emotional and physical exhaustion for doctors.
  3. Diminished sense of meaning in medical practice, as administrative demands overshadow patient care, leading to frustration and disillusionment among doctors.

Lean In, 10 Years Later

My Sweet Dumb Brain • 1749 implied HN points • 14 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Work-life balance Mental well-being Self-care Grief Productivity
  1. The author has transitioned from focusing on 'leaning in' or 'leaning out' to simply trying to lean in different aspects of life.
  2. Taking on extra work can alleviate financial worries but bring new stressors of time management and choices.
  3. The societal view on work and success has shifted from a 'work harder' mentality to recognizing the importance of balance, mental health, and avoiding burnout.

Learning to give it 85%

The Shift With Sam Baker • 1637 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Work-life balance Self-care Mental health Physical health Professional development
  1. It's important to realize that giving 100% all the time may not be sustainable or healthy in the long run. Aim for 85% effort to prevent burnout.
  2. Society's expectations of always giving 100% can lead to negative consequences on one's well-being, especially when not reciprocated by employers.
  3. Taking breaks, setting boundaries, and prioritizing self-care by working at 85% capacity can actually lead to improved productivity and overall well-being.

Lessons in Navigating Career Lostness

David Spinks' Newsletter • 15 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
💼 Business Career development Coaching Work-life balance Personal Growth
  1. It's common to feel lost in your career, especially after achieving previous success. Sometimes you need to pause and reflect instead of rushing into the next step.
  2. Ambitious people often share similar fears about success and worth, which can lead to burnout. Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward real change.
  3. Transitioning in your career is a journey without a clear map. It's okay to not have all the answers; listening to yourself and taking small steps is the key.

Leyla Kazim Is Choosing A Slower Life

Changing The Channel • 538 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Work-life balance Mental health Consumerism Hobbies
  1. Leyla Kazim focuses on living a slower, intentional, and joyful life, advocating for shedding consumerist social conditioning.
  2. There is a pervasive hustle and burnout culture in the UK and US, affecting people's well-being and pushing them into overwork.
  3. The pandemic has led many to re-evaluate their lives, with some realizing the importance of hobbies and the detrimental effects of tying identity solely to work.

Are kids compatible with running a business?

Kenny’s Sub • 239 implied HN points • 28 Apr 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Work-life balance Parenting Freelancing
  1. Running a business while parenting is tough. It can be hard to find time to focus on work when taking care of kids.
  2. It's important to balance motherhood and work. Many moms need to realize they can't do everything at once, and that's okay.
  3. Challenges will always arise in both motherhood and entrepreneurship. Learning to adapt and stay resilient is key to managing those tough times.

Out of office

Substack • 549 implied HN points • 22 May 24
🎭️ Culture Writers Creative Process Community Engagement Work-life balance
  1. Taking breaks is important for creativity. Many writers find that the best ideas come when they're relaxed and not working.
  2. Readers often support writers in taking time off. When writers communicate their need for a break, subscribers usually understand and appreciate the honesty.
  3. Some writers plan ahead by scheduling guest posts or using past content during their time off. This helps maintain a connection with their audience while they recharge.

the 5-step framework for making clear choices

Tiny Empires • 73 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Decision-making Productivity Work-life balance Mental health
  1. Establish foundation decisions that are your core rules. This means making important choices once so you don't have to think about them again.
  2. Create templates for regular decisions. These templates will make your choices easier by providing a simple 'if/then' format for common situations.
  3. Batch similar decisions together and set rules for major choices. This helps you make decisions more efficiently and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Beyond What's Next

Perspectives • 9 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Lifestyle Family Personal Growth Work-life balance Mindfulness
  1. Taking time off can help you figure out what you really want in life. It's okay to embrace nothingness and let your mind wander.
  2. Life isn't just about being busy; it's valuable to simply enjoy moments with family and friends. Sometimes doing nothing leads to meaningful experiences.
  3. Having space in your schedule allows for spontaneity and connection. Not every moment needs to be planned out to be meaningful.

Quitting & Returning To Work (Guest Post by Tom Grundy)

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 89 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
💼 Business Workplace culture Career development Mental health Entrepreneurship Work-life balance
  1. Sometimes, taking a break from work can help you recharge and find clarity. It allows you to step back and see what you really want in life.
  2. Returning to the same job after a break doesn't mean you're going backwards. It can give you a fresh perspective and a healthier relationship with work.
  3. Your mindset about work is powerful. Changing how you look at your job can lead to more happiness and satisfaction, even without changing your role.

Want to Create 4 Weeks of Content? Here’s My #1 Proven Productivity Technique!

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 679 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23
🚌 Education Content creation Productivity Writing Tips Work-life balance Side Hustles
  1. Focusing on one task at a time helps you get more done. Trying to do too many things can lead to feeling overwhelmed and achieving less.
  2. Having a clear content creation plan can help maintain productivity even during busy times like maternity leave.
  3. Side hustles can be a great way to balance personal life and work goals. They provide extra income and allow for creativity outside of your main job.

When the Mask Drops: Trying, Failing, and Re-Finding Myself

Caravanserai with Samantha Childress • 569 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Work-life balance Self-discovery Personal Growth Creativity
  1. The author struggled with finding time and headspace to write due to working full-time, but decided to post twice a month to make the newsletter more sustainable.
  2. The author felt like a failure for not keeping up with their original writing goals, but realized that quality is more important than quantity.
  3. By being more sincere at work and letting the 'mask' drop, the author found more freedom to be themselves and write more authentically.

You Think Freelancing Means Freedom? Think Again

VERY GOOD PRODUCTIZED GUIDES • 59 implied HN points • 29 Jun 24
💼 Business Freelancing Entrepreneurship Work-life balance Productivity Self-Improvement
  1. Freelancing can feel freeing, but it often leads to stressful situations, like juggling client work with personal life. It's important to recognize when to seek help or create a team you can trust.
  2. Transitioning from freelancing to entrepreneurship requires a clear understanding of your lifestyle goals and what success means to you. It's not just about making money, but building a fulfilling life.
  3. Personal growth and willingness to change are key to evolving your business. Being open to learning and shifting your role can help you create a more sustainable and enjoyable work environment.

Let down by our jobs we're ready to take control of our lives

Make Work Better • 54 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
💼 Business Work Culture Employee Rights Work-life balance Career development
  1. Workers really want flexibility in their jobs, especially young people and women. It's important for their work-life balance.
  2. There’s a lot of disappointment with jobs, and many workers feel overwhelmed by their workload. A toxic work environment is the main reason people would quit.
  3. While work used to be a place for friendships, most people feel it lacks social connection now. They hope it will improve in the future.

Some thoughts on interviewing

Tech and Tea • 575 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
💼 Business Job Market Interviewing Work-life balance Job Searching Employment Trends
  1. The job market is currently very competitive with candidates facing challenges in finding suitable roles.
  2. Many qualified candidates are opting out of the job market to pursue personal projects or explore alternative work arrangements.
  3. Interviewing can be tiring and unpredictable, requiring kindness and respect towards candidates.

Animal

Venture Prose • 379 implied HN points • 16 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-awareness Work-life balance Personal Growth
  1. Reflect on your actions and how they impact others, strive for genuine intentions in your interactions.
  2. Recognize your strengths and weaknesses in managing relationships and commitments, while maintaining your individuality.
  3. Understand your personal needs and preferences, and embrace them even if they differ from societal norms.

The darker side of being a doctor

drericlevi’s Substack • 47 HN points • 17 Jun 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Work-life balance Burnout Medical Industry
  1. Loss of control over work schedules and healthcare decisions can lead to despair and overwhelm for doctors.
  2. Lack of support from the healthcare system and difficulty finding personal support can contribute to the challenges doctors face.
  3. Reduction in the meaningful clinical engagement with patients due to administrative pressures and industry demands can be a major source of distress for doctors.

40-Something Creatives: What Should We Do Next?

The Intersection • 296 implied HN points • 08 Jul 23
💼 Business Work-life balance Financial planning Entrepreneurship
  1. In your 40s, it's crucial to reflect on your career and life path since there may not be as many 'next' opportunities left. You have to navigate responsibilities and the question: 'What should I do next for the rest of my life?'
  2. When making career decisions in your 40s, consider personal values and priorities. Understand what truly matters to you to find fulfillment and satisfaction in your professional life.
  3. Think about where you want to live, the type of work you want to do, and how much money you really need. These considerations can help guide you towards a more fulfilling and balanced professional life in your 40s.