Where work asks you to DO more, Spirituality says, BE more. Is it even possible to do both? To have a work-life balance? Yes. But I know how confusing it can be, especially at first when you’re starting your spiritual journey and are feeling heavily disconnected from others around you.
So, my attempt today is to show you through some practical examples, that it very much IS possible to bring spirituality to the workplace. Because life should not be about choosing between your roles. Spirituality can and should be an inherent part of every role you play, especially the one that helps you bring bread and butter home!
So let’s look into some ways to be more spiritual and create a work-life balance for yourself.
TIP #1 – Reuse the intermittent spaces between and after work.
What do I mean by intermittent spaces? There are pockets of time in our day where we don’t have to be doing something, and yet we are. By not allowing ourselves to BE, we deprive our feminine energy from the work place.
Here are some examples of what you might be doing, and what you can do instead to use the gaps to be more present.
Don’t pull out your phone when you are waiting for the elevator to come, or while taking the ride down to town.
There are probably many other moments like this, where you have ‘a few seconds’. As you identify them, see if you can now use them to tap back into the moment, by being mindful of your surroundings or your breath.
Combine your work with movement.
Some offices have a great policy of having “walking meetings”. Try scheduling more of those in your day. As spiritual teacher, Sonia Choquette affirms, walking together can actually bring equilibrium and harmony in conflict. Movement literally helps to keep the energy moving in conversations.
Eat mindfully, at least once a day.
Even if it means a 10 minute coffee break, give yourself that space and time to just let your mind off of ‘work-mode’ and into present moment awareness.
Make car rides back from work a spiritual experience.
Instead of listening to mindless ads on the radio on the drive home, listen to something relaxing that can help you start unplugging and start tuning into yourself. Some gentle music, or chants – have a playlist. Here’s mine, in case you’d like some inspiration.
NOTE : I would NOT recommend podcasts, or anything mentally stimulating. Drive time is known to facilitate a connection with our Higher Self, which is only possible when our mind isn’t constantly consuming new information.
TIP #2 – Do smaller doses of ‘subconscious’ work.
Subconscious programming means continually supplying the mind with higher levels of thoughts. This might not come naturally in a work environment, but you can create it for yourself with simple practices, such as:
- Saving the quotes and affirmations you scroll throughout the day, and then reading them every morning as a self-care practice (without using your internet).
- Saying a few quick morning affirmations in the bathroom mirror at work, if you don’t have time to write them.
- While at your seat, reboot yourself. A good example is by closing your eyes for a 30-second visualization where your stress dissipates, and bright white Light recharges your body. You might enjoy this 60-second energy reset tool to help cleanse any upsetting energy you’ve picked up.
- If you’re too shy to reboot with your eyes-closed, try the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding rule (also great for anxiety and stress). This article describes the rule beautifully.
TIP #3 – Create a work-life balance by being more feminine in your approach.
Again as a highly masculine-energy driven society, we want to accomplish so much and yet, we are never appreciative of how far we’ve come. And how can we be, if we hardly ever have time to reflect on our achievements or even pause to think about what we’ve done?
Cultivate the habit of acknowledging your efforts.
This can look like reflecting on what you did in the day, and giving yourself a pat on the back. And then seeing how much you’ve done in the day, saying “this is good enough”.
Also when the time comes, reward yourself for some of the bigger goals you’ve achieved by consciously taking time off work (which people usually save for ‘sick days’ or travel only).
Whether 10 minutes or 1 hour, have a me-time habit.
Start the day on your terms. You will feel more nurtured. If you’re looking for some inspiration, I talk in a lot more detail about some of my daily self-love and self-care practices in this post.
Have cleaner work-time boundaries.
Delay the work mode, until you’re actually there. Do not jumble up me-time with work-time. This can mean do NOT check or respond to your emails the moment you open your eyes.
Be true to yourself and your loved ones.
How much time are you spending with yourself, honestly and authentically?
Are you cheating on yourself with your work commitments?
Ensure your work day doesn’t end at the same time as you sleep. Signing out of devices, disconnecting from the internet are essential.
TIP #4 – Achieve work-life balance by practicing the spiritual philosophies at work.
Spirituality isn’t meant to just “sound good”. Here’s how you can start practicing what’s been preached to you.
Surrender.
When you are unable to figure a solution for your problem, SURRENDER. Walk away from your desk, take that 10-minute coffee break we discussed before, and rest be assured, you will come with more inspirations that lead you to the solution. Don’t believe me? Try it for yourself.
Understand the karmic role of annoying peers.
I always find difficult relationships to be our best teachers. Identify the nature of your Spiritual Contract. It may mean learning to be less of a ‘yes-man’, for example. Once you can harmonize your dynamic at work, you will experience a greater sense of oneness with everyone.
Don’t get sucked into the illusion.
Do your karma, don’t try to manipulate the outcome. In other words, stop feeding the drama of your ego when things don’t go your way at work. Time to transcend the temptation to kiss up to people at higher authority and to stop indulging in project politics.
NOTE : At the same time, your employer not being able to fulfil your expectations, is a bounce-back at the previous point about practising self-love and voicing your concerns in a gentle and firm way.
Bring in minimalism.
Minimalism isn’t just for the monks. And at work, it can look like a clean desk, an organized calendar and can even reflect on your wardrobe. How would all this be relevant? The less clutter, the more expansive you will feel. And the higher quality of work-life balance you’ll create.
Tip #5 – Work consciously, whatever you do.
Here are some shorter, bite-sized reflections to just make you more spiritual through and through.
- Be mindful and less on ‘autopilot’ – you will make less mistakes that way.
- Stop reacting, start responding. You will spend less energy being flustered.
- Allow yourself to conform less and think ‘outside of the box’.
- Work beyond your fears. Sometimes, it means expressing an unpopular opinion.
Concluding Thoughts
These are just some of the many ways in which spirituality can crossover with work and give you the work-life balance you deserve. If these tips helped you, don’t forget to share this article with others!
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Vasundhra is the Founder & Writer of My Spiritual Shenanigans. After seeing 11:11 on the clock one fateful night, her life turned around. Ever since, she has been blending modern psychology and ancient spirituality, to help herself and people around the world elevate the quality of their lives.
Ready to take your healing deeper? Join her for monthly community workshops and/or for personalized 1:1 coaching.
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Bhagyashree Panda says
very nice content with properly articulated data.
Must appreciate the way its touched all points
myspiritualshenanigans says
Thank you Bhagyashree, I appreciate the feedback, it means a lot 😊
Su says
Love that, start the day on your own terms and on weekends too. I also find travelling (by bus) a time to connect with my higher self, I was happy to see this mentioned here.
myspiritualshenanigans says
Travelling is the best, Su!!
Adventures with Shelby says
These are some great ideas
myspiritualshenanigans says
Thank you!
Sanjota Purohit says
Great tips! Everyone should implement these to have a happy work-life balance.
myspiritualshenanigans says
Thanks Sanjota, glad you liked them 💛
ELIZABETH OBIH-FRANK says
This is the best that i read today. And i feel the guilt inside me. Thanks for this.
myspiritualshenanigans says
Aw, this is a huge compliment for me! Thank you Elizabeth. It only takes a few small changes to start seeing bigger results 💛
JMXZKYL says
You have given me more great tips on how to get back into my good habits. I always hate the word stress though it is inevitable but at least we know how to deal with it. Thank you again for the tips! 🙂
ameliapollock147 says
Wonderful tips. I’m one of them who starts using the phone whenever I’m free. I will work on this now.
myspiritualshenanigans says
I’ve done that all my career to Amelia, it’s such an addiction! Hope it helps you tap back into the present moment when you’re able to not check 💕
Simon Starchevsky says
To cleanse the mind of worry and stress is important. A clear mind is a productive mind.
myspiritualshenanigans says
Absolutely! Less is more!
Trijit says
As a IT sector employee, I can relate to it. Work life balance is really necessary that most of the IT employees forget to maintain because of pressure.
myspiritualshenanigans says
Hi5 Trijit! It was my constant sitting infront of the computer that made me decide to make bigger changes, lest I become a cyborg myself 😂😓
amayszingblogs says
These tips would save a day! It’s important to balance work and life nice post!
myspiritualshenanigans says
Thank you! I’m so glad you resonate 🙂
Rudy says
i seriously need to disconnect more often. i like a lot of your ideas. i will have to give some a try before technology causes my brain to implode. 🤯
myspiritualshenanigans says
I totally feel this, Rudy! Digital Detox is becoming an increasing thing with the information overload. And these hacks really made my life smoother, as someone whose work involved programing for several hours a day.
GarimaBhaskar says
I have been struggling so much with balancing work and life. Either I am working 24×7 or not working at all. These tips are great, will try them.
myspiritualshenanigans says
All the best Garima, I hope that you feel at ease from these! 💕
Ch. Nikhila says
I love reading such articles. It’s really nice.
myspiritualshenanigans says
Aw, thank you! There are others on the blog along the same line, hope you’ll enjoy them too 🙏
aisasami says
Awesome tips for bringing a balance with work/life and spirituality. People always want to use their phones for the little free moments they have but they should use it more to bring mindfulness into their lives. Find that balance.
myspiritualshenanigans says
YES! I’m so guilty of this myself. It’s become compulsive! But remaining conscious is the only way to escape this madness 🙈
Joanna says
I need to put more of these points into practice. Because I work from home, I forget most of the times that I need to take “me” breaks as well.
myspiritualshenanigans says
Oh! I agree, I always tend to overwork when I’m working from home, so it’s a good time to draw some boundaries! I hope these hacks help you in some way 💕
Kristin O'Ferrall says
These are all great tips and ones that I need to make a conscious effort in being better about. I am guilty of doing most of the “bad” things on the list. Great advice. 🙂
myspiritualshenanigans says
When we know better, we can always do better, right? 💛
vballangel5 says
What great tips to keep a good balance
vballangel5 says
Thank you for the great tips to keep a good balance
Play2WinApps says
good tips to keeping balance! Stress can be a tremendous weight on ones mind
momelite2 says
These are all great tips! I was in such a good habit of being mindful for so long and I’ve kind of fallen away from it. You have given me some good tips to get back into my good habits.
myspiritualshenanigans says
Oo, yay! More power to you, you’ll be back and much stronger this time around, in no time 💪
Searcy Sledge says
Find work-life balance is so hard. These are great tips. We need to be off our phones more (I say this as I’m on my phone).
jkblooming4gmailcom says
Great tips – I really need to live by some of them.
myspiritualshenanigans says
Aw, hope you feel inspired to bring these small changes 🙂