Work-Life Balance Tips from Dystopia

11 Keys to Keeping Sane in the Workaday Pressure Cooker

Finding an effective work-life balance means establishing routines for your personal life, as well as for your professional development.

Far too often, people who think for a living – engineers, designers, writers, scientists – are put into boxes by the people who employ them and are told to build things and/or to solve problems.

There’s a lot of pressure in those boxes. Pressure from good bosses, bad bosses (especially bad bosses), spouses and even friends/co-workers. Perhaps one of the biggest sources of pressure is yourself. I know I’m a pretty fierce critic of myself.

Then, there’s the dystopia of American politics, which we'll discuss further down.

For years, I’ve limped along under said pressure, subsisting, and failing.

About a year ago, when I started my company, I determined that I would dedicate the time and attention I need to preserve my mind and spirit, despite whatever existential dread I might perceive. It’s a sort of firewall I’ve developed to reduce work-related stress.

Following are MY work-life balance tips to take the edge off. Since you’re the creative/thinking type, I’m sure you’ll be able to adapt these to match your own.

TRIGGER WARNING: If you're a supervisor who demands that their employees stay in their cubicles eight hours a day and crank out work like Model Ts, some of these tips probably won't make you happy. It should be noted that people who think for a living are working ALL THE TIME. Hence, the need for these work-life balance tips.

Did I mention I'm hard on my books? Keeping a work-life balance means reading the hell out of Stephen King's novels, and other fictional portrayals of dystopia. This one is the third book in King's "The Dark Tower" series.

1) Work-Life Balance Tips with a Side of Giant Lobster

These are dark days for believers of Truth and hard facts. They have been hard since 2016. I’ll let you figure out what that “what” is. As the real world seems to be swirling down a blackhole, I’ve found myself drawn to Stephen King novels. I can’t tell you why I started reading “ ‘Salem’s Lot,” but ever since I witnessed (because no one just “reads” a Stephen King novel) Father Callahan’s eternal damnation at the claws of that damned vampire Barlow, I’ve been hooked.

When I found out Callahan’s character resurfaced in King’s Dark Tower series, I’ve been completely obsessed.

So, while Washington turns upside down and AI threatens to replace all workers who think for a living (like me), rather than doom scroll, I’ve been reading novels. Right now, I’m reading Neal Shusterman’s “Thunderhead.” But soon enough, I’ll be reading King’s “Carrie,” which is waiting on my bookshelf.

Guess I would rather preoccupy myself with giant, man-eating lobsters (called “lobstrosities”), than fret about whatever fresh hell The Donald and his minions are cooking up at every given moment. Not into fiction? There's plenty of nonfiction out there.

Don’t get me wrong: I have not completely disassociated from current events. I am still causing Good Trouble, but mostly behind the scenes. Which brings me to my next point.

My daughter held his poster while I played a recording of King's "I Have a Dream" speech during Trump's inauguration in January.

2) Do Something

As a traditional reporter for two decades, I felt hamstrung to do anything. The code of ethics states you can’t do anything that would bias your work, or to even give the appearance of a conflict of interest. Until recently, I worked at a nonprofit where again, I couldn’t say or do much that would show my beliefs.

From 2016 to 2020, I allowed my angst to eat me alive. This time around, I’ve resolved to take strategic actions and nudges that might make an impact on saving our democracy. I accompanied my daughter on a two-person protest near Trump’s inauguration in downtown D.C.

While I don’t feel I’m doing enough, I’m doing something. And, for now, that will have to be enough.

A view from my "office," twice a week. This space is in the lobby of the Montgomery County Recreation Center in downtown Silver Spring, in Maryland. Not a bad place to attempt work-life balance. At the counter is Lene, who makes a mean cup of coffee.

3) Find Your Remote Working Paradise

I’ve talked to people who rent office space a few days a week, and that’s probably a good idea. Me? I live in Montgomery County, Maryland, two miles from the new Silver Spring Recreation Center. For $320 per year, I (as someone over 50) have unlimited access to the county’s gleaming Olympic-style pool and two steamy hot tubs. Because I’m a county resident, I can access the rest of the rec center, using the other parts of the building as my office (though it doesn’t have any dedicated office space).

In the lobby is a Kefa coffee shop, which employs a woman named Lene, who pours some of my favorite coffee. Which I use for dunking fig bars. So, there I am. I’m writing. I’m dunking. I’m writing. It’s really something. (It doesn't look nearly as exciting in the picture above.)

My "office" includes an Olympic-size pool at the aquatic center in the Montgomery County Recreation Center, in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland. Maybe this work-life balance arrangement seems too good to be true. Because it is.

I spend two half-days a week there. I work from about 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. – then, I swim for a half hour, hot tub for about 20 minutes. I read a paperback novel while hot tubbing. It’s really something. That novel pictured above? Yes, that spent time in the hot tub, too.

Then, I go to lunch. When, you might ask, do I work? Well, you're reading this, aren't you?

The front door of my "office" at the recreation center in downtown Silver Spring.

Because I work from home, sometimes I think I should go there every day. But I almost feel guilty. It’s such a sweet deal. Since few of you live near me, I know I’m not spoiling this hidden gem. Let’s just keep this between us, ‘kay?

Another rough day at the "office."

Realizing you might not live or work near such a paradise, I can only suggest that you find an out-of-office sanctuary to establish some modicum of work-life balance. Maybe it’s just a fireplace in a coffee shop. Or an arboretum. Just somewhere to see something different while working.

4) Work-Life Balance Via Lunching with Ted

Most every Wednesday, my neighbor Ted (not his real name) and I go out to lunch. We’re always looking for discounts, good burgers, hidden culinary gems. We take turns buying lunch. We talk about all kinds of things, some work-related, other times, not. These lunches last 1.5 hours. (Did I mention I'm my own boss?).

What’s good about this is that Ted isn’t family. He’s not a co-worker. He’s just Ted Who Lives Down The Street.

And that’s just fine.

NOTE: I don’t spend mornings at the rec center, then have lunch with Ed. That would put me squarely in the retirement bracket, which I am not.

5) Work-Life Balance Sans Media Overload

I struggle with this, but I’m trying. I’ve found myself grabbing at my phone from the time I awaken until I rest my head on my pillow.

This includes social media of all kinds. I try not to argue on Facebook, Threads or Twitter anymore. I save my energy for doing things that might make a difference.

People were not meant to be connected to a device 24/7. My gym routine helps. But there is no work-life balance if all your free time has been absorbed by the internet.

Of all these work-life balance tips, I've been following this one the longest: immerse yourself in well-made movies. Above is a photo taken from "The Holdovers," my latest cinematic favorite, which stars Dominic Sessa and Paul Giamatti,. I encourage anyone who needs better work-life boundaries to immerse themselves in worthwhile films, to keep things in perspective.

6) Work-Life Balance Via a Cinematic Escape Hatch

In keeping with the strategy of reading novels escape from reality, I’m a big believer in consuming films to make sense of the world. A well-directed movie can have a similar impact as a well-written novel. I became a strong believer in the power of film while I was an editor of an alternative newspaper. One of my contributing writers, Frank Murphy, introduced me to directors John Ford (“Treasure of the Sierra Madre”), Sam Peckinpah (“Wild Bunch”), Akira Kurosawa (“Seven Samurai”) and John Houston (“Stage Coach”), among others.

Now I’m obsessed with the film “The Holdovers,” a holiday heart-tugger directed by Alexander Payne, and starring Paul Giamatti and Dominic Sessa.

Maybe you’re a Tim Burton (“Batman”) person. Or a Steven Spielberg (“Jaws”) fan. Maybe movies aren’t your thing. They work for me.

Keep your work-life balance stable with non-alcoholic beer. It's surprisingly good. You'll feel better.

7) Cut the Booze for a Better Work-Life Balance

This can be a divisive topic. Alcohol is one of those things many thinkers LOVE. I’ve had more than my share.

I can tell you that to stay as sharp as I need to be both professionally and personally, I’ve mostly cut the alcohol and am drinking non-alcoholic beer.

Not drinking helps me wake up with a clear mind and an even temper. And as I said, there’s lots of pressure in those boxes we’re told to produce in. I don’t need any flammable alcohol to make things more interesting than they are.

My favorite nonalcoholic beers are Run Wild Athletic and N/A Bitburger. I. personally. have never tried a good non-alcoholic liquor replacement.

8) Create Your Safe Time/Space for a Better Work-Life Balance

OK, so, I’m not a party animal nowadays. But most Saturday nights, I huddle into my den (called The Svengoolie Room) and watch something. Usually, I’ll have a snack and a drink. Sometimes, someone watches with me. Sometimes not.

It’s just time to decompress after a week. My den has knotty pine paneling, which is decorated with family pictures, posters, calendars. I put a Christmas tree in there in December, with a single ornament and a plaid sash.

It’s kinda trashy, but it’s my space and it’s my time.

9) Find a Therapist/Consigliere for a Semblance of Work-Life Balance

This advice is in keeping with directing energy where it belongs. So, if you’re having trouble processing a change, or facing a conflict you’re not sure how to handle, talk to an objective third party, first. Therapy is a good option. Or talk to someone like that you can trust. Don’t let conflict spiral out of control, and don’t bottle it up.

10) Adopt a Quarterly Plan for a Work-Life Balance

I got this advice from my friend, Jennifer Horst. Basically, create a list of daily actions that advance your life’s mission for the year. This helps you keep track of big-picture things that you often forget. This way, when December 2025 shows up, you’re not left holding an empty bag.

Here are a few things from my list:

– Exercise daily

– Check ComNet daily

– Call parents weekly

– Learn R (a coding language)

11) Have Some Fun for the Sake of Work-Life Balance

This doesn’t mean exercising. Or getting drunk. This means kidding around and not taking yourself or anyone else too seriously. Yes, this can mean having fun, even when other people don’t know you’re having fun.

For example, for Halloween 2023, I piled up leaves near our front porch, hid in the leaves, and jump-scared people. Other times, I troll people – good-naturedly – on the internet.

Like this:

When I'm on social media, I engage in good-natured trolling to maintain a semblance of work-life balance.

This might not be my best trolling, but it's all just another day in the life of someone attempting true work-life balance.

This is art I used to illustrate a Substack column I published last year, for my own mental health.

 BONUS TIP: Make Something

It's great to apply your talent/brainpower for your 9-5 job. But sometimes, it's good to use your skills for something beyond that. Maybe you can help a local group meet their objectives. Or you can help a friend start their business. Or maybe just create something for yourself. Personally, I feed my Substack account the columns I wish I could write for newspapers (remember those?). Whatever it is, make something you don't have to.

These things keep me sane-ish. I hope you find your way to a sane work-life balance, despite whatever dystopia you now live in.