His wife, Meera, was tired. For years, she had been managing everything at home alone. They had three children, and she took care of their needs, school, and daily life without much help from Antaru. He was always busy—weekdays, weekends, even during holidays. His phone never stopped ringing, and there was always an important meeting to attend. To Meera, it felt like Antaru only used their home as a place to eat and sleep. She missed him. The children missed him too.
One day, Meera decided to do something. She convinced Antaru to visit a psychologist with her. At first, Antaru was reluctant. He believed he was doing everything for his family’s good future. But Meera insisted, and he finally agreed.
The Visit to the Psychologist
Dr. Sinha, the psychologist, welcomed them warmly. Meera started speaking first.
“Doctor, my husband is a workaholic. He is never home. Even when he is, he is busy with his phone or laptop. Our children are growing up without their father. I feel like I am alone in this marriage. He only comes home to sleep.” Her voice broke, and she wiped her tears.
Antaru looked down, feeling guilty. He had never seen it from her perspective. He had always believed he was doing his duty by providing for them.
Dr. Sinha nodded and turned to Antaru. “What do you think about what your wife just said?”
“I love my family,” Antaru said. “I work hard for them. I want to give them a good life.”
“But at what cost?” the doctor asked gently. “Your wife feels lonely. Your children are growing up without your presence. And your health is also suffering.”
Antaru sighed. It was true. Lately, he had been feeling tired all the time. He had frequent headaches and trouble sleeping. He had ignored it, thinking it was just stress. But deep inside, he knew he was pushing himself too much.
Still, he argued, “Doctor, if I don’t work hard, how will my family have a secure future? I have responsibilities. I can’t just slow down now.”
Dr. Sinha smiled patiently. “I understand, Antaru. Work is important. But tell me, what is the point of securing a future if you are not present to enjoy it with your family? Your wife is not asking you to stop working. She just wants you to be present with them too. Balance is the key.”
Antaru was silent. He had never thought about it that way.
Dr. Sinha continued, “Let me give you four important steps to help you find a balance.”
Steps Towards Work-Life Balance
1. Set Work Boundaries – “You must set clear limits for work. Stop answering calls and emails after office hours unless it’s an emergency.”
Antaru frowned. “But what if something urgent comes up?”
Dr. Sinha nodded. “Emergencies are different, but most calls can wait. If you constantly make yourself available, people will expect you to be. If you set boundaries, others will respect your time.”
Antaru still looked unsure. Dr. Sinha continued, “Here’s how you can do it:
- Set a fixed time to stop working every day and stick to it.
- Turn off work notifications after office hours.
- Inform your colleagues and clients about your availability.
- Have a separate workspace at home to mentally switch between work and personal life.
- Practice saying ‘no’ to extra work that is not urgent.”
Antaru nodded slowly. “I see your point. I suppose I can try these steps.”
2. Family Time is Important – “Dedicate time to your family. Even small moments matter. Have dinner together. Talk to your children. Go for a walk with your wife.”
Antaru hesitated. “I don’t think my family will accept it immediately. They are used to me being busy.”
Meera spoke softly. “We don’t need big changes all at once. Just spending some time with us, being mentally present, will make a difference.”
Dr. Sinha added, “It’s not about grand gestures. Even ten undistracted minutes can strengthen your bond with your family.”
3. Plan Weekends Wisely – “Weekends are for rest and family. Avoid scheduling meetings. Spend quality time with your loved ones.”
Antaru sighed. “I have clients in different time zones. Sometimes, weekends are the only time they are available.”
Dr. Sinha nodded. “I understand. But can you limit it? Maybe keep one weekend day work-free?”
Antaru thought for a moment. “I suppose I could try that.”
4. Take Care of Your Health – “Exercise regularly, eat healthy food, and get enough sleep. A sick person cannot take care of anyone, not even their job.”
Antaru looked down. “I don’t have time to exercise. And sometimes, I skip meals because I’m so busy.”
Dr. Sinha smiled. “That’s exactly why you are feeling unwell. Small changes can help. A 15-minute walk, eating meals on time don’t take much time but can make a big difference.”
Antaru listened carefully. He realized that he had been ignoring his family’s needs and his own well-being. He looked at Meera, who had a hopeful look in her eyes. He didn’t want to lose the people he loved the most.
Dr. Sinha added, “Small changes can make a big difference. Try these steps, and you will see how work and family can exist together in harmony.”
Antaru nodded slowly. It was time to make a change.
Success is not just about work achievements. True success is having a balance between work, family, and health. Prioritise what truly matters in life.
