The beauty of a blended life, I think, is that we can cope with times that others would find difficult. No matter how taxing, ruthless or intense many of my work roles have been, I'd always be the one to cook for friends, be creative, decorate and keep busy.
My life changed abruptly and although it's hell (mostly) you'll still find me keeping busy on things I enjoy, albeit without the friends, finance and hopes of previous times.
Thanks Julia - and thanks for leaving a note on this, my first Substack post! I am astonished at the human capacity to adapt creatively to all kinds of adversity. It doesn't mean we can go 'back' but we can grow.
MargaretHeffernanland! Did a little chortle to this thinking how great it would be to have somewhere we could all talk about all these things more and more and then I realised On the Level might be just that! Could not agree more about the word balance - it's always struck me as a bonkers notion and I love the reframing around blending. So glad you have started this.
I was just writing about something similar this past Sunday on elderberries, titled, I'm Not Busy, I'm Buzzing. I've always hated the term work/ life, although I have no issues with the delicate balance between work and family.
I share the same choice pattern, do good, share love, keep growing. And aren't we extraordinarily lucky to be able to do so. And earn a living at it!
And i can vouch that you are an extraordinarily good cook!!
Margaret, your article deeply resonated—thank you for sharing your wisdom. I loved how you reframed "work-life balance" into a more integrated lifework—so freeing in a world obsessed with compartmentalization and simplification.
Your three guiding questions—fun, social good, interesting people—are brilliant in their simplicity, and they’ve inspired me to reflect on my own choices. And your story about reshaping a stressful day through perspective? Such a powerful reminder that how we see life shapes our experience.
As someone who’s often teased for taking 'work' books on vacation, your lifeaholic mindset feels like permission to embrace it all with more joy. Thank you for this refreshing lens—your words will stay with me.
Thanks for your thoughtful reply. I often think I wage war on jargon, which simplifies what is complex and rich and leaves with with a shallow sense of understanding. Or maybe I'm just being defensive, because balance isn't really my talent :-)
Hi Margaret. I was chuffed to see you launch this Substack. I often rewatch your Ted talks and share them with new joiners. You make a fascinating point here. We often think of the daily parts of our lives in separation from one another e.g. personal, family, work etc. But I agree with you. The lines continue to blur between them. It’s a better outlook on life, if we see all that we do, as life.
Thank you, Margaret for putting the right words behind our complex reality. Indeed, it is a better way to take life, work, relationships, and their lot of demands and energy if we see them all as part of life. As "lifework", instead of stressing to find work-life balance. Work can also be an important source of satisfaction.
To a lifework! And to trusting that both the moments of intense activity and intense inactivity will bring us useful knowledge.
Lifeaholic - I love that term and it very much resonates with me. Looking forward to seeing more of these insightful pieces
What a great essay on life: thank you!
The beauty of a blended life, I think, is that we can cope with times that others would find difficult. No matter how taxing, ruthless or intense many of my work roles have been, I'd always be the one to cook for friends, be creative, decorate and keep busy.
My life changed abruptly and although it's hell (mostly) you'll still find me keeping busy on things I enjoy, albeit without the friends, finance and hopes of previous times.
Thanks Julia - and thanks for leaving a note on this, my first Substack post! I am astonished at the human capacity to adapt creatively to all kinds of adversity. It doesn't mean we can go 'back' but we can grow.
MargaretHeffernanland! Did a little chortle to this thinking how great it would be to have somewhere we could all talk about all these things more and more and then I realised On the Level might be just that! Could not agree more about the word balance - it's always struck me as a bonkers notion and I love the reframing around blending. So glad you have started this.
I was just writing about something similar this past Sunday on elderberries, titled, I'm Not Busy, I'm Buzzing. I've always hated the term work/ life, although I have no issues with the delicate balance between work and family.
I share the same choice pattern, do good, share love, keep growing. And aren't we extraordinarily lucky to be able to do so. And earn a living at it!
And i can vouch that you are an extraordinarily good cook!!
Thanks Aviva: kindred spirits!
Margaret, your article deeply resonated—thank you for sharing your wisdom. I loved how you reframed "work-life balance" into a more integrated lifework—so freeing in a world obsessed with compartmentalization and simplification.
Your three guiding questions—fun, social good, interesting people—are brilliant in their simplicity, and they’ve inspired me to reflect on my own choices. And your story about reshaping a stressful day through perspective? Such a powerful reminder that how we see life shapes our experience.
As someone who’s often teased for taking 'work' books on vacation, your lifeaholic mindset feels like permission to embrace it all with more joy. Thank you for this refreshing lens—your words will stay with me.
Thanks for your thoughtful reply. I often think I wage war on jargon, which simplifies what is complex and rich and leaves with with a shallow sense of understanding. Or maybe I'm just being defensive, because balance isn't really my talent :-)
Hi Margaret. I was chuffed to see you launch this Substack. I often rewatch your Ted talks and share them with new joiners. You make a fascinating point here. We often think of the daily parts of our lives in separation from one another e.g. personal, family, work etc. But I agree with you. The lines continue to blur between them. It’s a better outlook on life, if we see all that we do, as life.
Thanks Adam. And welcome!
Lifeaholic. I live that idea.
I meant to type love but perhaps for once the spellchecker is pushing me a bit further!
Thank you, Margaret for putting the right words behind our complex reality. Indeed, it is a better way to take life, work, relationships, and their lot of demands and energy if we see them all as part of life. As "lifework", instead of stressing to find work-life balance. Work can also be an important source of satisfaction.
To a lifework! And to trusting that both the moments of intense activity and intense inactivity will bring us useful knowledge.
Thanks Silvia!