If you’re struggling to juggle your work commitments with your love life then you’re not alone. Maintaining the right balance can be difficult, especially if you are working long hours or studying alongside working to boost your job prospects.
If you don’t have a good work-life balance, then your relationship is likely to suffer. The good news is, you can have a successful career and a loving relationship. You just need to plan your time well, set clear boundaries, and remember to prioritize your partner.
Here are nine ways to balance your career with your relationship.
1. Set clear boundaries
Setting boundaries is a vital part of maintaining a good work-life balance. Work boundaries help to protect your time and energy and prevent you from becoming stressed and burnt out. You should discuss your work boundaries with your partner and set clear expectations e.g. when you expect to arrive home each day, when you will work from home, any overtime, and so on.
Avoid bringing work home with you when possible and try to switch off from work in the evenings and at weekends. Setting clear boundaries will allow you to enjoy your partner and make time to focus on your relationship. Read this article by Career Contessa for advice on how to establish healthy boundaries at work.
2. Schedule a weekly date night
Scheduling time in your calendar might not seem like the most romantic or spontaneous approach to dating, but it’s the best way to make time to focus on your relationship. Planning a date night with your partner is just like planning a lunch or dinner with a friend who you haven’t seen in a while, so find a time that works for you both and pencil it into the diary.
Having one night a week that is dedicated to your partner is better than trying to spend time together every day and being distracted or tired because of work. A recent study by the University of Virginia found that couples who have a dedicated date night once a week were 3.5 times more likely to report being “very happy” in their relationships. Date nights will give you the opportunity to catch up, reconnect, and re-ignite the spark in your relationship.
Here are some of the best date night ideas for busy couples:
- Have a romantic candle-lit meal at a restaurant you haven’t tried before.
- Go to your local park and have a sunset picnic.
- Play a board game or watch a movie at home—click here for some more at-home date night ideas for busy couples.
- Book a cooking or cocktail-making class.
- Take a dancing lesson or learn a new skill.
- Plan a romantic vacation or trip with your partner.
- Enjoy some pampering by booking a massage or spa experience.
3. Advance your career with online qualifications
If you are hoping to advance in your career and move up the career ladder, then it is likely that you will need to earn additional qualifications. Trying to balance studying with work and life can put even more pressure on your relationship and make it difficult to spend quality time with your partner.
Online qualifications offer excellent flexibility and make it easier to maintain a healthy work-life balance. There is a huge variety of online qualifications to suit every job role and industry. For instance, a registered nurse hoping to transition into a senior nursing role can complete an online Doctor of Nursing Practice to expand their skills and expertise.
Juggling your relationship with studying and a career won’t be easy and you will need to work hard to find the right balance. Set clear boundaries, plan your time well, and make time for your partner, even if it’s only one day a week.
4. Learn to compromise
If you and your partner are both pursuing high-profile careers, then it’s likely that you will both have to make compromises and sacrifices along with way. Speak openly with your partner and discuss what you would both be willing to sacrifice. A healthy relationship must have a good balance when it comes to compromising and sacrifices.
For example, have a conversation about whether you would be prepared to relocate if one of you gets offered a big promotion in another city or state. You should acknowledge any sacrifices that your partner makes to support your career and be willing to do the same to help them achieve their career goals.
5. Support each other unconditionally
It can be difficult to show an interest in your partner’s career when you get home tired after a long and stressful day at work. However, failing to support your partner’s career and aspirations can lead to feelings of resentment and this will cause arguments and harm your relationship.
Use evening meals as an opportunity to discuss your careers and goals. Make sure that you listen to your partner when they are talking about their work and show them that you believe in them and will support them.
Takeyoursuccess.com explains how “work can be stressful, so it’s important that your partner can come home to someone who is enthusiastic about their work life.” Celebrate each other’s successes, provide constant encouragement, and support each other when you are feeling down or stressed.
6. Share household chores
Many couples argue over housework, especially when one person feels that their partner is not contributing a fair share to the household chores. A recent relationship survey found that 80%of couples report having disagreements over the division of housework. Most people don’t enjoy cleaning, especially after a long day. However, it’s essential if you want to maintain a clean, hygienic, and clutter-free living environment.
The easiest way to avoid arguments over housework is by sharing out the household chores fairly. If one of you works fewer hours, then you may decide that they will take responsibility for a larger proportion of the household duties. If this is the case, then make sure that you discuss this openly and agree on it first.
Try to make cleaning fun and always thank your partner for what they do around the house. Showing your appreciation will bring you and your partner closer and help to prevent bickering around household chores.
7. Pursue your hobbies and interests
Arguments often occur in couples when one partner feels that there is an imbalance in the relationship. For instance, if one partner is busy launching a new business and working long hours and the other partner has lots of time on their hands, this can cause the other partner to feel neglected and frustrated, leading to arguments and a loss of closeness.
If you find yourself in this position, then find activities that you enjoy doing rather than relying on your partner to fill the void. Remember that it is healthy to have separate hobbies and interests in a relationship. Time apart can be a great opportunity to grow individually and become closer as a couple.
8. Discuss finances openly
Research shows that money disagreements are one of the top reasons why couples argue. It is crucial that you and your partner have regular conversations about finances and discuss money openly. For instance, discuss whether you would be able and willing to support your partner financially if they lost their job or decided to go back to school to pursue a different career path.
Talk about your financial expectations with your partner early on in your relationship and make sure that you are on the same page when it comes to your spending habits, your approach to saving, and so on. Talking about money can be uncomfortable, but it is an essential part of having a healthy and happy relationship.
9. Have fun together
Demanding jobs are stressful and it can be difficult to make time for your partner when you are busy going after your career goals and aspirations. However, you must make your partner a priority and remember to have fun together. Plan exciting date nights, have fun experiences, and remember to be a team and support each other unconditionally.
Here are five ways to bring more fun into your relationship:
- Surprise each other.
- Send flirty messages.
- Be silly and make each other laugh.
- Travel to new places together.
- Write a bucket list
Your career is important, but true love is hard to come by and you should never sacrifice your relationship for the sake of a job. Cherish your relationship and maintain a healthy balance between work and your love life.
Summary
It can be difficult to balance love with your career, especially if you and your partner both work in demanding jobs. Finding quality time together can be a challenge and you might need to put in a bit of extra effort to make your relationship work. You don’t need to sacrifice your relationship for your career—it is possible to have both.
These tips will help you find success in your career and maintain a happy, healthy, and loving relationship.
