Just Relaxed Blog

Tag: self-care

  • Quiet Quitting or Setting Boundaries? What’s Really Going on With Work-Life Balance Today

    Quiet Quitting or Setting Boundaries? What’s Really Going on With Work-Life Balance Today



    The Rise of “Quiet Quitting”: Disengagement or Self-Preservation?

    The term “quiet quitting” has sparked widespread debate about employee engagement, the pressure of hustle culture, and the ongoing struggle for work-life balance. But is this phenomenon truly a silent rebellion, or are we simply witnessing the emergence of healthy boundary-setting?

    From Hustle Culture to Burnout: Rethinking Workplace Expectations

    For years, the “hustle culture” mentality encouraged employees to constantly go above and beyond, equating busyness with success. This blurred the lines between personal and professional life, leading to widespread burnout, disengagement, and a much-needed reevaluation of priorities.

    Boundaries?

    At its core, quiet quitting involves fulfilling your basic job requirements without going the extra mile. While some view this as a concerning sign of employee apathy, others argue it’s a natural response to unsustainable workplace demands.

    The key lies in distinguishing between quiet quitting and setting healthy boundaries:

    • Quiet Quitting: This implies a lack of enthusiasm and a withdrawal from active participation, often motivated by a desire to avoid getting fired rather than a genuine interest in the work.
    • Setting Boundaries: This involves consciously defining limits to protect personal time and well-being. It’s a proactive approach to prioritizing mental and physical health without necessarily sacrificing job performance.

    Quiet quitting is passive and potentially detrimental, while setting boundaries is proactive and can lead to a more sustainable and fulfilling work experience.

    Redefining the Workplace: A Call for Balance

    The conversation around quiet quitting highlights a crucial need to shift our perspectives on work. It’s a wake-up call for both employers and employees.

    For Employers:

    • Re-evaluate Workloads: Ensure employee workloads and expectations are realistic and sustainable.
    • Promote Open Communication: Create a culture where employees feel comfortable discussing their needs and boundaries.
    • Prioritize Well-being: Recognize that a happy and balanced workforce is a more productive one.

    For Employees:

    • Communicate Clearly: Advocate for your needs and set boundaries clearly and respectfully.
    • Find Meaning in Your Work: Seek opportunities for fulfillment within established boundaries.
    • Embrace Boundaries as Self-Care: Recognize that setting boundaries is essential for long-term well-being and sustainable performance.
  • The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned From a Houseplant

    The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned From a Houseplant




    My Thumb Went From Brown to Slightly Less Brown

    Let’s be honest, I’m about as far from a “plant person” as you can get. I’m more likely to kill a cactus with kindness (read: overwatering) than nurture a delicate orchid. So, when my well-meaning friend gifted me a peace lily for my birthday, I accepted it with a smile and a silent prayer.

    plant would teach me some big life lessons.

    Lesson #1: Tough Love for a Thirsty Plant (and Me)

    For the first few weeks, I babied that peace lily like it was a newborn panda. I watered it constantly, sang to it (don’t judge!), and even invested in a fancy plant humidifier. But instead of thriving, my poor lily started to wilt. Its leaves drooped, turning an alarming shade of yellow. Panicked, I did what any sane person would do: I Googled it.

    Turns out, I was loving my plant to death. Too much water was suffocating its roots, and the humidity was just adding insult to injury. The solution? Cut back on the water, let the soil dry out, and give it some space to breathe.

    It felt counterintuitive, but I reluctantly followed the advice. And guess what? My little lily perked right up! It was a valuable lesson in tough love, both for my plant and for myself. Sometimes, the best thing we can do for ourselves and others is to step back, give space, and let things happen naturally.

    Lesson #2: The Peace Lily That Taught Me Patience

    Once I got the hang of not drowning my plant, I settled into a routine. I watered it when the soil was dry, gave it a bit of fertilizer every now and then, and generally tried to ignore it (in a loving way, of course!).

    For months, nothing much seemed to happen. My peace lily stayed the same size, its leaves a healthy green but with no new growth. I started to wonder if I was doing something wrong. Was it stuck? Had I somehow stunted its growth forever?

    Then, one morning, I walked into my living room and nearly tripped over a giant new leaf unfurling from the base of the plant. It had seemingly sprouted overnight, a vibrant symbol of silent progress. I realized that even when I couldn’t see it, my plant had been growing underground, strengthening its roots and gathering the energy it needed to flourish.

  • The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant

    The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant




    The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant


    My Thumb Was More of a Cactus

    Let’s be honest, I’m not exactly known for my green thumb. In fact, I’m pretty sure my houseplants from college years ago are still having nightmares. So, when my well-meaning friend gifted me a peace lily for my birthday, I accepted it with a smile and a silent prayer. “Please don’t die, please don’t die,” I chanted internally, picturing yet another funeral for a leafy friend.

    Peace Lily

    To my surprise, the peace lily thrived. It even graced me with a beautiful white bloom! But then life happened. I forgot to water it for a week (or two…okay, maybe three). The leaves drooped, turning an alarming shade of yellow. “This is it,” I thought, “another plant bites the dust.” But then, remembering a random tip from the internet, I gave it a good soak and…it perked back up!

    It was like watching a botanical resurrection. My little peace lily taught me that even when we wilt under pressure, a little TLC can go a long way. We all have the strength to bounce back from setbacks, sometimes we just need a little help (and maybe a reminder to set a watering schedule).

    Lesson #2: Finding Patience in the Growth of a Peace Lily

    Now, I’m a bit of an instant gratification kind of gal. I like to see results, and I like to see them now. But my peace lily? It taught me the art of patience. It didn’t sprout new leaves overnight. It didn’t bloom on command (though I admit I tried talking to it…a lot). It grew at its own pace, in its own time.