The Best of Forge 2019

3 Ideas to Improve Your Work-Life Balance

Our best advice on stepping back, saying no, and securing time off when you need it

Illustration: Caitlin Keegan. Originally appeared in “7 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Committing to Anything”

One of the cruelest parts of returning to the daily grind after the winter holidays have passed — armed with a fresh planner, a list of resolutions, and a new, eager optimism — is remembering that the calendar is really the only thing that’s different. New year, new you, but same job. Same boss who regularly schedules meetings at 5:30 on a Friday. Same cubicle right next to Rhonda, who loves to pepper her small talk with invasive personal questions.

Short of finding a new gig, there’s not much you can do to change your manager or your co-workers. What you can do, though, is redefine the role your job plays in your life. And once you’ve figured out what you want that to look like, you can negotiate to make it happen. Here are a few of Forge’s best reads on achieving work-life balance.

How to Ask for a Mental Health Day at Work by Deanna Pai

It’s inevitable: At some point this year, you’re going to need a break from work. Please take it. You don’t need to go into details, and you don’t need to feel bad about it. Here’s how to request time off to give your mind…