Blurring the Line Between Work and Life: Why It Matters

When I first started my career, the message was clear: leave your personal life at the door. You came to work, did your job, and went home. Simple. Or at least, that’s what we were told.

But over the last five to six years—especially working in the mental health and wellbeing space—I’ve seen that idea start to shift. And honestly, I think it’s for the better. The truth is, none of us can completely shut off what’s happening outside of work. Our own experiences with stress, anxiety, and life’s challenges inevitably shape how we show up at work.

For me, this has never been clearer than in the last three months. My husband and I have just finished renovating our house and put it on the market. It’s been an exciting but extremely stressful process. I would love to say that I’ve been able to put that aside and focus purely on my clients, my team, and my work—but the reality is, it’s been hard. Life doesn’t pause when we walk through the office door.

What has made all the difference, though, is having a supportive boss. Someone who listens, makes space for what I’m going through, and empowers me to manage both my personal and professional responsibilities without feeling like I’m failing in either. That kind of support has been invaluable.

And it’s got me thinking: how do we create more workplaces where this kind of culture is the norm? How can leaders encourage their teams to bring their whole selves to work, without fear of judgment or repercussions? How can we support staff through the ups and downs of life in a way that strengthens, rather than weakens, our working relationships?

Because when we acknowledge the human side of our colleagues, we don’t just foster wellbeing—we build stronger, more resilient, and ultimately more effective teams.