From Work-Life Balance to Joy Planning: A New Approach
A reflection on shifting from the elusive goal of work-life balance to the intentional practice of joy planning—designing moments of joy as a flexible, personal, and sustainable framework.
From Work-Life Balance to Joy Planning: A New Approach
I recently had a powerful conversation with my Annenberg colleagues on joy and care in institutions (listen here: Annenberg Conversations). During our discussion, my dean, Sarah Banet-Weiser, raised a game-changing point:
💡 What if we moved from "work-life balance" to "joy planning"?
Honestly, I’m not sure work-life balance is even real. It feels more like an aspiration than an achievable state. My life has never been balanced. I’ve tried to fit in self-care, vacations, and rest—but let’s be real: the demands of work don’t pause, and even when I’m resting, my mind often drifts back to work.
But joy planning? That feels like something we can control. It’s not about trying to weigh work against life in some impossible equation. It’s about intentionally designing moments of joy—at work, at home, and everywhere in between. Joy planning is flexible, personal, and real.
Instead of striving for balance, let’s ask:
🔹 What brings me joy at work?
🔹 How can I integrate joy into my day, even in small ways?
🔹 What do I need to feel nourished, seen, and energized?
Joy planning gives us permission to prioritize joy—not as an afterthought, but as a central part of how we move through life.
What’s one way you can bring joy into your day today? Let’s build this framework together.
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