In an article by the American Psychological Association, I came across a section that highlighted how the culture of work is reaching a boiling point. There’s an urgent need for psychologically healthy workplaces that promote connection, safety, and respect.
It’s no surprise there’s a disconnect between how people believe they should feel about their jobs (passionate, fulfilled) and how they actually feel (disillusioned, burned out).
The article mentioned how it’s easy to believe our happiness hinges on our work experience, something I have wrestled with myself. But, our identities and life purposes are far more expansive than just our professional lives. What if we balanced our energy between finding purpose-driven work and cultivating meaning and connection in the hours outside the workplace?
As we pursue our passions, it is worth examining our narratives about work—what we expect from it, what we’re hoping it will give us in return, and how fits into our broader purpose in life.
Work can be deeply meaningful. Some of life’s most fulfilling moments come from collaborating with others to make a difference. But we are more than our work. Creating psychological distance can help us reflect on the role we want work to play in our lives and remind us that our careers are just one of many ways we get to show up in the world.
Read more from the Monitor on Psychology's annual trends issue: https://at.apa.org/83dcf9