Are You Working to Live or Living to Work?
- May 8, 2025
- 5 min read
Written by Jennifer Jones, Pilates & Yoga Teacher
Jennifer Jones is a Pilates, Yoga, and Meditation teacher and founder of JenZen Wellness, a holistic health and wellness company. She specialises in supporting women over 40 to prioritise their health and embrace their true selves. Jennifer offers both online and in-person classes and coaching sessions.
Many years ago, I remember hearing a colleague say she “works to live, not live to work.” When I heard those words, they stopped me in my tracks. I had never heard anyone say that before. What she meant was this: if all you ever do is work, when do you actually get to live?
Her words resonated so deeply that I made them part of my work ethic, long before I ever stepped foot into the wellness industry. Back when I was a graphic designer, I was committed to ending my work day on time, so consistently that my boss once joked you could set your watch by me. He wasn’t wrong. My mindset was simple: if I had completed my work for the day, why stay late? That’s not to say I never worked beyond my hours; I did, but only when it was truly necessary.
For me, having time for myself was a priority back then, and it still is now.
The problem with living to work
That old phrase came rushing back to me during a conversation with a student late last year. She had taken my Pilates classes years ago and had only just returned.
After class, during some casual chit-chat, she opened up and shared why she had stopped coming.
She had fallen into a trap many of us know all too well: the pursuit of building a successful business and accumulating wealth to create the lifestyle we dream of. It’s a noble pursuit, no doubt. But without self-awareness, you may find yourself living to work, rather than working to live.
That’s exactly what happened to her. She owned her own business and was deeply committed to it. She loved what she did. Her business was thriving; it was a dream come true. Her ambition and unwavering dedication to her clients were admirable.
But that same drive came at a high price: her health, her relationships, and her sense of self.
She didn’t realise how deeply work had consumed her life. Long hours. Poor eating habits. No rest. No movement. No time for connection. She became anxious, exhausted, and emotionally depleted. Her relationships suffered. Her marriage, family, and friendships were affected. She had no time for anyone, least of all herself.
Her wake-up call came in the form of an anxiety attack that landed her in a doctor’s office. That was her turning point. From that moment, she decided to take a step back and re-evaluate her life, her values, and what truly matters.
Why this matters for your well-being
Self-awareness is key in every area of life, and it’s especially important when it comes to our careers and businesses. No one sets out with the intention of living to work. But in a culture that glorifies hustle and productivity, it happens all too easily.
Society, generational conditioning, and media messaging have programmed many of us to believe that constant achievement equals success. But over time, this chronic overworking becomes one of the fastest paths to burnout.
It floods your body with stress hormones. It disrupts sleep. Affects your digestion. Impacts your weight. Leaves you emotionally drained. Even if you don’t say it out loud, the resentment builds. The joy fades.
Practising self-awareness helps you notice the signs before you spiral and gives you the power to change course. But awareness alone isn’t enough. It’s what you do with that awareness that makes the difference.
That’s where making gentle shifts comes in, small, doable changes that help you honour your limits, reclaim your time, and live more fully.
8 gentle shifts to help you work to live (not the other way around)
Keep your regular working hours: Only stay late or go in early when it’s genuinely necessary. Your time is valuable, on and off the clock, and if possible, avoid bringing work home.
Delegate where you can: You don’t have to do it all yourself. Asking for help isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom. If you have support staff, trust them. If not, speak with leadership about realistic workload expectations.
Say no more often: Especially when your plate is already full. “No” is a full sentence. You don’t need to justify it.
Create physical boundaries: Close the laptop. Put the phone down. Little rituals like lighting a candle or changing into comfy clothes can help your body shift into rest mode
Take a vacation: There is no guilt. There is no “just checking emails.” Take the time off to travel, reap the benefits of your hard work! Or simply rest and reconnect with yourself and your loved ones.
Disconnect from the noise: Pick a time each evening to shut off notifications, group chats, and work apps. Protect your peace like the precious resource it is.
Make self-care non-negotiable: Movement, rest, joy, nourishment, none of these are luxuries. They are fuel. Prioritise them like you would any other meeting or appointment.
Reconnect with your people: The ones you love are the reason you work so hard. Don’t just live for them, live with them.
It starts with awareness and continues with choice
It’s easy to lose ourselves in the doing, especially when we take pride in being successful women. But success doesn’t have to mean self-sacrifice. Self-awareness is the first step; choosing differently is the next.
You’re allowed to love your job and leave it at the end of the day. Because the goal isn’t just to earn a living; it’s to actually live. And you, my friend, deserve a life that includes you in it.
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Read more from Jennifer Jones
Jennifer Jones, Pilates & Yoga Teacher
Jennifer Jones is a certified Stott Pilates® Matwork Instructor, registered E-RYT 200HR, 500HR Rasa Yoga teacher, and a CNTRD Wellness Meditation teacher. For many years, health and fitness have been an important part of her life in helping manage frequent back pain. As a teacher, Jennifer's passion is to educate and empower her students and clients by providing them with useful tools to support their well-being. Her classes are inclusive, creative, fun, and educational. Jennifer is a highly experienced pilates and yoga instructor who holds multiple certifications including specialties in Group Matwork, Core®, Hot Yoga, and Yin Yoga.
