At 21, I had a vision—wondering if this was it.

I was sitting in my office at Sunlife Financial, watching the clock tick toward 8:30 AM—already exhausted from the hour-long subway ride downtown, half-spilling my coffee, skipping breakfast, and wondering: Is this it?

Every morning was the same. Rushing. Commuting. Sitting under fluorescent lights, staring at spreadsheets, counting down the hours until I could leave.

I dreamed of something different. Of freedom. Of working from a laptop, anywhere in the world. Of waking up to the sound of waves or mountain air instead of an alarm clock.

And now? That’s exactly what I have.

Right now, I’m writing this from Pisac, Peru—a small mountain town where I decided to stay for a few months, just because I can. The first time I visited, I was 26, hiking the Salkantay Trek. I remember the moment we reached a lush valley—green grass, farm animals grazing, mountains in the background. The air was warm. The world felt open. And I thought: Why can’t life be like this all the time?

Well, now it is. If I get restless, I’ll go back to Los Angeles. Or somewhere new. No office. No clocking in. No rigid schedule. Just work that moves with me.

But what my 21-year-old self didn’t realize is that freedom without structure isn’t freedom—it’s chaos. 

The flexibility of remote work is often painted as the ultimate dream—no commutes, a personalized workspace, and the freedom to set your own hours. But what no one talks about is the blurred boundaries that come with it. Without clear separation, work seeps into personal time, leading to stress, exhaustion, and burnout. 

Some days, I struggle to get motivated when the mountains of Peru are calling me to hike. Other days, I get lost in work for hours, with no one to remind me to take a break, to eat, to rest. The balance is entirely on me.

Research from the American Psychological Association highlights that remote workers who lack defined boundaries between work and life experience higher stress levels and lower job satisfaction.

Meanwhile, Eastern philosophy emphasizes harmonizing energy rather than compartmentalizing time—showing that balance is less about rigid separation and more about intentional flow between work and rest. I’ll write more on this in future blog posts.

So how do we create balance in a world where there are no built-in stops, no office walls, and no clear lines between work and life?

That’s what I’ve been learning—and unlearning—on this journey.

1️⃣ Designate a Workspace That Works for You

Your environment shapes your mindset. Without a dedicated workspace, home can feel like an office 24/7, blurring the lines between personal and professional life. Studies in environmental psychology show that specific spaces trigger cognitive associations. When you work from the couch or bed, your brain struggles to distinguish between relaxation and work mode.

💻 Set up a workspace that signals focus. Whether it’s a home office or a specific desk corner, ensure that space is for work only—helping your brain transition in and out of work mode more effectively.

2️⃣ Set Clear Work Hours—and Stick to Them

Flexibility can be both a gift and a trap. Without structured work hours, it’s easy to overwork or feel constantly “on.  A study by the Harvard Business Review found that remote employees who lack fixed schedules work longer hours than office workers, often leading to burnout.

⏰ Choose consistent work hours and communicate them to your team. Set a hard stop time each day and use tools like calendar blocks to protect personal time.

3️⃣ Build Rituals to Transition In and Out of Work Mode

Commuting used to provide a natural buffer between work and home life. Without it, many remote workers struggle to mentally “clock out.” In Buddhist mindfulness practices, transitions are sacred moments to reset energy. Small rituals—such as a short walk, lighting a candle, or deep breathing—can signal the shift between work and personal time.

🌄 Create a shutdown routine at the end of the workday. This could include closing your laptop, stepping outside, or engaging in a short meditation to help your brain disconnect.

4️⃣ Prioritize Time Off—Without Guilt

When your office is just a few steps away, it’s tempting to check emails or “just finish one more thing” during personal time. But rest is essential for long-term performance. Dr. Adam Grant shows that people who take intentional breaks and vacations return with increased creativity and focus.

🔇 Set digital boundaries—disable work notifications outside of work hours and fully unplug during time off. Treat personal time as non-negotiable for your well-being.

5️⃣ Make Time for Meaningful Non-Work Activities

Work-life balance isn’t just about working less—it’s about making space for what fulfills you outside of work. Positive psychology shows that engaging in hobbies, social activities, and time in nature increases life satisfaction and resilience.

🎨 Schedule personal time with the same priority as work tasks. Whether it’s exercise, a creative pursuit, or social time, treat it as an essential investment in your well-being.

🔆 Balance is a Practice, Not a Destination 

Work-life balance isn’t about perfection—it’s about awareness and consistent adjustments.

By setting boundaries, honoring personal time, and integrating mindful transitions, remote work can offer both freedom and fulfillment.

What’s one small change you can make this week to strengthen your work-life balance?