Work-life blending – a term that you’ll hear a lot in the context of New Work and working remotely. But what is actually behind this concept? First of all, this counter-design to work-life balance means mixing professional and private matters. This means: there are no set working hours any longer – and with that, there’s also no separate time for leisure. Thus, the workload is supposed to get done flexibly depending on demand and scope instead of doing it during a set time frame. Supporters expect this to offer a better balance between family and career, for example, as well as the targeted use of individual productive phases. In reality however, that often means that the actual working time is extended uncontrollably.
Increasing pressure to perform and systematic self-exploitation, sometimes involving social and health-related consequences, often follow. Because if you don’t differentiate between work and free time, friends and colleagues, the risk of suffering burn out or defining yourself exclusively in terms of your job is high, which can lead to identity and existential crises. But many people notice this too late, since the way there is a gradual process.