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Harvesting Seeds of Work-Life Integration

Updated: Mar 16

Kalee Thompson
Educating Mindfully Board Member
International School Counselor, Holistic Educator, Yoga Instructor
Georgia, USA & New Delhi, India


Work-life integration suggests a sense of harmony, or at least a striving towards harmonious living. For some, this comes naturally, as they work in environments that permit, or even encourage, authentic self-expression. For others, showing up authentically can be risky or problematic. However, some degree of integration remains possible in certain areas. Wherever you find yourself on this spectrum, it's okay. Regardless of your situation, pursuing some level of integration is likely a path to greater harmony.


Integration isn't always overt or visible, though it can be. For some, it manifests as leading a meditation club at work; for others, it's finding solace with a guided meditation during a lunch break. Integration can mean immersing oneself in work with passionate alignment or setting intentional boundaries to allocate effort while preserving energy. Work-life integration might mean proudly wearing a statement t-shirt or quietly offering well wishes for a leader. Integration is deeply personal, with no single path to achieving it.


True integration resides in the pause, in the quiet moments between actions. The pause. The breath. The moment-to-moment choice to live in the light, to be the light in the darkness. Integration and authenticity are co-pilots on the path to peace. When we embody our most authentic selves, integration naturally follows, in one form or another. Work-life integration is deeply personal, manifesting differently for each individual based on their environment, preferences, and personality.


The choice of "integration" is deliberate. We are not pursuing balance, a potentially harmful myth. As humans navigating the human experience, we naturally encounter periods where certain aspects of life demand more attention than others. That’s real! As a mother of two young children who works full-time as a school counselor, there are days when many items do not get checked off my to-do list and dinner is ordered out. This is ok!  I prioritized being present for my children. Thus, we strive for integration, not balance. On days when my children need my undivided attention and for me to put my laptop away, I power down and take a deep breath so I am able to adjust my priorities to align with the present moment. This is integration. It requires thoughtfulness and intention—deliberate boundary setting, both physical and emotional.


When we can integrate our work and home lives, to whatever extent feels safe and beneficial, a sense of peace emerges. Alignment occurs more naturally, with less force and more flow. How can you incorporate more integration into your day?


Ideas for Cultivating the Seeds of Presence:

  • Setting an intention for the day is a powerful way to set the tone for your experience.

  • Make peace with where you are, allowing everything to be.

  • Taking a deep breath when feeling overwhelmed. This article on Psychology Today offers practical tips and great information about breathwork. 

  • Establishing and maintaining energetic boundaries (personal adult well-being practice opportunity: Check out this article about Energetic Boundary practices and how it can make a difference when serving others). 

  • Sharing a personal story with a colleague.

  • Joining a workplace club that aligns with your hobbies or passions (example, a walking club, weekly tea connection, pickleball, etc.).

  • Make a habit of releasing the workday. This might involve listening to a podcast in the car or changing out of your work attire upon arriving home to signify a shift.

  • Be gentle with yourself, as work-life integration is a journey, not a destination. This task will naturally vary in ease from day to day, and that's perfectly acceptable. We strive for our best, and sometimes we fall short. Extend yourself grace as you navigate this path.

  • Create a "Joy List" of things that bring you genuine smiles. Pay close attention to how you feel as you visualize these items. After reviewing your list, consider how you can intentionally weave more of these joyful elements into your work-life. A simple practice I employ is taking the scenic route to meetings, walking outside between buildings to appreciate the blooming trees.

  • Engage in the "Morning, Afternoon, Evening" embodiment practice from the Educating Mindfully card deck resource.



Featured companion Mindfulness-Based SEL Lesson Inspiration for Educating Mindfully Members:

  • Educating Mindfully members, be sure to log into your account before clicking the link so you are taken directly to this resource. Not a member yet and would like to gain access to this resource and more? Consider joining us today or ask your school/district leadership team to invest in an Educating Mindfully Group Membership so every staff member has access. 


Lesson Coming Soon!



 


About the Author

Kalee Thompson is a mother to two darling and spunky children, a yoga + meditation teacher, a holistic educator, and has been an elementary school counselor at the American Embassy School in New Delhi, India as well as at the Atlanta International School. Kalee is a Transformative Educational Leadership Fellow and a featured meditation teacher on the Insight Timer app. In 2022, she gave a TEDx talk on “The Oh so Simple and Life-Changing Power of Gratitude”. Kalee is passionate about whole-school wellness and has led countless workshops for faculty, students, staff, and parents on the topic. In the summer of 2025, Kalee will publish her first book called One Breath at a Time: A Sacred yet Practical Guide to Living with Presence and Purpose as an Educator. It has been Kalee’s honor to teach mindfulness practices around the world in private + public schools, homeless shelters, studios, backyards, and festivals. Gratitude is her religion and being present is her life’s work. To nourish her soul, Kalee loves spending time in nature with her family, riding horses, and designing dresses made of beautiful Indian textiles.

 

Connect with Kalee!


 
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1件のコメント

olsen janiffer
olsen janiffer
3月25日

s

いいね！
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