10 Promises for Work-Life Balance tips: My New-Born Project List
Work-life balance tips aka. New-Born project
In my previous post, I shared the moment I hit rock bottom and the origin of my New-Born Project. Having worked intensely in the fashion industries of Seoul, Hong Kong, Sweden, and now New York City, I’ve realized how easily we can lose ourselves in the hustle. Today, I want to introduce the 10 specific work-life balance tips I’ve committed to as part of my journey to reclaim my identity.
1. Balcony Gardening for the “Black Thumb”: Rehearsing for the Future
Working on the front lines of fashion every day left me with no mental margin. My long-term dream has always been to retire to a small rural village, grow my own vegetables, and brew my own spirits. However, I am notoriously bad with plants—I’ve even managed to kill a cactus. Despite my “black thumb,” a friend encouraged me to start a tiny garden on my NYC balcony. Watching plants grow provides a sense of vitality that numbers and KPIs never could, making it one of the best burnout recovery methods.
2. Participating in NYC Workshops: Finding Lost Hobbies and “Me”
After 18 months in NYC, my life had become a repetitive loop of “office-home-office.” I felt a void—not just in my sense of self, but in the lack of a community to share the highs and lows of city life. A friend suggested attending various workshops in the city. It’s an opportunity to discover new talents outside of my career and meet new people. I’ve chosen “vocal lessons” as my first workshop this year. My goal is to rediscover the joy of singing and bring a new rhythm back to my daily life.
3. Simple Morning Dates in NYC: Restoring Relationships
Since my husband and I both work late and have different schedules, our only real quality time was often a quick 9 PM dinner. We decided to change that. Even if it’s just for an hour or two on a Sunday morning, we’ve prioritized small dates. These moments bring much-needed warmth to a dry and hectic NYC daily life.
4–5. Positive Influence and Neighborly Greetings: Reviving Dry Emotions
At the height of my burnout, I couldn’t even appreciate the beauty of the sky. To fix this, I made two promises. First, I will not look away from those in need on the street. I hope my small act of kindness inspires others to do the same when they encounter someone needing help, creating a ripple effect of positive influence. Second, I’ve started greeting my neighbors in the elevator or lobby. I want to be a warm presence for someone ending a hard day. This small connection makes me feel human again.
6. From MD Metrics to Art: Picking Up the Pencil Again
I majored in design, but as a fashion MD, I spend my days analyzing P&Ls and sales data. My artistic side was withering away. Now, on weekends, I take a notebook and pencil outside to sketch my surroundings. It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece. With every stroke, I feel my brain—which was once buried in numbers—becoming rich with creativity again.
7. Awakening Stagnant Language: Morning News Studies
Even after nine years abroad, I felt my English was becoming limited to “corporate speak.” I’ve started a self-development list item to study English daily by listening to news on various topics during my commute. Stepping out of my comfort zone and challenging myself provides a fresh burst of energy.
8. Animal Volunteering: Sharing the Value of Life
I wanted to dedicate time to something larger than myself. I’ve always loved animals and donated to shelters back in Korea, so I decided to start volunteering at an animal rescue center here in NYC. I believe the pure joy of helping these animals will fulfill me more than any performance bonus ever could.
9–10. Improving Fitness and Learning a Third Language
To combat the physical toll of sitting at a desk all day, I’ve started exercising bit by bit. Additionally, I’m learning the basics of the languages spoken in my upcoming travel destinations. Preparing to communicate, even clumsily, with locals brings a unique kind of excitement.
New-Born Project: Start Your Own Journey
I’ve written these 10 items in my journal and keep a photo of them on my phone so I can look at them anytime. I haven’t mastered them all yet, but the deep self-exploration required to create this list was incredibly meaningful. The love from my friends who helped me brainstorm these ideas truly touched my heart.
Now, stress from work or external pressures no longer dictates my future or my mood. I have these 10 solid promises to ground me. Why not choose one or two items and create your own self-development list? As noted in the Harvard Business Review (HBR), the best way to avoid burnout is to reclaim control over your own life.
Will you join me today in the journey of becoming “New-Born”?