Recently, I had an interesting conversation about work-life balance and how we can manage to finally achieve this very wanted balance we are all looking for. Is it possible to actually maintain a healthy relationship with our work, or should we just admit that, as adults, our jobs consume mainly the totality of our existence? And then, I started to think a bit deeper about whether “no-work weekends” are actually the solution to the problem, or, at the end of the day, if our work makes us happy, then we should go for it and spend as much time as we want.

Over the last decades, the shift towards a more balanced life has been in the spotlight, and many people strive for more sustainable work-life conditions, aiming to reduce the time spent on their job or at least spend a couple of days off from it.

Experts warn us that working excessive hours and being preoccupied with our job all the time is bad not only for our mental and physical health but also for our productivity and performance at work, and there have been numerous initiatives to protect employees from overworking and possible burnout.

However, despite improvements in the quality of working conditions and the protection of employees regarding their free time, especially during the weekends, and despite the importance of these initiatives, we have almost demonized the “working during the weekend” topic. And no matter how cool it is to have two full days off work, it can be equally dangerous to feel that it's almost illegal if we do.

Is it, though?

The truth is that the societal narrative is pretty clear: weekends are for rest, rejuvenation, and everything but work. We’re bombarded with articles preaching the gospel of unplugging, the importance of setting boundaries, and the dangers of burnout. And while these messages should be taken into consideration, especially in our increasingly “always-on” world, the reality is often a little more complex and a little less black and white.

For many of us, the idea of a completely work-free weekend feels like a distant fantasy. Perhaps you’re juggling a demanding career on top of a bustling family life, and those extra hours on Saturday morning are the only time you can truly focus. Maybe you’re a passionate entrepreneur like me, and your business feels less like a job and more like an extension of yourself, with ideas bubbling up at all hours. Or perhaps, simply put, you enjoy aspects of your work and find a quiet satisfaction in tackling a small task on a Sunday afternoon.

The truth is, whether or not working during the weekend is “bad” isn’t a universal decree etched in stone. It’s a deeply personal question with an answer that depends on individual circumstances, personality traits, and the very nature of our work.

The “On” or “Off” Rule

The first thing to consider is what “working” actually looks like for you on a weekend. Is it a frantic, stress-induced scramble to meet a critical deadline, leaving you feeling depleted and resentful? Or is it a mindful hour spent catching up on emails at your own pace, allowing you to start the week feeling more organized and in control?

There’s a vast spectrum between being chained to your desk for eight hours on a Saturday and simply spending 30 minutes responding to a few urgent messages on a Sunday evening. Perhaps your weekend work involves creative brainstorming in a relaxed setting, something that actually fuels your energy rather than draining it. Maybe it’s dedicating a couple of hours to a passion project that aligns with your professional skills, blurring the lines between work and hobby.

The key lies in understanding the impact of your weekend work. Does it leave you feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and like you’ve sacrificed precious personal time? Or does it provide a sense of accomplishment, reduce weekday stress, or even bring you genuine enjoyment?

The Balancing Act: It’s About Integration, Not Just Separation

The concept of “work-life balance” often evokes an image of two perfectly balanced scales, with work neatly confined to one side and life to the other. However, for many modern women, this rigid separation is simply not realistic or desirable. Instead, perhaps we should be striving for “work-life integration,” a more fluid approach where the different aspects of our lives can coexist and even complement each other.

For instance, if tackling a few small work tasks on a Saturday morning allows you to fully immerse yourself in family time on Sunday without the nagging feeling of unfinished business, then perhaps it’s a worthwhile trade-off. If spending an hour on a passion project on a Sunday afternoon leaves you feeling creatively fulfilled and energized for the week ahead, then who’s to say that’s “bad”?

The danger arises when work consistently bleeds into our weekends in an uncontrolled and demanding way, leaving us feeling constantly on edge and unable to actually switch off. This is where boundaries become absolutely essential.

Setting Your Own Weekend Rules & What Works for You

So, how do you navigate this complex terrain and decide what’s right for your own weekends? Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

• What is the nature of my work? Are there truly urgent tasks that can’t wait until Monday, or is it more about personal pressure and a fear of falling behind?
• What are my energy levels like? Do I genuinely feel rested and capable of tackling a small task on the weekend, or am I already running on empty by Friday evening?
• What are my priorities for the weekend? What activities and connections truly nourish me and help me recharge? Am I consistently sacrificing these for work?
• What is the impact on my mental and physical well-being? Does working on the weekend leave me feeling more stressed, anxious, or physically drained?
• Am I setting healthy boundaries? Am I allowing work demands to constantly intrude on my personal time, or am I proactively protecting my weekends?
• Am I doing it out of necessity or choice? Is weekend work a genuine requirement of my job, or am I driven by internal pressure or external expectations?

Once you’ve reflected on these questions, you can start to create your own set of weekend rules. These might include:

• Designated “no work” zones and times: Perhaps you commit to a completely work-free Sunday, or you decide that after a certain hour on Saturday, your laptop stays closed and you do something fun and relaxing.
• Batching smaller tasks: If you know you’ll feel better starting the week with a clear inbox, dedicate a specific, limited time slot on the weekend to respond to urgent emails rather than letting them linger or to create your weekly to-do list.
• Prioritizing rest and rejuvenation: Ensure your weekends include activities that genuinely help you unwind and recharge, whether it’s spending time in nature, pursuing a hobby, or simply enjoying quiet moments. Something that will reboot your brain.
• Communicating your boundaries: If you need to limit your availability on weekends, make this clear to colleagues and clients and avoid replying to emails and messages, especially if they are not urgent.
• Being mindful of your “why”: If you choose to work on the weekend, be conscious of your motivations. Is it driven by genuine need or a fear of not being productive enough? Is it a way to motivate yourself to progress, or do you just not have the luxury of staying away from your computer?

The Guilt-Free Weekend

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of whether it’s “bad” to work during the weekend. What matters most is that you are making conscious choices that support your overall well-being and allow you to live a fulfilling life, both professionally and personally.

So, the next time you find yourself tempted to peek at your emails on a Saturday morning, take a moment to pause. Ask yourself what truly serves you in that moment. Maybe the answer is to close your laptop and savor that extra cup of coffee. Or maybe it’s to spend a focused hour tackling a task that will bring you peace of mind.

The key is to move away from the rigid notion of the “sacred seven days” and instead embrace a more flexible and compassionate approach to work-life integration. Listen to your body, honor your needs, and create a weekend rhythm that makes you happy.

Because a well-lived life isn’t about never working on a Saturday or not touching work stuff during the weekend; it’s about feeling empowered to choose how you spend your precious time, every single day of the week, even if you feel like spending your weekend on your desk creating an amazing project.

Whatever you do, make sure you enjoy it to the fullest.