Hi there, it’s Jill!

Today’s post is about something many of us quietly struggle with: how to truly disconnect from work when we’re off the clock.

There was a time in my life when I was constantly thinking about work — project timelines, stakeholder meetings, hands-on coding tasks (I was a Data Scientist then)… Even when I wasn’t sitting in front of my laptop, my mind was still chained to my to-do list.

If that resonates with you, you’re not alone. And I want to share a few things that helped me reclaim my evenings, reset mentally, and show up more productively at work.

1. Maximize Efficiency at Work

Okay, hear me out.
This is not a “you can’t disconnect because you’re not efficient enough” lecture.

Rather, it’s a gentle reminder that the more you accomplish during the day, the less mental clutter you carry into your personal time.

Here are a few simple techniques I’ve used to improve efficiency without burning out:

• Block focused time on your calendar for deep work (especially key deliverables)

• Set daily priorities and document quick updates
  E.g.: “Followed up with Mike on data issue, will cross-check with Amy later.”
  This is especially useful when juggling multiple projects or stakeholders.

• Ask quick questions early in the day — then use the rest of the day for follow-up. This reduces lag time compared to messaging people late in the day.

• Go into the office if you can — a quick swing by someone’s desk often saves hours of Slack-tag-ping-chase.

• Bonus tip (advanced): multitask selectively
  I once saw an AVP actively contribute in a meeting while simultaneously sending detailed follow-up emails. It was like he had two brains — a skill worth admiring, if not adopting.

The point isn’t to cram your day full. It’s to be intentional about how you use your time — so you can end the workday with a sense of clarity and closure.

That said, sometimes no matter how efficient we are, the to-do list never really ends. That’s when we need to lean on something else: communication.

2. Communicate Clearly and Set Boundaries Early

Sometimes we can’t disconnect because we’ve unintentionally overcommitted. We said yes to a fast-turnaround project and realized too late that it might require weekend work to meet the deadline.

Here’s what I’ve learned:
What can’t be solved with technical skills often needs to be solved with communication skills.

Let’s say you're collaborating with Team A to deliver results to Team B. Your portion depends on Team A’s input. Try this:

Set up a quick meeting with both teams. Share the roadmap:

“Team A needs 3 days, I’ll need 1.5 days after that. Assuming no technical issues or competing priorities, I can deliver by Friday afternoon. If anything changes, I’ll keep both teams updated so we can adjust accordingly.”

When we take time to set realistic expectations early, we reduce the pressure to scramble later.

And that means fewer late-night “I forgot to reply to…” thoughts when you’re trying to rest.

3. Build a Life Outside of Work

Once we’ve maximized efficiency and clarified expectations, the final step is to fill our non-working hours with something that fuels us — mentally, creatively, or physically.

Some people go to the gym to calm their mind. Others lose themselves in a dance class, where the movement and music pull their attention away from everything else.

For me, that outlet has been yoga and drawing.

• 🧘‍♀️ I pursued my yoga teacher certification and loved the structure of learning something in-depth. Yoga helps me feel focused, grounded, and strong — especially when you move into advanced postures.

• 🎨 I also rediscovered my childhood love of drawing. Whether it’s portraits, watercolor, or oil pastels, each medium brings its own joy — and lets my creativity run free.

Hobbies like these don’t just fill time — they expand our identity beyond work, help us process stress, and become something we carry for life.

Final Thoughts

Disconnecting from work isn't just about closing your laptop — it's about clearing mental space so you can actually rest.

That process starts with using your time well, setting clear boundaries, and giving your mind something nourishing to return to.

Even if some days, you’ll still think about work after hours. But over time, you’ll build a rhythm that makes room for rest, reflection, and even joy.

Cheers,

— Jill

Founder of Anchor Growth Newsletter

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