When moving to a new country for work, I focused on creating a personal routine that helped me unwind, like going for walks or picking up a hobby. Also, I would advise meeting up or enrolling in clubs. This makes you committed in set of activities, so are aware of your engagements & will ensure your are effectively managing work life balance as well as you make new friends. Adding time to rest and recharge is equally important hence also ensure to avoid filling up every free moment with activity. I have been outside my country for last 3+ years, I make early weekend morning, I'm connecting with family, this keeps me grounded & calm. Finding a balance between exploration and relaxation is key to ensuring personal time remains sacred.

Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. Communicate these boundaries to your colleagues and supervisors, making sure they know your work hours and when you’re unavailable. Create a consistent routine that balances work with personal activities. Whether it’s a morning workout, evening family time, or designated hobby time, maintaining a structured routine helps reinforce the separation between work and personal life. Limit work-related notifications outside of work hours. You can use tools like “Do Not Disturb” modes, email filters, or even a separate device for personal use to avoid blending work into your personal time.

Embrace the local culture but understand that their customs are very different to western ways of working, life in the middle east can be challenging but very rewarding

I would set clear boundaries between work and personal time by creating a structured schedule, communicating availability to colleagues, and prioritizing activities that help me recharge and maintain balance.

To protect personal time in a new country, set clear work boundaries and stick to routines that provide stability, like exercise or hobbies. Balance social and alone time to recharge without overcommitting. Create a relaxing space at home and use time zone differences, if applicable, to carve out quiet personal moments. Explore the new environment on weekends to grow outside of work. Practice digital detoxes and learn to say no to tasks that intrude on personal time, ensuring a healthy balance and preventing burnout.

Set Boundaries: Clearly communicate your work hours to colleagues to protect your personal time. Schedule Diligently: Prioritize and schedule personal activities using a planner or digital calendar. Explore Locally: Participate in local activities and hobbies to enrich your off-work hours. Maintain Routines: Establish a regular self-care routine that includes exercise, meditation, or hobbies. Unplug Regularly: Dedicate time to disconnect from digital devices to fully enjoy your personal time.

As for any work life balance, it is important to set up clear barriers and abide by them. Personal time will enable you to recharge, re energize, and keep high performance levels at work. Understanding habits in the new country and the organization, and assessing how you can navigate around these habits, in order to ensure you maintain a work life balance, will enable you to collaborate while ensuring you maintain your personal time sacred. While flexibility is paramount, especially at a top level management, it is also paramount to re energize.

Set Clear Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal time. Communicate these boundaries to your colleagues and supervisors so they understand your availability. This might include specifying not to be contacted during certain hours unless it's an emergency. Prioritize Time Management: Use tools like calendars or planners to schedule personal activities just as you would schedule work meetings. This helps you commit to personal time and manage your responsibilities effectively. Leverage Technology Wisely: Make technology work for you by setting up do-not-disturb modes on your devices during personal hours. Apps that block notifications can also help you disconnect from work and fully engage in your personal life.

When moving to a new country for work, it's essential to establish boundaries early on to protect personal time. I set clear work hours, communicate those boundaries with colleagues, and carve out regular time for personal activities and self-care. Staying connected with friends and family, exploring the new environment, and maintaining routines that bring balance help ensure personal time remains a priority despite new professional demands.

To keep my personal time sacred in a new country, I set clear boundaries between work and personal life from the start. I carve out non-negotiable blocks of time for activities that recharge me, like exploring the local culture, pursuing hobbies, or simply unwinding. I also limit work-related communication during off-hours and communicate my boundaries politely but firmly to colleagues. Establishing a routine that honors my well-being helps me adapt, while staying connected to family and friends back home provides emotional balance. Prioritizing self-care in a new environment allows me to stay grounded and fully enjoy the personal space I’ve created.