Finding Balance: Work and Life for The Trades in BC
Nimble Counselling’s Olivia Robillard talks us through the challenges of work–life balance in the trades and how counselling for tradespeople can help.
With experience working alongside people in the trades, Olivia Robillard understands the challenges that come with the job. Book a free consultation to see if she’s the right fit for you.
If you’re working in the trades in British Columbia, you know better than anyone that the work doesn’t stop when the clock says it should. Early mornings, long shifts, tight deadlines, and jobs that take you far from home are all part of the trade. The pride of building, fixing, and providing for your family runs deep — but the cost can be high, especially when work begins to outweigh everything else.
As a counsellor, I’ve worked with many hardworking men and women who put so much of themselves into their jobs. What I often hear is that while work feels steady and reliable, life outside of work can sometimes feel harder to manage. When days run long or weeks are spent out of town, it’s easy to feel disconnected, drained, or like there’s nothing left in the tank for the people and activities that matter most.
The Reality of Long Days and Out-of-Town Work
Trades work is demanding. Some days start before the sun rises and don’t end until well into the evening. Other times, you’re out of town, living in camps or hotels, missing out on milestones at home. While this kind of work is often necessary, it takes a toll:
On your body: Sore muscles, injuries, and exhaustion with little recovery time.
On your routines: Irregular meals, poor sleep, and less time to exercise or unwind.
On your relationships: Distance and fatigue can strain your connection with loved ones.
On your mind: Stress, guilt, or irritability can creep in when balance feels impossible.
It’s no surprise, then, that almost half of tradespeople say they struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance (workever.com)
The Weight of Providing
I often hear from tradespeople that while they take tremendous pride in providing for their families, they also feel guilty that their loved ones sometimes get the “leftovers” of their time and energy. This sense of duty to provide can become a heavy weight. There’s honor in being the one your family relies on—building homes, fixing problems, putting food on the table. But that same provider role can carry an unspoken rule that you shouldn’t ask for anything in return. It might make you feel like you have to tough it out and keep any struggles to yourself because providing is “just what you do.”
In trades culture, pride and responsibility run deep. There’s often pressure to be tough and “just deal with it,” which can leave you feeling like you have no voice when work gets overwhelming. Ideas of duty and even traditional masculinity can get tied up in this mindset, making it harder to admit when you’re struggling. Over time, too many tradespeople end up feeling voiceless, burnt out, or defeated by the very work that once gave them pride.
Remember What You’re Working For
It’s easy to fall into a pattern where you’re working so much that you forget why you’re doing it. Sometimes the act of working becomes the whole purpose of life, and you get stuck in a cycle where the reward for working hard is just more work. Sure, there’s pride in a job well done and the paycheck that comes with it. But if it feels like you’re only ever working just to work, you may find yourself asking “What is this all for?” – and coming up empty.
Think about the reasons you started in the first place. If you’re working to support your family but can’t ever spend time with them, something is out of balance. If you’re pushing yourself to secure a future but eroding its foundations by running yourself into the ground now, that’s out of balance too. Hell, if you picked up all that overtime to buy a new sled and you’re too exhausted to ever take it out for a rip, then what’s the point? When work stops serving its purpose in your life, it’s a clear sign that something needs to change. That’s why finding some balance matters so much.
Find your fit. Use our Match with a Therapist tool to connect with the right counsellor for your needs.
Why Balance Matters
Work–life balance doesn’t mean splitting your time evenly—it means finding a rhythm that leaves space for both providing and living. Balance matters because:
Being well-rested makes you safer and sharper on the job.
Making space for family strengthens relationships that last far beyond any project.
Recovery gives your body what it needs to keep going for years to come.
Joy and connection help buffer against stress, burnout, and loneliness.
It’s not about doing less—it’s about protecting your energy so that both your work and your life feel more sustainable in the long run.
Read more about balance in life in our blog “You can do anything, but you can't do everything”
Practical Tips for Tradespeople
How can you start making things more sustainable? Here are a few practical tips that many tradespeople in BC have found helpful:
Protect Your Recovery: Your body is your most important tool. After a long day, it needs real rest. Aim for consistent sleep, drink plenty of water, and fuel yourself with good food when you can. Even a few minutes of stretching or deep breathing before bed can help you reset for the next day.
Make the Most of Home Time: If you work away from home, weekends or days off can feel rushed. Focus on quality, not quantity. Sit down for breakfast together, take a short walk with your partner, or read your kids a bedtime story. Those small moments matter more than trying to squeeze in everything all at once.
Stay Connected When You’re Away: Being out of town doesn’t have to mean being out of touch. A quick phone call, a video chat, or even sending a photo from the job site helps bridge the gap. Regular check-ins show the people you love that you’re thinking of them, even if you’re not physically there.
Learn to Say “No” Sometimes: Extra shifts and overtime can be tempting—but remember, every yes to work is a no to something else. Saying no when you need to rest isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s what keeps you reliable in the long run. It also lets you show up for the people you’re working for when it really counts.
Find Space for Joy: Days off can easily fill up with chores and errands. Try to protect a little time for something you truly enjoy—whether that’s fishing, tinkering on a project in the garage, or just kicking back and relaxing. Joy is not wasted time; it’s what recharges you. You’ve earned a bit of enjoyment from all that hard work.
Don’t Ignore Mental Health: The trades culture often rewards toughness, but being tough doesn’t mean bottling everything up. The truth is, feeling stressed or down isn’t a personal failing, and you’re not alone—about four out of five tradespeople have experienced mental health challenges because of their job(tester.co.uk). Constant low mood or irritability is a sign that your mind needs care, just like your body does. Talking with someone—whether a trusted friend or a counsellor—can take some of that weight off your shoulders and help you feel less alone.
How BC Counselling for Tradespeople Can Help
In my experience providing counselling for tradespeople, I’ve seen that counselling isn’t about telling you how to live your life—it’s about working with you to figure out a balance that actually fits your reality. Think of it as another tool in your kit for when things get tough. Together, we can:
Explore what matters most to you outside of work (so those priorities don’t get lost in the shuffle).
Build strategies for managing stress, fatigue, and guilt on and off the job.
Strengthen communication with your family, especially during those long stretches apart, so everyone feels more connected.
Develop healthier routines, even if your schedule is all over the place.
In practice, counselling often involves small, practical changes that make a big difference. Maybe we establish a routine to help you switch out of “work mode” when you get home, so you’re not snapping at your kids after a 12-hour shift. Or if being away for weeks at a time is straining your relationship, we might come up with new ways for you and your partner to stay close even when you’re on the road. It’s all about creating space for both the hardworking tradesperson on the job and the person you are outside of it. And if you’re working away from home, support is still within reach. Online counselling makes it possible to connect no matter where the job takes you—whether you’re in camp, on the road, or back home between shifts.
A Final Word
The trades are the backbone of BC’s growth. Your work keeps homes built, roads paved, and families supported. But you’re more than your work — and your well-being matters just as much as any project you finish.
If you’ve been feeling worn down, disconnected, or stuck in an endless cycle of work and recovery, you’re not alone. Even small steps toward better balance can make a big difference over time. And if you’d like a safe place to talk it through, I offer BC counselling for tradespeople and would be glad to connect with you.
Your work matters — but so does your life outside of it.
Olivia Robillard
Want to know more about Olivia, the author of this blog? Check out her bio.
Resources
The Tailgate Toolkit – Mental health and harm reduction resources for BC construction and trades workers.
HeadsUpGuys – A resource with tips and support for men’s mental health (including those in trades).
