ABSTRACT
The locution "work/leisure/obligation balance" describes better the issue of finding a workable balance of activity in everyday life than its two popular counterparts of "work/family balance" and "work/life balance." This chapter explores why this tripartite balance is important in the twenty-first century. It begins with a discussion of lifestyle, proceeding from there to the ideas of optimal leisure lifestyle and the discretionary time commitment. Staying on the institutional level, note that the culture of obligation is found throughout leisure, whether serious, casual, or project-based. The six discussed are presented in no particular order of importance. They are voluntary simplicity; hiring out/ignoring obligations; work reduction; devotee work; retirement; and leisure. Voluntary simplicity enables people to live on a reduced income, commonly achieved by, in some way, decreasing the amount of money they allot to managing their non-work obligations. Retirement, in positive sociology, refers to people intentionally leaving work as their means of livelihood.
