The Coronavirus has given many us an opportunity to pause and think about life, our purpose, and even the right work life balance. What’s your perspective and has it changed over time?

Chimee Ahaiwe | Contract Creator & HR Professional

When we first started MC Shave Gear, both of us were still working for others full-time. Brady has since retired from his corporate job, but I still work full-time for a Houston law firm. Running a small business, especially when you’re the makers, the schedulers, the drivers, the set-up and tear-down crew, the managers, the salespersons, the accountants, and the ones responsible for marketing, advertising, and wholesale accounts, doesn’t leave a lot of time for anything else. The key is making time for the work life balance. We go non-stop between September and a day or two before Christmas. By the time December 25th rolls around, we’re exhausted and looking forward to a break. January and February are pretty quiet, so we take time off, rebuild our inventory, spend time with family and friends, and sleep in. By Spring, we’re back on the road doing shows, and then we know Summer is going to quiet down again. Our son is a teacher and has the summers off, so we plan family weekends on the river, days at water parks, and long weekends in the Texas Hill Country with picnics and barbeques. Read more>>

Ella Friberg | Fine Artist

I’ve been thinking about this pretty much the entire last year. I think “work life balance” is a the elusive unicorn that people speak of that doesn’t exist, but we continue to convince ourselves that it really must be out there somewhere. I have two young children, a 5 and a 7 year old whose lives were also turned upside down when schools went fully remote in the spring. I became very frustrated when they were home because I couldn’t do what I wanted and needed for my art business. Over the course of last year I began to exchange the word “balance” for “harmony”. Balance to me means that I must seek perfect equilibrium between different entities. With that in mind I would need kids out of my studio so I can have hours of uninterrupted time to create and work, then when I’ve had enough solo time I would have the energy to be with my kids and focus on their needs. In seeking harmony, I allow for flow and movement, this may look like moving my kids desks into my studio so they can have a zoom meeting while I paint, or I can lay out paint for them so they can create with me. Read more>>

Rajan Purcell | Musician, Poet, and Stay at Home Dad

like so many things, both age and circumstance have altered the details of my work life balance. When I was younger, I worked on demand, days at a time, sleep be damned, health be damned. Thankfully over time I have continued my creative work, while taking better care of my physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. This is a part of growing as a person, and finding one’s place in the world, even if the pace stays high or escalates. In my case, physical injuries played a part of my slowing down, as well as switching from music performance to writing poetry. Also, I have two children now, and nothing will change your world in as many ways as having children. I think for the better, and for the “fun-ner”. However, I do think there is an aspect to balance which is overlooked by most. We tend to think of balance as some kind of perfect state, a fixed place, in which there are proportional, if not equal, amounts of needs, wants, and the like. I have never thought this way, or experienced life this way. Read more>>

Amanda Corral | Realto/ Entrepreneur

I’ve been a business owner for 8 years now and it has definitely taken some time to learn how to approach and maintain a good work and personal balance. In the beginning I sacrificed much like anybody starting a new career or business and it left me with very little time and energy for anything outside of it. I don’t regret it at all because I poured myself into my career and it helped me gain a lot of experience and momentum early on. However, it’s easy to burn out if you don’t learn quickly when to disconnect. Now, as a much more seasoned professional, I know that there has to be a cut off time at the end of the day so that I can decompress and focus on what really matter to me which is my family. Past a certain time, I may answer a quick text or email if I feel it can’t wait til the following morning. It’s so important to create a harmonious balance with the two worlds. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Read more>>

Monica and Brady | Owners & Makers

When we first started MC Shave Gear, both of us were still working for others full-time. Brady has since retired from his corporate job, but I still work full-time for a Houston law firm. Running a small business, especially when you’re the makers, the schedulers, the drivers, the set-up and tear-down crew, the managers, the salespersons, the accountants, and the ones responsible for marketing, advertising, and wholesale accounts, doesn’t leave a lot of time for anything else. The key is making time for the work life balance. We go non-stop between September and a day or two before Christmas. By the time December 25th rolls around, we’re exhausted and looking forward to a break. January and February are pretty quiet, so we take time off, rebuild our inventory, spend time with family and friends, and sleep in. By Spring, we’re back on the road doing shows, and then we know Summer is going to quiet down again. Our son is a teacher and has the summers off, so we plan family weekends on the river, days at water parks, and long weekends in the Texas Hill Country with picnics and barbeques. Read more>>

Brandi Dalhouse | Photographer

So before kids I worked, worked, worked. I would take on too many sessions and there was no real work/life balance. Now that I have three littles I had to reevaluate things. My main focus are my kids and thankfully I have a great spouse that helps me with this. I take less clients on so I can focus on family and two this also gives me more time to focus on my clients. I have more flexibility with clients and I have found clients really appreciate that. My typical day consists morning checking emails and social media. Then mommy duties, dude to the pandemic I’m also homeschooling. So after lunch we do school. I only photograph in the early evening hours so if I have a client that evening my husband takes over. If there is editing to do that is done in the evening. All calls and emails are made in the evenings as well. Sometimes it gets a bit crazy but I feel I have a good balance. Read more>>

Rosario Sa | Creator of Pink to Tango Billingual Lifestyle Blog

It’s been quite a challenge to keep a healthy work like balance during this past year. Working both as a full time Marketing professional and trying to achieve success as an small business owner it’s overwhelming at times. The pandemic changed the amount of time I was able to designate to my own business. I know I love a good challenge! I thrive when things get a little complicated. It wakes up that my creative mindset. Read more>>

Shadana Miranda | Transformational Coach and Women’s Empowerment Speaker

My work-life balance has gotten better over the past year. During the pandemic, I was able to work from home which allowed me to slow down and get clarity over my life. My lifestyle was so busy that I was never home. I didn’t realize how busy I was until I was forced to stay home. I live a more holistic life now. I spend about 60 minutes each morning with meditation and quiet time. I’m taking mental health more seriously this year. I’m not always on the go unless I need to be and I cook and eat most of my meals at home. Read more>>