Our community is filled with hard-working, high achieving entrepreneurs and creatives and so work-life balance is a complicated, but highly relevant topic. We’ve shared some responses from the community about work life balance and how their views have evolved over time below.

Erica Campbell | Registered Nurse and Lactation Consultant

I think that the defining a work/life balance is tricky… especially now. I’m fortunate to have a majority of my career based outside of the home but with Covid, I’ve started to figure out ways to utilize my skills in home as well. Being a mother of two, work/life balance has a special meaning. Before kids, I had a perfect “balance” because I didn’t have any occasions where work and life had to overlap. Now, it happens quite often. I recently read a quote that was ultimately sending well wishes to all of the mothers that have their ambition and parent responsibilities overlap and I really resonated with that. I’m 5 years into motherhood and every year, I had to pivot and re-learn what balance means for our family. Some days it means that I get little work done but a lot of cuddling and playing. Other days it means that the kids get to enjoy movies and popcorn for dinner and I’m busting my butt to get blog post written and charts completed. Right now, there’s no real balance and that’s okay for me. Read more>>

Paige Prince | Freelance Makeup Artist

Working as a full time high school History teacher and a freelance makeup artist is challenging. I find planning or writing out plans to be the most beneficial thing I’ve done to keep a work life balance. Apps like Square, iCal, and Outlook have been so very important and help me make sure I keep up with my busy schedule. Read more>>

Susanne Khatib | Tech Marketer | YouTuber | Instagrammer

Thankfully, my work/life balance has greatly improved over time. Straight out of college, my personal life was nonexistent. I was in a very intense role at a start-up where we all worked crazy hours and my imposter syndrome was SO REAL. On top of it all, I had a 2+ hour commute each way to work. Needless to say, I felt like a zombie all. the. time. I was actually laid off from that job, but it was a blessing in disguise. In my next role, I experienced a much healthier work/life balance and I learned I could achieve success without sacrificing my own well-being. Nowadays, I am intentional about working with employers that share this mindset. With that said, when my role went fully remote due to COVID-19, my whole concept of balance was thrown for a loop. My dining room table became my new desk, and the separation between home and office was non-existent. I’ve had to learn to set my own boundaries and to give myself grace as well. Some days (especially during a pandemic) I am completely drained and can’t produce my best work. Read more>>

Rich Russell | Songwriter and Band Leader of The Lonesome Heroes

I have been a touring songwriter and bandleader for almost 15 years now. When I first started the idea of being a full time musician and making all my money from music was so exciting. I spent many years on the road playing almost every night, barely making enough money to survive, but “living the dream” Eventually I realized that my passion was now my job. I spent most days on the computer booking shows and nights in bars. Playing shows to make money, or for the hope that it would lead to something better, but really my life balance was off. I wasn’t writing enough or seeing my friends. After a really fun, but financially draining tour of Australia I decided to get a side job driving ride share to pay off my debt. I was able to stay home more and write and see my friends again. I realized that I was missing a big part of my life at home chasing the dream everywhere else, but mostly slowly going into debt. My band mate Dave always had a great saying: “make your vocation your vacation.” I realized that the endless tour was feeling less like a vacation and more like a disaster. Read more>>

Meredith Speer | Founder of Foxed

Recently, I gave birth to my second daughter and all of the well-intentioned balance I had created flew out the window. Being a full-time mom to littles and working part-time from home means that daily balance is an unobtainable goal. Instead, I have reframed my thinking instead toward wholeness. There will be seasons that are extremely busy with work which means less family time, less play time, less of everything. There will also be seasons that are full life weeks which means less email, less sneaking in a few more minutes of work. My goal is that when I look at a longer period of time- whether it be the month or the year- I can see an overall wholeness. Did I live life well? Did I work well? If the answer to both of those is yes, I am much less concerned about the daily balancing act that causes stress. Daily balance in my current life stage feels like pursuing perfection which frankly isn’t an option. Choosing to play the long-game of balance and wholeness feels not only doable but empowering. Changing my thinking has allowed me to be more fully present in the moment. Read more>>

Symone Daniels | Entertainment News Reporter

For me, my work-life balance has changed a lot. In May of 2020, I found out that I was pregnant which changed everything. I am used to being in the field or on the scene coving stories but now I am a mom of two, idential twin boys one at home and one in the NICU. I stopped working when my morning sickness became so bad that I was going to the ER every week. When I was 14 weeks pregnant I was admitted to the hospital for a week due to severe dehydration because I could not hold down solid foods or liquid. At 16 weeks pregnant one of my twins, Twin B was diagnosed with selective growth restriction which means that he wasn’t able to get the proper nutrition he needed in order to be a fully developed baby. During that time I would see my doctor and a specialist weekly to monitor the pregnancy because they did not think Twin B would make it. At 26 weeks I was put on bed rest in hopes I would at least make it to 28 weeks and by the grace of God, I made it to 28 + 1. It is very difficult to balance my time between home and the hospital. Read more>>

Ashley Boriack | Yoga Instructor & Accountant

To maintain a work life balance I used to have rules for myself. For example, every yoga class I teach, I must take a class… If I want to be involved in something, I must give it my all for the first couple months to establish myself. When COVID ripped me from my routine I sat around stunned for a couple months. Then, in the stillness and quietness, something interesting began happening. I started hearing my cravings and intuitions. This softening toward myself was the opposite of my decisive action plan, which left me depleted energy & cut off from what I really needed. I listened to the me that needs to work through some old patterns, and it’s helping me become more resilient. I listened to the me that needed to do fun things for no reason, and it’s brought a relaxed smile to my face where there used to be an intense scowl. I listened to the me that craved creativity, and it’s lead me to connect with my sense of purpose and passion. I listened to the me that need the rest and quiet, and from there I’ve been propelled into deep personal growth. Read more>>

Robert Macmillan | Artist

In the past I had a lot more free time – however, I often found myself overdoing it. Working on your own you can often become your own worst enemy either by being too critical or not knowing when to stand back and take a break. Now that I am married with three children I am more disciplined with the time that I have. I try to get into my studio for about 7.30am as I’ve always worked well first thing in the morning. I don’t find its affected my output, if anything having a family has helped me to switch off. I think you have to find something outside of your profession otherwise it can consume you. As much as I love to paint I’ve learnt that it isn’t everything…although I have to keep that in check! For me getting outside is as important as being in my studio not just for the good of my mental health but it feeds my work greatly. Read more>>