By far the most common conversation we have with the folks we interview is about work-life balance. Starting a business or pursuing a creative career makes finding work life balance really tough because there is no clear start and end to one’s work day. We’ve shared some of our conversations on the topic below.

Crystal Pace | Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Registered Yoga Teacher, and Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach.

Work life balance is something I am extremely passionate about; largely due to my lack of it early on in my career. When I first became a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), I said “yes” to any and all opportunities at the sacrifice of my own health and well-being. I was working a full time job while running my own business, and quite literally burning the candle at both ends. Over the past seven years, I have had to learn how to set boundaries to ensure I have more work life balance. It can be hard saying “no” at times, however, it is essential to ensure that I am taking care of myself to best show up for my clients healing. Read more>>

Christine Martell | Fiber Artist and Educator

As an artist, work life balance has always been a fuzzy concept. Some areas are clearly work but the artmaking itself is life giving and joyous. The challenge has been that the parts of running a business that I am not good at can consume most of the time if I am not careful. Then work becomes doing things I dislike and struggle with. I have learned to pay others to do many of these things when I can so I still have time to create. Read more>>

Mandy McGowan | Entrepreneur Finance Coach

I think work-life balance is not realistic, it is more of a teeter-totter I feel. There will always be one area that pulls more heavily on your attention at one time or another. I, unfortunately, used to focus much more on business with the mindset that “if I can just get to a certain point, then it won’t be as time-consuming”. That never worked because there was always another ‘certain point’ to get to with my business. Now I focus more on getting my business time in around life time. When building out my calendar, I put my personal and family stuff on first and then add the business stuff around that. Read more>>

J. Marlene Escajeda | Dog Groomer

Over the years I realized that what matters the most to you it’s what you should put first. For me it was my health and my family. I used to work 6 days a week neglecting my personal life, I missed experiences with my family and now I can’t take that time back. You create you balance by figuring out your priorities and knowing your worth. Read more>>

Tony El | Acid Techno Player & Owner of Stric-9 Productions

I think that comes with age. When I was younger with no kids, I could stay up all night doing whatever and still get up for work the next day on time. When the kids came, I had to cut back and get my priorities straight. School, sports, meetings and travelling. That took a toll until you get adjusted which took me a couple of years. Now that my kids are all grown and out of the house, I can do my 6-3 at work and have the rest of the afternoon and weekends off to actually get out of the house or work on music. Usually both. I believe it all balances out over time if you do it the correct way. Read more>>

Brooke Butler | Mental Health Therapist

Work life balance is a MAJOR topic I discuss with my clients. So much anxiety, burnout, and dissatisfaction in life can be tied back to a lack of boundaries between your work life and your personal life. When I was in my residency as a therapist, I was also taking part time classes and working full time. The toll this took on me was enormous and I saw the way it impacted my abilities to be fully present for my clients. My personal life took a back seat and all of my focus was on just getting through it. I promised myself that once I got through that, I would make it a priority to have a work life balance that works for me. Read more>>