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.

Callie fuller | E-RYT 500h Yoga Instructor, Reiki Practitioner, Retreat Leader, Skincare Brand Manager

Pre-Covid I was commuting to an agency job in Boulder and sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day, getting a couple hours of work done each day. I now balance a lot more jobs: I teach at two yoga studios, I launched a reiki business this year, I host quarterly women’s retreats, and I help manage a skincare brand. So it sounds like (and honestly feels like) a lot more, but the difference is that I’ve gotten to completely choose my schedule. I get to go skiing and hiking in the middle of the week, I get to work during times of the day that work for me, I don’t have to worry about being off Slack for more than an hours in the middle o the day. Read more>>

Kate Ivy | Wedding photographer

As someone that takes pride in what they do and also loves to work as a photographer- finding that work/life balance can be challenging. Our country is obsessed with hustle culture- working 40 plus hour weeks and I definitely feel the pressure. When you own your own business there is ALWAYS something to do or work on. Blogging, SEO, social media, planning a creative shoot…and of course editing and emailing clients. I love that I get to create my own schedule because – my mornings are mostly focused on having coffee, tending to the garden and playing with our puppy. Around 10am is when I am able to really dive into to emails, phone calls and be in work mode. I have noticed – for me, it helps if I set a timer even for 30 minute increments. Work for 30 minutes, then take the dog for a walk or have a snack. I love to break up my day with a yoga class or work from a coffee shop with a friend. Read more>>

Marcia Navarro | Entrepeneur

The balance between my personal life and work has change 180 degrees. Before I was working around someone else’s schedule, my 8 hours daily and 2 days off a week ( usually the same ones). Now, I make my schedule around my own time, even though it is still organized it is irregular and its always changing according to clients or markets that I work on. But I am still in charge of my own time and that is the best, I can work as early as I want or as late as I want. To respond to the next question, I think that having a balance between work and life is super important to avoid stress. Maybe some people wouldn’t agree with me, but I don’t believe in the mindset to work all the time nonstop until you reach your goals, or the “ you are gonna find free time after”. I believe in working hard, but wise in a way that you can also live. Living everyday is a blessing that can be gone in a blink of an eye. So why would I waste time by only focusing on working when I can organize my time to do more than that. Goals will be reached if you keep working towards it. Read more>>

Linda Zatloukal | Songwriter

I used to think of my balance as having these two very different aspects of my life: my career/work, and the fun hobbies, friends, et-cetera. Today I would say it’s all one. I have completely submerged myself in the world of Songwriting and music and honestly wouldn’t have it any other way. I think the music industry is such a unique community in this sense, when you’re passionate about it, your whole world becomes your career. Not to say all I do is work, but all of my friends work in the same industry, it’s also how I like to spend my “free time”. I thought it would be overwhelming at first, instead it has allowed me to stay focused, stay determined. It has allowed me to live in my little songwriting bubble and I absolutely love that! I would say I think of my work/life balance differently in the sense that I take time to rest and relax when I need to, but don’t separate my work and that environment from other parts of my life. Read more>>

Chelsea McIntosh | Music Artist, Founder of The Muse Collectives, and Event Coordinator

While it is overwhelming being both a business owner and a full-time event coordinator, I’ve learned to let go of things that are out of my control and only spend time and energy on things that are in my control. I think that this has helped me achieve a better work life balance because I’m not stressing over the little things anymore and instead, I spend my spare time doing activities that I enjoy. I have also learned how to enjoy the process, so it rarely feels like I’m “working,” but instead I’m reminding myself that my work is rewarding and it makes everything so much more enjoyable. Read more>>