A host of factors, developments, and dynamics have made most industries more competitive than ever. As a result so many of us wonder whether there is still such a thing as work-life balance. We reached out to the community to hear perspectives on finding the right balance.

Pete Tognetti | Bar Manager, Tamayo by Chef Richard Sandoval

My work/life balance has always been cyclical. There are periods where I work 40 hours a week and have ample time for leisure and travel, and then there are times where I work seven days a week, sometimes for months at a time. Now is one of those latter times unfortunately. The response to the pandemic has been especially unkind to those of us who choose to work in hospitality, and I am making up for lost time at present. Read more>>

Ashley Renée Johnson | Baker & Pastry Chef

Balancing work and life is a constant practice for me, and something I try to be very mindful about. Early in my career, work won every time. I became part of the all-too-common narrative of the hospitality industry: long and grueling hours, double shifts, skipped meals, no breaks, etc. I worked this way for many years until about March of 2020 when I became one of the thousands of restaurant workers who lost their job due to the pandemic restaurant shutdowns. Read more>>

Jill Levine | Certified professional coach, intuitive guide and energy worker.

Balance looks very different now than it did a few years ago. I have worked hard, putting work above all else, and fallen down more than once in that model. With time, I have learned to fill my cup first. I get good sleep every night, exercise (I am a Les Mills Body Balance instructor and lift weights and get some cardio in when I can), fuel my body with healthy foods, do energy work and meditate nearly every day. This means getting up early, having older kids that are great at getting themselves up and ready for school, and having a partner that is supportive of my morning routine. Read more>>

Laura Diggs | Visual Artist & Part-time Greenhouse Hand

Worrying too much about achieving that perfect balance is something that I think holds so many creative people back from making some of their best work. As I’ve gotten older and more serious about my art practice, I understand more and more that there is no convenient or easy time to work on your practice. If you wait for some sort of heavenly inspiration to strike you to work, you’ll be stuck waiting forever. A real practice requires that you continue to problem solve and push through stuck points even when you don’t feel like it. Read more>>

Vanesa Mir | Founder of Wed Mayhem

Balance is another task item that never gets done. I like to use the phrase happy-medium when it comes to giving attention to work and home-life. Read more>>

Rachel Alber | Artist/Sculptor/Mental Health Therapist

I use to get really stressed about my work, it felt like it was a matter of life a death. That was when I was living in Seattle trying to survive as a young female metal fabricator and artist. I experienced insecurities in all areas of my life; social supports, financial, housing, food, and psychologically. That was a long time ago, and those experiences surviving built the foundation for who I am today. I am now a licensed mental health therapist and sculptor. Read more>>

Makenna Schley | Vice President

My work life balance has changed a lot ever since I got out of college. I have done a lot of playing in my life and am very blessed! Now, I work very hard but still feel like I get to play a lot. Work life balance is easy when you love what you do… work feels more like play when you love what you do. Read more>>