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.

Kendall Bullock Birth Doula & Educator

As a full-time doula and birth educator, I’ve learned that this work isn’t just my job—it’s really a family job. The unpredictability of birth means my schedule impacts my partner, my kids, and even my close friends. Over time, I’ve come to understand balance not as something you achieve and keep, but something you continually work at. Read More>>

Ashley Kidder

I am a huge fan of advocating for work-life balance, whether for myself, my friends, or other photographers I’m mentoring. Post-pandemic, we learned that work will be fine if we step away for a little bit. Work does not make the world go round, and we learned as much when the world itself shut down for months at a time in 2020. It’s not work who will be there for us when we are sad, tired, lonely, or overjoyed, though it can certainly help as a way to pass the time — and of course, a great way to fill our bank accounts. Read More>>

Lauren Tankersley

When I first started my career, balance was about strict boundaries: work hard, play hard, and keep them separate. Then, kids (three of them!) came along, and that model just went out the window. Suddenly, flexibility became the cornerstone. It wasn’t about perfectly allocating 8 hours to work, 8 to family, and 8 to sleep (well, I have never been good about getting to that sleep number). It was about being present where I needed to be, when I needed to be there. And now it is really less about work-life balance and more about work-life integration. Instead of seeing work and family as competing forces, I started to view them as interconnected parts of my life. Here’s how I think about making them work together: Read More>>

Katie Blondin

Work-life balance looked very different before I had kids. Back then, I could say yes to every session—sunrise, sunset, weeknights, weekends—you name it, I was there with my camera. I had the flexibility to hustle constantly, and I loved getting to try every type of shoot and meet all kinds of people. Read More>>

Saraphina Mesmer

Over the past 18 years of teaching Yoga, a lifestyle rooted in well-being has remained a constant thread. It’s inspiring to work with people who are supporting their own and others’ well-being. While that may be a relatively small portion of the population, I deeply appreciate the people in my life from this community—those who bring harmony and balance to one another. Read More>>

Chérie Garcia-Kuper

Work-life balance has looked very different for me over the years. When I first started my business in kitchen, bath, and cabinetry design, I was in full hustle mode—working an average of 18 hours a day, seven days a week. I knew I had to earn every client, prove my value, and build a solid reputation in a very competitive industry. Fast turnaround times and consistent performance were—and still are—essential, especially since about 85% of my clientele are builders, contractors, and investors who rely on me for multiple projects each year. Read More>>

CHRISTY KENNEDY

When I started my acupuncture practice at 32, it was all-in. I was fueled by passion and a deep sense of purpose, but I didn’t have kids yet, so most of my energy went into building the business. I worked long hours, wore every hat, and said yes to everything.

Once I had my kids in 2012 and 2015, everything shifted. Suddenly, I wasn’t just a practitioner—I was a mom, too. That forced me to rethink what “productive” looked like. I became more efficient, better at prioritizing, and more intentional with my time. There were definitely seasons that felt out of balance—especially during growth spurts in the business or big transitions at home—but over time, I got better at setting boundaries and asking for help. Read More>>

Tiera Bates

When I first started my business, I put all of my effort into it, I was in the shop 7 days a week and it really affected time with my family and time for myself.

I really had to learn how to put up boundaries and actually enforce them, so I could take better care of myself and make more time for the things that the most important to me. It took me a couple years, but I finally learned that it was okay to say no sometimes and I wouldn’t lose a lot business because of it. Read More>>