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.

Michelle Castor | LMT, Community Herbalist & Wellness Promotora

Balance is such an interesting concept to me. It shows up in so many parts of our lives – in many ways, we are in constant states of finding balance. When I first started my business, I was certain there were more linear equations to creating balance. Like, if I just do x and y at z time, then I will have achieved work/life balance and live happily ever after. But that’s not really the person I am nor the kind of work I’m engaged in. And, as I reflect more on balance, is not really how work or life plays out either. Instead, I see balance as more of this kind of constant re-calibration to see what works at a given moment. There is no “arriving” or achieving with balance; rather, it plays out more like a practice. As any business owner will tell you, there is always *something* you could be doing to be working on your business. Read more>>

Taylor Semien | Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner & Founder

The work life balance has always been difficult for me, especially now that I have a two year old and a new baby at home. Prior to having kids, I worked constantly and had no balance because I was on the grind to building my business. I struggled with knowing when to stop working and how to set boundaries with work. After I had my son, I started to understand how important the balance was but still struggled with knowing when to stop and enjoy what I have built. With the second baby comes even more knowledge and growth and I have embraced that I don’t have to work constantly to feel validated in my industry, I can be a mom, a wife, and a business owner and be the best I can be. My goal is everyday to be the best I can at all of my roles and I do that by having balance. Read more>>

Falyn DeForest | Photographer & Hairstylist

Work life balance is one the most important aspects in my every day life. Being a mom is my number one priority, next to my business. I want to be able to spend as much time with my family as I can! I like that I can schedule my business life around my personal life. It’s good to have a healthy balance and not over do it. Read more>>

Melissa Roth | Seamstress & Designer

Work life balance is probably one of the most challenging parts of working for myself. I am a single mom, with 2 kids in grade school, so this balance changes every week, especially during a pandemic. As challenging as it is at times, I expect this balance to change. It can not be the same every week, it is constantly shifting. Read more>>

Lindsey Fernandez | Intuitive Healer and Conscious Aromatherapy Consultant & Educator

When the pandemic hit this year, I think it gave many of us a chance to reassess what work-life balance actually looks like. As a massage therapist during the lock down, I was suddenly deprived of much of my income, but I also had this fantastic realization of how much I was trying to fit in to one day or one work week. The pace I had been forcing myself to maintain was not sustainable. I have since let go of my massage practice (after 20 years!) and have transitioned to only doing online Intuitive Healing Sessions and teaching about essential oils (which I had already begun to transition to an online platform). My massage practice had been out of my home office, and though I do miss the hands on work with my beloved clients, it feels freeing to have my home be my home and not my office too! It turns out, the slow down from forced lockdown was exactly what I needed to get some perspective on how I spend my days. I feel more protective of my time with my family (and my alone time) now. Read more>>