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.

Miko Underwood | Chief Creator/Founder of OAK & ACORN ~ Only for the Rebelles

As a creative, I’ve learned work-life balance is tantamount to overall success. Creativity has a rhythm and you have to take time to learn yours. Work-life balance doesn’t come from working harder to produce more, but from creating a structure for creativity to thrive. I had a habit of working until the wee hours of the morning burning my candle at both ends to hit my design deadlines. My excuse was, it was much quieter, the world around me was asleep and I could work … uninterrupted in the quiet hour. In the end it wasn’t sustainable for my health. Read more>>

Carla Suhr | UCLA Professor, Community-Engaged Scholar, Poetry Enthusiast

To me, balance is the cornerstone of sustainability in all environments. Without it, we cannot foster and maintain a thriving life – both individually and collectively. The lack of balance either resets our progress or slows down the realization of our full potential. Of course, achieving balance in every area of life is not always easy which is why I intentionally expose myself to activities and routines that help cultivate it. My climbing and yoga practices, for example, enhance my body’s balance awareness and allow me to approach tasks with greater focus and intention. Read more>>

Jiyeon Julie Lee | Composer & Orchestrator

Just like others in LA, I was and am a hard worker. Since I had a home studio in my room, I worked from the moment I opened my eyes till I closed them. I got anxious very easily if not working, thus, I was sitting at my desk even though I didn’t have any project which was quite common for a recently graduated young composer. In the end, my body was yelling at me not to do so. I tried to find a balance between my work and my life. Read more>>

Johanna Smith | Writer | Speaker | Thought Leader | Career & Life Coach

The notion of balance is why I created Harmonious Balance. Over the years I have wondered why people think balance is not achievable even when their professional and personal lives are actually doing well. I’ve concluded that people are stuck on the idea of balance being equal time, energy, and effort across the board. They view balance as an outcome. I’ve come to view balance as stability and that balance is the input while harmony is the output. We bring stability to what can feel like chaotic lives. We have to be intentional about bringing physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual balance in our day-to-day lives. Read more>>

Martha Lorentsen | Interior Designer

I spent many years working as a model, traveling all over the world, but at one point, I decided to pursue a career as an interior designer. This shift not only allowed me to follow my passion for design but also gave me the opportunity to stay closer to home once I became a mom. As a single mom, it’s even more important to find the right balance. My job as a senior interior designer can be very demanding, especially working with high-end clients, but it’s essential to be a great role model for my daughter Sofia and balance family life with my career. Read more>>

Faith Freeman | Founder, Primal Elements

Work life balance was a difficult goal to achieve while we were building the business. However, with maturing in age, this was an important lesson I learned and I think it came with growing older. Once I became a grandparent I learned that there are other aspects of my life that are important; such as spending as much time with the grandchildren as possible before they think it was not cool to hang with grandma. Read more>>

Chani Jindal | Model, Actress, and Content Creator

I honestly struggle with work-life balance sometimes. In the present day hustle culture, it gets tricky to prioritize peace, quiet, and recovery over what could feel like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. However, over time I’ve learned that saying NO is a medicine that we all need to start taking. I’m learning to listen to my mind and body and say yes only to things that truly align with my goals and my energy. Read more>>

Marina Lang | Actress / Producer / Entrepreneur

Work life balance is extremely challenging if you work on your own business or are a creative. The lines can very easily become blurred. You think you’re working several hours one week, then it suddenly ends up becoming the whole month, year and time just flies. You miss out on doing things which are good for your own mental health, happiness and well being. I used to be very intense in the sense I’d devote every hour of my day to work and work as much as I humanly could. Read more>>

Bonnie Muler | Owner of Body By Bonnie, body sculpting, slimming and cellulite removal

Having a good work life balance is tricky, and something that continues to be a bit of a struggle, but it’s so important. One of the reasons why I decided to start my own business was so that I could create my own hours. Fortunately, I got busy quickly with lots of clients, but that meant not having a lot of time for myself. I really tried to see clients while my kids were at school, but in order to be successful I had to be flexible with my schedule. Read more>>

Yonatan Daniel | Music Artist

I went from being someone that had a lot of free time, to now having to sacrifice seeing friends and family due to work needing to be done. It has been a very drastic change for me due to how my previous lifestyle was, but over time i’ve learned that it IS possible to do both with enough planning and communication. Read more>>

Fi Campbell | Artist and Landscape Designer

Over time, my work-life balance has become much more grounded and stable. Landscape design now flows naturally into my everyday rhythms, allowing me to approach it in a more holistic way. This shift has helped me stay more centered and connected to my creative process, making the work feel less like a task and more like a natural extension of my life. This balance has also allowed me to be more present in my everyday life. I’m no longer feeling as rushed and harried, which lets me fully engage with the people and activities that matter most. It’s brought a sense of calm and clarity that enhances both my personal well-being and my work. Read more>>