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.

kishani perera | interior designer

I honestly had zero balance for the first 18 years of my career! I worked 18 hour days 5 days a week, and then at least 8-12 hour days on weekends. It was not sustainable! It took a toll on my health and I had basically no life outside of my business. But last year I was hit with Covid pretty badly, and it forced me to stop and re-evaluate, and also because I physically couldn’t work those hours anymore, I developed a balance I’m really grateful for. I take weekends off, and make time for family, friends, and most importantly, myself. What I realized is that I really need a daily mental break from work so that I can come back refreshed and inspired. Read more>>

Kelly Zhong | Artist

Work life balance was always a struggle for me until recent years. Even as a practicing artist, I have a 9-5 job. Although I am fortunate enough to be still working my full-time job in the arts, I always felt like after I came home, I had to get back on the grind again to draw or come up with ideas for new projects. I am also super passionate about everything I do so it can be difficult to stop and relax when there are a million ideas in your head that you want to carry out or you have deadlines coming up that you need to meet. I think this lack of balance led to me burning out and there was a period of time where I felt creatively drained. Read more>>

Dipanshu Sharma | Actor

Initially, going into acting I dedicated all my time to it. I would work on my craft 24/7. I’d either be auditioning or be on set or at acting school or I would be at home and do some research on my characters or I would watch movies to get inspired. I had no free time. But lately, I have come to the realisation that you need to have some time off to recharge. If you constantly give your all to the work, no matter how much you enjoy it and how passionate you are about it, eventually you’ll burn out. It’s still a struggle even to this day. Read more>>

Brian McDonnell | Entrepreneur & Co-Founder of HealMD, LLC

I read a very interesting study about performing deep work tasks for 90 minute intervals and having a max of three of these intervals per day for a specific activity or work. I implemented this strategy and immediately found amazing results. I am able to put my full focus on work during these 90 minute intervals and you definitely feel like you have reached your limit afterwards. I find if I am unable to finish something I need to work on, of course I can work longer during the day to finish it or push it off to another day. Read more>>

Brittney Lee | Makeup Artist + Stylist, Designer, Founder

When I started my own freelance makeup business, I was 18 attending fashion design classes at college. I was pregnant and had my first daughter within that year. I was in grind mode while also figuring out motherhood. I hustled non-stop. I thought that was the secret to success. In all honesty, I burned out by the time my third daughter was born 6 years later. Yes, I conquered my “5 year plan” because that’s what I was taught in high school but my personal relationship was toxic, Read more>>

Julie Pepin | Photographer

When I started out photographing full time I was single and could edit every day/night, sometimes all night just because I could. And I could shoot anytime, anyplace. I would travel a lot, sometimes every weekend in a month. Then I moved in with my now husband and slowly that shifted to a more regular schedule of editing just during the day and in the evening a bit. After years of putting in 12+ hour days, I would finally take the time to have dinner with my partner and hang out with him in the evening and go to bed at a regular time and I felt like I really had it dialed in just right. Read more>>

Devon Moody-Graham | Global Game Changer, International Business Strategist, Author, and Proud Mother

In the world of adulting, raising a family, and walking in purpose there is no true 50/50 and I’m a Libra lol. However, being able to do well in multiple areas of your life is very possible. I’m just starting to intentionally practice this as I’m getting wiser and listening to my body, my heart, and my calling. I used to do very well professionally and in business, but my health and mental wellness were not the best at all. I thought that I couldn’t really have both or that my career would suffer if I wasn’t always burning the midnight oil. I was so wrong. Read more>>

Elizabeth Montes | Founder of Goldn Mau

While juggling my 9-5, Goldn Mau and my personal life; work life balance has been one of my biggest challenges. However, I have made many improvements to be able to manage time more efficiently. Over time I have learned that sometimes less is more and setting manageable goals each day helps me feel more accomplished and less stressed. Prioritizing my health, exercise, having a well balance diet and giving my self breaks has been one of the major changes I’ve made to be able to refresh. Read more>>

Kim Bielak | Associate Marriage & Family Therapist

Over time I’ve come to learn that work-life balance is not something that’s static. It doesn’t always look like strict boundaries around email between 9-5, or the ability to drop the kids off at school and still have meditate for an hour before your get to work. Instead, balance is a dynamic process, which has to evolve alongside continuous change in your own life. It’s full of ebbs and flows, and tiny corrections along the way. Read more>>

Deborah Rosen | Choreographer, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist / Trauma, and Somatics Therapist

Work life balance can be taxing. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to listen to my body. Our bodies do so much for us. From the basics of digestion and release, to the complicated of how our nerves, organs, and overall body functions. In listening to my body, I am reminded, not only to try my best to take care of it, but, also, to assess what is healthy for me. Both mind and body. For example, learning how to navigate between my work, my art, friends, family, and personal time. Read more>>