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.

Alicia Lebron-Perez | Visual Artist & Author

Over time the balance has changed so much. Earlier in my art career I was a single young woman who had much time to balance between being creative and working full time. Once I got married and became a mother of 2 I had the opportunity to be a stay at home mom, it was anything but balanced. Between being a mother and taking care of my home I felt I had to lay to rest my purpose as an artist in order to be the best mother, suppressing a part of my God given identity. It wasn’t until I prayed about this very topic of balance and sought wisdom that I became aware that being a great mother as well as giving myself space to develop my art could coexist. Read more>>

Ashton Hirota | Designer / CEO – Ashton Michael

Working predominantly on the entertainment side of fashion for the past 20 years , the word ” balance” has seemed like a urban myth most times. As rewarding and challenging as this career path can be it is not one for the faint of heart. When I started my first company at 19 I was immediately tossed into the lions den of ” sleep , self care and personal life” came last. I can recall never wanting to say NO to a gig/ opportunity even if I knew it was goin to be detrimental to my mental health . There was this instilled drive / fear that if I said no, the next person who said yes would forever take my place. Which as a seasoned business owner now I can acknowledge that is not the case whatsoever. I used to think if in not working I am being lazy . Read more>>

Aline & Wes | Seattle Music Duo

“I work a full-time job during the day and the older I get the more and more important a work life balance is to me. I’ve done my best to compartmentalize my efforts. My greatest passion is singing and creating music. I don’t ever want to look back and not have pursued or accepted a music opportunity. Life is passing by, and I still dream of singing,performing, and writing music full time.” Aline Vida “It seems like the time windows of free time have dwindled, so when free time is presented is has to be utilized effectively and efficiently. “ Wes Speight Read more>>

Yuanhua Wang | Sound Designer/ Mixer

I don’t really have a lot of tips on how I balance my work and life, but more of how I love my work and life. For me, balancing is all about finding the way to enjoy it . I believe everyone who went through the pandemic somehow slightly changed their work life balance. I was a MFA Filmmaking student and graduated during the pandemic. It was so unreal that after an online graduation ceremony I am no longer a student. I was working that day and didn’t even. Life before that was mostly school and little time like weekends spent on some set learning by doing. It was really hard in the very beginning but so glad after a year’s working I feel like I do find my work life balance. Read more>>