What’s the right balance between work and non-work time? The traditional 9-5 has slowly disappeared with the emails and zoom and texting going far beyond traditional business hours. We asked members of our community to share with us how they think about work-life balance.

Bruna Bertossi | Actress, Entrepreneur, Songwriter, Producer,

Balancing my personal and professional life has been an evolving journey for me, particularly as I’ve navigated various cultural influences since moving from Brazil to China and after the United States, Arrived in Los Angeles in 2021.
A significant aspect of my balance stems from my deep spirituality and faith in God, which I prioritize in my daily life. Read more>>

Sienna Benton | Publisher

I was 15 when I got my first job. I honestly can’t remember a time I didn’t have a job, and I’ve professionally job jumped my whole life. I used to be the person who’d stay late and go above and beyond at my jobs. I was eager for promotions, or raises. Now honestly, that “balance” part of life really comes with setting boundaries. Not just in work, but in all areas of life. I don’t work more than my body can physically handle anymore. It’s still detoxing all the years of trauma and stress, and when my body is in detox mode, it SLEEPS. Another key factor is also letting go of fear. So many people are afraid of losing their jobs, their relationships, moving to a new location.  Read more>>

Camille Kerani | Genre-Bending Saxophonist and UCLA Student

To me there is no balance. When you do something like play an instrument professionally, it’s something that becomes a part of you. For me, whenever I’m out, I constantly have the same thing on my mind. When you have a job that’s 9-5, you have hours where you’re at work, and hours where you’re done working. But music is 24/7. Read more>>

Galit Friedlander | Dance Teacher & Personal Trainer

To start…I didn’t used to have any balance. When I was a newer dancer and trainer in Los Angeles, it was all about the grind and filling up all of the ‘white space’ in my calendar with things to do. Rest felt like a betrayal to my goals, and I prioritized work over everything. Read more>>

Mert Birer | Cinematographer & Actor

When I first started in the industry, it felt like a dream. Those early years were all fun and games. I vividly remember going to shoots, spending maybe 5 or 6 hours on set, wrapping up the project, and then heading home, often complaining about how long the day was. Yet, despite feeling “exhausted,” I’d immediately go out with friends afterward, full of energy. Back then, it seemed like I had all the time in the world, and the work didn’t really feel like work—it was just pure excitement. Read more>>

Jules Thompson | Marketing & Podcast Consultant

I spent my twenties exploring careers that excited me, and I felt like I was really making a difference in people’s lives. That motivation, while pure in its intention, led me to sacrifice my own well-being in many ways. When you’re inspired, rewarded for your work ethic and focused on growing your career, it’s easy to overlook the signs of impending burnout. I’ve been extremely lucky in my career to have opportunities and mentors that believed in me, and let me take on more than I could handle. I was willing to reach my limits to make people proud, to feel successful. Read more>>

Trinity “baby Rn” ♡ | Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist & Shuffler

As some of you may know, I’m currently juggling the intense workload of a doctorate-level nurse anesthesia program and dance—mostly shuffling—and honestly, it’s what keeps me energized! In the past, I used to push my hobbies aside whenever life got busy, thinking they could wait. But after going through one of the toughest challenges of my life last year, I had a major perspective shift. Life is more than just hitting the next big milestone or chasing goals like career success or financial stability. Read more>>

Julia Willinger | Licensed Psychotherapist, Retreat Leader, Meditation and Yoga Teacher

I went from a life of no balance to a life where balance is my priority. When I worked in the music industry, my work was my life. I was always working, traveling, and moving from one thing to the next. I was saying yes to every opportunity and invitation. I never had time to be with myself or take care of myself. Looking back, I am not sure I wanted that time or understood how to have it. After multiple burnouts and eventually leaving that career, I have played around with balance and prioritization. As someone who loves to try things and is passionate about what I do, I had to figure out a way to still be multi-passionate, while prioritizing my mental and physical health as well as what brings me meaning and joy.  Read more>>