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.

Benedetto Motisi

Over time, my work-life balance has evolved significantly, particularly as I’ve embraced the digital landscape and, more recently, the revolutionary potential of AI. For those of us who work in digital, but also for many others, AI isn’t just a tool for efficiency—it’s an opportunity to reimagine how we balance work and personal life. Read more>>

Alie Mac

I used to say yes to every project. I would be so flattered that someone wanted to collaborate with me that I would do things for free and things without realistic concepts. What ended up happening is that I built time for these projects for others, some paid gigs and my own personal projects and felt like attending my family and friends get-togethers, events and celebrations were taking me away from my over committed schedule. I found myself not being present for the things that really mattered. I learned that I need to add my social network, my family, my support system into my overall pie of time that makes up – feeds and takes – my energy. I’m much more selective now to get involved with projects and really ask early about the scope. Understanding what I’m saying yes to is so crucial in making sure that I have time to be in the moment with the people I care about. Read more>>

Omar Bustamante

When I was younger I had ALL the time in the world. I would take classes all the time and do plays, staged readings all over NYC. Now, with a family things have definitely changed as far as scheduling and time management. Being picky about what projects I involve myself in. But I’ve also found myself with a fuller life and not hinging everything whether I get every job or not. It’s allowed me to get tighter with my schedule as well. I know that I need to get this audition in or work on this character within this time I’ve given myself. The years of training and experience has also given me the confidence that I don’t need a lot of time if I just trust myself and lean on my experience. Read more>>

Kara Sperling

My perspective on work-life balance has undergone a significant shift over the years. Before becoming a mom in 2017, I was operating a thriving wedding and portrait photography business. I was constantly on the go, working around the clock, and honestly, I was burning myself out.

Having my three daughters in four years was a transformative experience. The intense morning sickness and postpartum depression I faced made it necessary for me to slow down and re-evaluate my priorities. I stopped shooting weddings altogether and focused on finding a more sustainable rhythm. Read more>>

Jenny Run

To this day, I still think workaholics are sexy. I enjoy being a workaholic. Actually I work hard and play hard. Sometimes working feels like playing for me. I enjoy making continuous progress. I love learning new things to keep my synapses alive and busy. Life wise I prioritize my sleep, nutrition, and personal hygiene, while trying to build up an exercise routine. The rest of the time I want to spend it all on work. Work is fun, better than sex. Read more>>

Ethan Salmon | Concept Artist and Illustrator

Work / life balance has been a struggle for me ever since I started taking art more seriously, and started considering it as a career. I’ve gone through long stretches of constant, sometimes obsessive phases of practice and work, which are usually followed by an even longer break where I actively avoid everything art related or looking at a white canvas. Read more>>

Keena Ballard | Autism Advocate & Film student

My priorities have shifted to embracing a balance that fosters personal growth and professional creativity. I am dedicating more time to innovative projects that expand my business and enrich my skill set and knowledge. Alongside these pursuits, I remain mindful of managing my daily energy and prioritizing self-care to maintain a sense of harmony and well-being. Read more>>

Maria Galloway | Artist, Art Teacher, & Studio Owner

Achieving work-life balance has always been a challenge for me—something I’m sure many of you who are passionate about what you do can relate to. I’m incredibly fortunate to have my dream job as an artist and art teacher, spending my days immersed in creativity. Most of us here in LA have multiple gigs, side hustles, etc. For me, it’s the trying to keep up with juggling everything I do: my art business ReGallowayArt.com, being a business owner of 2 art studios here in Los Angeles, ViridianArt.com, running an Art Teacher blog, ArtTeacherinLA.com, and, family, exercise, and life in general. It’s a lot to keep up with. Carving out time for my personal artwork has often been a challenge. Read more>>