We all want work-life balance, but what exactly does that mean? As a mental health speaker, I hear people say different things around this topic. “Work-life balance doesn’t exist” or it’s more “work-life harmony”. What I like to tell people is- every day you have a choice to have work-life balance, and every day you won’t have work-life balance.
So, what do I mean when I say “work-life balance”? This doesn’t mean you are putting in equal time between work and non-work activities. Why not? Well, let’s look at the definition of “balance.” In the spirit of embracing AI, I’m going to cite various definitions ChatGPT came up with around this phrase for you to ponder.
General Definition:
Balance is a state of stability where different elements are in the correct proportions — not too much, not too little — allowing things to function smoothly and harmoniously.
Personal / Wellness Definition:
Balance means maintaining harmony between your physical, mental, and emotional well-being — having enough energy for what matters most without feeling overextended or depleted.
Work–Life / Professional Definition:
Balance is the ability to manage professional demands and personal priorities in a way that supports productivity and fulfillment — sustaining long-term success without burnout.
Mindset / Coaching Definition:
Balance isn’t about equal time or effort — it’s about intentional alignment. It’s knowing when to push, when to pause, and how to stay grounded while moving toward your goals.
Not one of these mentioned 50/50. So I think we need to get the idea out of our head that we “should be” working or not working a certain number of hours. Work-life balance is different, person to person.
For example, as a single entrepreneur, I commend myself for having work-life balance. After all, I moved down South and left my corporate job for this very reason. Because of my lifestyle, work-life balance for me often looks like doing some work on Saturday and Sunday mornings over coffee on the couch. Now some of you may be thinking- “working on the weekends doesn’t sound like work-life balance” but I actually enjoy it. What I don’t enjoy? Setting an alarm. So while ideally I like to get up at 7:30am and start my day, if I don’t sleep well or want to stay in bed- I let myself. On those days, I may stay in bed til 9am or 10am (I can hear gasps across the screen reading this) but this is what works for me. When I have a family some day? I HIGHLY DOUBT I will be able to stay in bed that late, and I’ll probably want my weekends to spend quality time, and therefore, I’ll need to re-evaluate what work-life balance means to me and adjust accordingly.
So, instead of looking at what you SHOULD do or what you think is “normal” or “balanced” pick the definition above that resonates most with you and ask- ‘Do I feel fulfilled personally and professionally?’ If not, which side could use a little bit more love and attention?
And while I have you (and on a related topic,) boundaries are another contentious topic of what we think we should do. If you like to work in the evenings, don’t guilt yourself. Lean into the habits and schedule that works for you. Just go back to your definition or questions- ‘Do I feel in harmony?’ ‘Do I have enough energy to accomplish the things I want?’ If not, take a closer look at some changes you can make to work towards your goals.
The first step is to reflect on what matters to you and what works for you, without paying attention to what others are doing around you. After all, Theodore Roosevelt did say “comparison is the thief of joy”. You are the CEO of your schedule, your energy and your time. Make the most of it.
Author: Georgia Homsany is the owner of DAILY DOSE Wellness, author of “You’re Not Lazy- Change Your Words to Change Your Worth” and a mental health & wellness speaker. For information on wellness workshops or speaking inquiries, contact info@dailydose-wellness.com.
