Is There Such a Thing as "Work-Life Balance"?

Short answer? No.

Long answer?

I feel like the concept of “work-life balance” has become so romanticed for many professionals that it has altered our perception-

While in an ideal world we could perfectly balance work with personal life, dividing time evenly between responsibilities and relaxation but the reality, sadly, is that true work-life balance may not actually exist, or atleast not in the way we have been told.

Life is not an isolated environment; it’s constantly evolving, and so are our responsibilities. While we hear so much about the importance of maintaining a balance (which is true), I believe that striving for a perfect equilibrium can often be an unrealistic pursuit that only leads to more stress and burnout.

It is high time to challenge the idea that work-life balance can be neatly structured, because truthfully, nothing in life is truly balanced all the time.

Why "Balance" is Hard to Achieve?

To begin, it is crucial to recognize that life is full of competing demands. One day you might find work overwhelming with deadlines, projects, and meetings. The next? You might find yourself handling a personal or family matter that needs immediate attention. I went through this experience myself just last month, I caught Influenza which put a wretch in my perfectly planned schedule which gave me immense stress yet taught me so much because as these competing priorities continuously shifted, finding perfect balance between the two became more unrealistic as the day passed.

When you push yourself to make both sides of your life fit neatly into a designated balance, you will end up feeling like you're constantly falling short.

In reality, you cannot perfectly divide your time, energy, and attention between work and personal life 50/50.

There is always one side demanding a little more of you.

Shifting Focus: Flexibility Over Balance

So how about rather than chasing an unattainable goal, what if we shifted our focus from perfect balance to adaptability? Flexibility is where the real power lies is what I figured out as I navigate the blurring lines of my internship and masters degree.

Life’s demands will ebb and flow, and your ability to be flexible and adaptable in the face of those changes is the main key to avoiding burnout.

So what works instead? -> Flexibility, Prioritization, and Self-Compassion

1. Prioritize what truly matters When things get overwhelming, it’s important to prioritize. Not everything is urgent! Separate tasks into what must get done today and what can wait. The important thing is addressing the most pressing tasks, whether they're work-related or personal. Be realistic about your time and don’t expect to complete everything in one day.

   
   

2. Embrace flexibility Don’t strive for rigidity. Things change constantly, so adapting your schedule to be flexible, rather than fixed, can help reduce unnecessary stress.

   
   

3. Give yourself grace Perfectionism is a trap! Do not fall for it! It is impossible to have everything done perfectly and evenly. Instead- be kind to yourself and acknowledge that progress is more important than perfection. If you fall behind in one area, it doesn’t mean you’re failing — it simply means you have room for growth.

   Each day is a chance for you to improve and move forward.