Work/life balance is a topic I find myself revisiting often—and for good reason. It’s an ongoing struggle, especially now that my small business is my sole livelihood.
Recently, I went on vacation hoping to unwind and recharge, but the stress of work never quite let me go. Despite my best efforts to prepare and delegate, I found myself checking emails and handling tasks throughout my time off.
I really thought I had everything covered. But guess what? There were still things I needed to do and some that I missed out on (such as last week's blog post 🫣)!
No matter how much we prepare, unexpected issues can and will arise. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t prepare, but it’s important to set realistic expectations about what can and cannot be controlled.
I've given a lot of thought to work/life balance during and after my vacation, asking myself what I could've done to better prepare and reflecting on what I did right. Here’s some of my work/life balance advice (that I need to follow too)!
At this point in my life and career, I haven’t figured out how to not be available 24/7 for work. Running my own business means everything feels critical, and stepping away feels almost impossible. Setting clear boundaries with your team and clients about your availability is crucial.
Delegation is also key, but it requires trust. Building a team you trust to handle things in your absence is essential. This means investing time in training and empowering your team to make decisions they can feel confident in. It's a challenging process, but ultimately, it can provide peace of mind.
^ This part is purely advice, my clients and team were the reason I was actually able to step away for a day or two at a time. I am beyond thankful.
It’s really easy to be hard on ourselves and feel guilty when we can’t disconnect completely. Instead of feeling guilty about the need to check in, recognize that it’s part of the journey towards better balance. Acknowledge the effort you’re putting in and be kind to yourself.
Work/life balance isn’t a one-time achievement; it’s a continuous process that requires regular adjustment. What works now might not work in six months, and that’s okay. Regularly reassess your strategies and make adjustments as needed.
Lastly, while technology is amazing and keeps us connected, it can also tether us to work. Managing notifications and setting specific times to check emails can help create a healthier boundary between work and personal time.
Moving Forward
I’ll continue to explore and experiment with different strategies to achieve a better balance, and I encourage you to do the same. Sharing experiences and tips within our community can provide support and new ideas.
Running my own business has been an incredible journey over the past year, but it’s also a source of constant stress and worry, especially when I’m away. Have you had similar experiences? How do you manage work during personal time? Let’s keep this conversation going—because finding balance is something we can all work on together.
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