Work-Life Balance: What Even Is That?

Balance, balance, balance.

It seems like all I hear lately is that balance is necessary for a happy life. But what does that even mean? How do you even achieve that goal? And is it really balance if the pursuit of balance itself is stressful?

Personally, I don't think balance is even a thing. Let's leave balance for the scales.

Seriously, how do you even begin to balance life anyway? Is there an instruction manual somewhere that I missed?

I believe balance isn't a fixed state. There are seasons when my job requires more of my attention than my home life, and there are seasons when my home life requires more of my attention than my job. Where is the balance in that?

Where is the balance when you have a full-time job, kids, and a husband who needs your attention on a consistent basis? Where is the balance in a 40-hour work week, kids' homework, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, cleaning, grocery shopping, and your husband's libido?

For me, balance looks different.

It looks like taking each day as it comes. It looks like becoming comfortable with the word "no." It looks like creating space to pause and ask myself, "Do I wanna cum tonight?"

That's balance for me.

I don't focus on what happened last year, last week, or even yesterday. I don't spend much time worrying about what will happen tomorrow, next week, or next year. My focus is on right now.

How am I breathing?

Can my brain handle this much right now?

And when I am completely out of sorts, honestly? "Fuck it. Let it burn."

While I will absolutely argue that I am hyperfunctional, and I do honor every emotion, and shit, I even plan for the inevitable "what's next?" in life, I highly value and respect the harmony of peace that currently exists within my nervous system.

Like any regular person, I struggle with intrusive thoughts. I rage at the stupidity of the world sometimes. I get overwhelmed. I get frustrated. I have moments when I question everything.

But I am also constantly looking for the beauty of humanity. I am always searching for the moments that restore my hope.

With each passing day, I focus on what I can control: my thoughts, my words, my emotions, and my actions.

Maybe balance isn't about giving equal attention to everything in your life.

Maybe balance is knowing what deserves your attention today.

Maybe it's trusting yourself enough to know when to lean in, when to let go, when to say no, and when to say, "Fuck it, not today."

And maybe that's enough.