Have You Achieved the Elusive Work-Life Balance?
The time has come: It’s time to stop chasing unicorns.
There’s a persistent rumor floating around the universe, that I know has undoubtedly crept into your sector, and it’s as elusive as a pink polka dotted unicorn frolicking down your neighborhood street—what is this elusive unicorn you ask?
It’s called work-life balance. You’ve heard of it? The shiny ideal that suggests we can all perfectly manage a thriving career, a bustling social life, and a Zen-like home existence, all while keeping up with our kale smoothies and 5:30 a.m. spin classes.
Yeah, about that… it’s a myth.
In case you needed someone to finally say it out loud, here it is: Work-life balance doesn’t exist. At least not in the way the world wants you to believe it does. It creates unrealistic expectations, generates unnecessary frustration, and frankly, it’s doing more harm than good.
The very definition of balance is an even distribution or a situation in which elements are equal.
Now, it’s time to take stock. When was the last time your personal and professional life were equal? They were each receiving the exact same amount of time, effort, and attention? I’m going to venture to say that if these two areas were actually equal, then one area was probably suffering more than the other. Just like in relationships, 50/50 doesn’t exist.
If you’re a millennial like myself, then chasing after this elusive unicorn has probably garnered some sense of guilt or shame when you’re thisclose to catching it, but you keep falling short. Over. And over. And over again.
You keep trying because that’s the myth that’s been created feeding the lie that truly successful and healthy people can lasso that pink polka dotted unicorn. True balance really is possible! Or so they say.
The truth is, some weeks, you’re a boss in the boardroom and a ghost at home. Other times, you’re acing the parenting or social game, but your email inbox is basically screaming for attention. Attention shouldn’t be fixed on the same endless set of tasks. Life seasons will come and go, and your attention will need to shift right along with them. Trying to force a perfect balance only leads to frustration and burnout.
Here’s where it really gets tricky. The pursuit of work-life balance can backfire on your career. Yes, read that line again slowly: The pursuit of work-life balance can backfire on your career. (And the same is true for your personal life.)
Trying to split your energy equally between work and personal life all the time can dilute your focus. When you’re constantly pulled in different directions, neither area gets your best. Excellence doesn’t come from giving 50% to work and 50% to life—it comes from pouring yourself fully into the task at hand, whether it’s a big work project or family time.
The idea that you should be able to compartmentalize work and life is laughable when you realize both worlds constantly bleed into each other. Think of the last time you checked work emails during a family dinner or felt guilty about missing a meeting because your kid was sick.
Ultimately, the concept of work-life balance is like chasing an optical illusion—no matter how close you think you’re getting, it’s always just out of reach. Instead of pursuing this mythical balance, consider reframing your approach. Success, joy, and fulfillment come from integrating work and life, not separating them.
It’s time to stop chasing balance and start embracing the flow. Some days you’ll crush it at work and miss a few family dinners, and other days you’ll win at home but need to defer that client call. Life is about integration, not balance—and when we stop chasing the myth, that’s when we truly thrive.
So, let’s let go of the guilt, the unrealistic expectations, and the frustration. Balance isn’t the goal. You need to be present in the moment, wherever you are. And trust me, that’s way more satisfying than chasing after unicorns.
Be free,
Lani
P.S. Want to explore five more reasons work-life balance is really just a myth? Check out the FREE Guide.
P.P.S. Tired of chasing unicorns? Schedule your FREE Consult Call and let’s start defining success on your terms.
