March 2025

“Leave your personal life at home. Leave your work life at your workplace.”

Sounds simple, right? But in reality, the experiences that make us capable in both areas come from both worlds. Life and work aren’t two separate islands—we carry lessons, emotions, and even stress between them.

The Warning Signs of Imbalance

One of the biggest clues that we’re struggling with balance is when frustration and anger spill over onto the wrong people. Work tension can show up at home, and personal stress can creep into professional interactions.

For me, the moment I realized I was losing perspective was when I found myself ready to discuss the latest political headlines—with my six-year-old granddaughter. Now, there’s nothing wrong with keeping up with current events, but her priority at that moment was far simpler: she just wanted me to sing Let It Go from Frozen.

Looking back, I wonder if she was wiser than I gave her credit for.

Finding a Way to Let Go

An old sitcom, Dharma and Greg, had a visual that stuck with me— “Put it in a bubble and blow it away.” To this day, I catch myself miming the act: forming a bubble with my hands, placing my worries inside, and gently blowing them away. A small, playful gesture, but a powerful reminder that I have control over what I carry and what I let go of.

It’s Not All or Nothing

Work-life balance isn’t about shutting down one part of yourself to function in another. You don’t have to quit work to enjoy life, and you don’t have to ignore life to be successful at work.

But balance does require deliberate action. Prioritising what truly matters in the moment—whether it’s a meeting, a conversation, or a song with a child—makes all the difference.

If you’re wondering whether you’re striking the right balance, let’s get together. I’d love to explore what’s working, what’s not, and how you can create a balance that actually works for you.