Balance...schmalance?

"work/life balance"

Can we talk about this?

I used to believe there was a way to balance it all. That there was a magical land where the pieces of our lives fell into tidy compartments, wonderfully and equally balanced, so that we can fully focus on each independently and successfully.

Now that I’ve tossed that notion out the window (for the most part..I'm always working on it!) and have embraced that my work is integrated into my life, unapologetically, I’m starting to see a shift.

Some might call it a mindset shift. I like to think of it as a lifestyle shift. It’s not all sunshine and roses, by any means, but by not trying to separate my life as a friend, parent, entrepreneur, community member, partner, human, family member, etc, etc...I feel better about fitting all these bits into my life.

I’m striving to let go of the idea that separating my work at one end of the teeter-totter and life at the other is the best plan for me.

What did you enjoy the most about the playground teeter-totter? For me, it was the up and down, belly laughing fun, I had with friends as we moved together in the thrill of it all.

Do you strive to find that perfect balance? Does that feel best for you?

I asked these questions over on Instagram and some brilliant entrepreneurs shared valuable wisdom and real life thoughts on this topic and I'd love to share with you here.

Somebody once said to me that to be balanced means to be static. As soon as you move...so requiring balance is orthogonal to life - it can only exist for moments and requires a lot of energy to sustain. Instead, seek integration around a vision statement. What you get is more like a party/garden/ecosystem. For 20 years, Paul and I have had the vision statement Work = Play. It becomes like a destination our life-autopilot corrects course to reach. 
                                                                                         ​- @oldbarnpottery

I embrace that is entwined and acknowledge that most days it provides me with the flexibility and freedom to do what I want.
The days it does not are hard. Usually really hard. I find in self employment it is either amazing or awful. No real middle ground in my experience.
I have gotten better at accepting this and not having a fight or flight response when it happens.
                                                            - @schoolhouseglutenfreegourmet

I'm so curious to hear from you - please share all your work/life balance thoughts in the comments!