Hey beautiful community,

It’s Abby here. I want to have a real heart-to-heart with you today. If there’s one phrase I’ve heard tossed around more than anything else in our circles, it’s work-life balance. You’ve heard it, right? That magical, picture-perfect state where you’re excelling in your career, building your dreams, staying on top of family life, nurturing friendships, eating healthy, meditating, working out, looking stylish, and of course, doing it all without breaking a sweat.

Sounds familiar?

The truth is, this idea of work-life balance has been romanticized, sugarcoated, and even weaponized against women. Instead of helping us, it often makes us feel guilty, inadequate, or like we’re constantly behind.

But here’s the good news: Work-Life Balance isn’t about perfection. It’s about intention, flexibility, and self-compassion. And sometimes, it’s about throwing away the myths we’ve been conditioned to believe.

So today, I’m breaking down five myths about work-life balance that women need to unlearn right now. Grab your coffee, tea, or that well-deserved glass of wine, it’s about to get real.

Myth 1: Work-Life Balance Means Splitting Your Time 50/50

One of the biggest misconceptions is that Work-Life Balance means dividing your time equally between work and personal life like a neat little pie chart where everything gets its fair share.

But let me ask you: has your life ever worked out in neat percentages?

No! Life is fluid. Some weeks, work will demand more from you. Other times, family or personal projects take center stage. That doesn’t mean you’re failing at balance—it means you’re human.

What to Unlearn

Work-Life Balance is not about strict division, it’s about alignment with your priorities. If your season right now demands that you give more to your career, it’s okay. If another season requires you to focus on your family, that’s okay too. Work-Life Balance shifts as you grow.

What to Do Instead

Ask yourself daily: What matters most today? Then give yourself permission to focus there without guilt.

Myth 2: Women Should Be Able to “Do It All” Without Help

Oh, this one burns me the most. The myth of the “superwoman” who works full-time, raises kids, maintains a beautiful home, looks flawless, volunteers, has an active social life, and never complains.

Let’s pause and acknowledge the truth: nobody does it all alone. Even the women you admire, those leaders, entrepreneurs, mothers, creatives, they all have systems of support, whether that’s family, friends, or paid help.

What to Unlearn

Needing help is not weakness. It’s wisdom. The idea that you should carry everything on your shoulders is not empowerment, it’s a trap.

What to Do Instead

• Delegate tasks where possible (yes, even laundry if you can afford it).
• Lean on your community, friends, or spouse.
• Recognize that asking for help allows others to step into love and service.

Remember, self-sufficiency doesn’t mean self-sacrifice.

Myth 3: Self-Care Is Selfish

How many times have you put off something good for yourself because you felt guilty? Maybe you skipped a workout, a spa day, or even five minutes of silence because it felt like “wasted time.”

This myth is rooted in the belief Work-Life Balance that a woman’s value comes only from serving others. But let’s be clear: burnt-out women cannot pour love, energy, or creativity into their work or families.

What to Unlearn

Self-care isn’t a luxury, it’s fuel. It’s how you recharge your body, mind, and spirit to show up for your dreams and loved ones.

What to Do Instead

• Schedule self-care like a meeting. Treat it as non-negotiable.
• Redefine self-care: it’s not always bubble baths and candles. Sometimes it’s saying “no,” getting extra sleep, or journaling.
• Remind yourself daily: When I take care of myself, I take care of everyone else better.

Myth 4: Success Requires Sacrificing Personal Happiness

We’ve been told that if we want to “make it” in life, we have to grind relentlessly. Sleep less. Push harder. Forget hobbies. Neglect relationships. Hustle until burnout.

But let me challenge that: what’s the point of success if you’re too drained, disconnected, or joyless to enjoy it?

I’ve been in seasons where I achieved great things professionally, but inside I was empty, exhausted, and questioning myself. That’s not success, that’s survival.

What to Unlearn

Sacrificing happiness for success isn’t noble, it’s harmful. You don’t have to choose between achievement and joy.

What to Do Instead

• Redefine success for yourself. (Hint: it doesn’t have to match Instagram’s version).
• Build a lifestyle where joy is woven into your daily rhythm.
• Celebrate milestones with presence, not just productivity.

Because the truth is, sustainable success feels better when it’s partnered with peace.

Myth 5: Balance Means Perfection

Here’s the final myth, and maybe the most damaging: that a balanced life means everything looks perfect. The home is spotless, the emails are cleared, the children are smiling, your outfit is Pinterest-worthy, and you’re glowing with zen-like calm.

But friend, perfection is a performance, not reality. Real Work-Life Balance looks messy sometimes. Some days you’ll crush your to-do list. Other days, you’ll binge on Netflix in pajamas, and that’s okay.

What to Unlearn

Balance doesn’t mean every area of your life is thriving at the same time. It means you’re present, intentional, and gentle with yourself.

What to Do Instead

• Embrace imperfection as proof of being real.
• Let go of comparison (especially to curated online lives).
• Measure progress, not perfection.

Final Thoughts: Balance Is Personal

At the end of the day, work-life balance isn’t about following a formula, it’s about knowing yourself and creating rhythms that serve you.

Here’s the truth I want you to hold on to:

Balance is seasonal.
Balance is flexible.
Balance is about progress, not perfection.
Balance looks different for every woman.

Unlearning these myths will free you from guilt and comparison. It will also open you to create a life that is aligned, joyful, and sustainable.

So let’s stop chasing the illusions. Instead, let’s build our own version of balance—one that feels authentic, empowering, and life-giving.

And as always, know this: you’re not alone in this journey. We’re walking this path together as a community of women who are choosing real over perfect, grace over guilt, and joy over pressure.ed reality shows to fill programming gaps. The 2024 strike has affected reality TV’s ecosystem in ways that weren’t as pronounced during the 2007 strike, leaving the genre exposed.