Putting the "Life" Back in Work Life Balance

This blog was originally shared on February 19, 2024.

When I first opened my home organizing business in 2009, I was working full-time as an Executive Assistant and was looking for an outlet for my knack for decluttering and minimalism, deep appreciation for the calm an organized space brings, and love of directly supporting others. I wanted something that could bring in a little extra money, played to my strengths, and was away from the computer. 

My side hustle provided the financial cushion for the “fun” things in my early professional life. It enabled me to go to the movies, dinner out, and the occasional weekend away while also still being able to pay for my basic living expenses. I had “work life balance.” I found enjoyment in both the work I was doing, but also the dedicated time with my friends and loved ones. 

When I was considering the transition to full-time freelancing two years ago, I needed to find a way to fully replace my income, cover my expenses, taxes, and retirement, and still thrive personally. I was looking for the dream - own my own business and still have “work life balance.”

The unknown of whether I would need to “work all the time” to replace my income was the thing that kept me up at night. At the end of the day, I wanted to be present for my family and friends while also taking time to lean into my hobbies (baking, walking, trying to find the best Jambon Buerre (IYKYK) in Baltimore, etc). 

I wanted to be able to thrive professionally and financially and have a life filled with my family, friends, and hobbies. 

Eventually, I faced a moment that brought together desperation, hope, optimism, fear, uncertainty, and inspiration. I quit my W2 position and committed to 6 months of freelancing. If it worked out, great, I’d keep going. If it didn’t, I’d transition to find a new W2 position.

Last year, my first full year of freelancing, I said ‘yes’ to just about everything. I wanted to be successful and felt I needed to prove it to myself that I could do this. But last year reinforced that when you say ‘yes’ to something, you are inevitably saying ‘no’ to something else. 

In saying ‘yes' to almost every opportunity that came my way, I ended up logging an average of 50 hours each week. Without noticing, I was simultaneously and subconsciously saying ‘no’ to finding balance and prioritizing non-work aspects of my identity.

It was a lot! 

As an Executive Assistant and Chief of Staff, I pride myself in continuously advocating for and fiercely protecting my clients’s boundaries. I shift meetings as priorities evolve and I am constantly suggesting taking time off to spend with their own priority people. Similarly, I am continuously telling peers, members of my network, and friends to fiercely protect their boundaries to ensure the work feels sustainable. “Whatever you do, you must take care of yourself and your energy.”

But last year, I didn’t take my own advice, and it wasn’t sustainable. While I met my business goals in 2023, I didn’t have the balance of non-work time, time to prioritize my family, friends, and myself. I wasn’t putting my oxygen mask on first (flight attendants are on to something here).

Towards the end of  last year, I shut down. I was tired and overextended. So much life had happened last year and I never truly stopped to reflect, process, and grieve. I spent the last two months of 2023 in survival mode. I showed up for my clients, but also slept, reflected, and made commitments for what must change in order to remain a freelancer.

As we enter the midpoint of Q1 and I enter the middle of my second full year of freelancing, I am prioritizing finding better balance this year. Tangibly this means:

• I am more deliberately deciding who will receive my time - and who won’t. My energy, especially as an extreme introvert, is finite and I must do a better job protecting it.
• I am prioritizing self-care. I am committed to at least 7 hours of sleep most nights and prioritizing my health.
• I am listening to my body for what I need. If I have the space in my day and want to go for a walk or take a break to read a book, I’m going to do it.
• I am working to identify a better client load that allows for strategic client work, but also time and capacity for my passion projects during typical business hours. 
• I am targeting dedicated time with my husband and with my son. 

I am prioritizing my energy and putting the “life” back into my “work life balance.” 

As with most people, figuring out what “work life balance” means at each stage of life can be challenging, and requires a commitment to listening to your body, your heart, and the data. As a small business owner, it feels especially essential to take care of your personal well-being for the sustained success of your business given how deeply your business is interwoven with your well-being.. 

We can probably all do a little better in setting clear boundaries, delegating tasks, and making time for self-care in working to find the right blend of productivity and personal fulfillment. Embrace the journey of finding your unique equilibrium, and watch as both you and your business flourish.

Meet the Author: Heather Owens is the Founder of Curate Impact. In addition to aspiring to connect people with one another, with resources, and with opportunities, she provides direct operational support to social and environmental impact executives and companies. In her free time, she helps Baltimoreans organize their homes.

Connect with Heather: Reach out via email for inquiries related to direct operational support or organizing support. Follow Curate Impact on Instagram and reach out via email with any questions you may have.