What’s the right balance between work and non-work time? The traditional 9-5 has slowly disappeared with the emails and zoom and texting going far beyond traditional business hours. We asked members of our community to share with us how they think about work-life balance.

Jill Charton | Personal Trainer & Founder of iFour.Life

Balance in life is everything! The idea of “balance” is actually a huge part of iFour. Life’s name, value and model. I show clients what’s possible by setting aside just 4% of their entire day to focus on themselves and their wellness. That’s just one hour a day in order to transform into a healthier, happier, more efficient version of yourself. Read more>>

Tabatha Ferrer | LMSW & Founder of The 4AIR Project

My balance is similar to a roller coaster. Over the past year, I have juggled many jobs, where were all great but consumed a alot of my energy. If I am booked with gigs outside of my full time job, my schedule can get hectic and be very overwhelming. I use to say “yes” to participate in all projects and events that I’ve been invited to, which has led to burn out. Now I am saying “no” to give myself a break. I find myself giving myself more grace and acknowledging my feelings. Read more>>

Natasha Smith | Owner, Sweet Impact

My work life balance has definitely improved over time. When I first started, there were many late nights and working around the clock to complete orders. It became very exhausting. Baking and creating is what I love to do and I began to feel burnt out. I now try to plan out my weeks with rest time and set times for me to work to ensure I am enjoying life and also taking care of myself. Read more>>

Fangyu Ma | Illustrator Designer

To be honest there was no balance in my life before. My life was terrible when I first came to the US. As I changed my major and wanted to finish my studies in two years, I was able to grow into a professional illustrator. But two years is very difficult to accomplish this goal, because no one can guarantee that you will achieve something the moment you graduate. Read more>>

Melanie Covert | Visiting Assistant Professor, Oglethorpe University, Owner/ Director Awakenings Counseling Center, Phd, LPC, CPCS

When I first graduated college I was really invested in the idea of “paying dues” and working as hard as I could to build somthing. Since getting my master’s degree and through my Phd I have had no less than two jobs including my business, sometimes working 3 or 4. After graduation I was also holding a position as a full time professor and doing consulting on the side while also growing my business. Read more>>

Aaron Bennett | Artist/Engineer/Director

Work life balance is constantly changing working in the music industry, Its up at times and its down at times. There has been a point where I have working long hours throughout the day and get drained to a point where things I need to work on mentally or on a personal level that gets neglected. Read more>>

Kristine Nyborg | Photographer, chronicler and educator

I think the definition of balance has changed. My pursuit of my career was an all-consuming thing and I thought balance meant that I was supposed to do it that way. That the only balance I needed was to keep earning enough through editorial photography so I could spend time doing my personal projects. Over time these projects also became part of my income from editorial photography. Read more>>

Erika Maxie | Yoga Teacher & Flutist

Work life balance is a term often used today and reflects an intention to manage a busy modern lifestyle. What’s important is remembering that balance is not necessarily taking on a lot of responsibility or tasks with high performance but rather starts in the mind. Our mindfulness is authentically rooted in non-striving and being still, mind and body. Read more>>

Malaja Owens Bailey | Founder/CEO, The Village Center for Culture and Character, Inc.

Work-life balance is extremely important. Especially in today’s times. I am a firm believer in the saying, “if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Even if you can’t work a job that you love, you still have to find ways to MAKE time to experience life and fulfillment. The Village 3C is my love work. Read more>>

Mercedes Hickman | License Clinical Social Worker & Travel Agent

I remember getting my first job at 15 years old while still in high school and playing sports. Then something shifted in me at 16 years old and I picked up a second job to add to all the other responsibilities. From that day forward that became my life: school, work, work, sports, repeat. This continued until I completed my masters degree program, the it just became work, work, and more work. Read more>>