The Myth of Work-Life Balance: Why It’s About Integration, Not Perfection

"I used to chase the idea of 'perfect balance' between work and family... but it felt like I was always dropping the ball somewhere."
For the longest time, I thought work-life balance meant giving 50% to work and 50% to family every single day. But the truth? 

It doesn’t always work that way. And it doesn’t have to.
As working parents, we’re bombarded with this pressure to “balance” everything perfectly. 

But let me tell you, balance isn’t always possible, and that’s okay. 

Some days, work takes up more of your energy. 

Other days, family needs more of you. And guess what? Neither makes you a failure.

What I’ve learnt through years of trying to find that balance is that it’s not about splitting your time evenly between work and family, it’s about integrating the two.

Instead of thinking of work and family as separate entities, think about how they can flow together.

You don’t have to be a perfect parent or a perfect employee. 

Trying to maintain perfection in both creates unrealistic expectations. 

What’s more sustainable is aiming for harmony. Integration allows you to show up where you’re needed, without guilt.

Some days, you’ll spend more time with your family. Some days, work will take priority. 

The key is knowing when to shift and giving yourself grace to embrace the flow.

"Balance is not something you find, it's something you create." – Jana Kingsford

I used to feel like I was failing both at work and as a parent. 

Then I realised it’s not about perfection, it’s about blending both worlds…

Now, I schedule work around family dinners and give myself grace to shift focus when needed. It’s all about finding your own flow.
How do you approach balance as a working parent?

Do you aim for perfection, or are you finding ways to integrate work and family life?