Why “Balance” Is a Myth – And What I Do Instead

If I had a dollar for every time someone told me to “just find balance,” I’d have enough to hire a full-time assistant, chauffeur, and personal chef. The reality? Balance, as most people imagine it, doesn’t exist—at least not in my world. And if you’re a corporate working mom juggling meetings, kids' sports, and a million other things, I’m guessing it doesn’t exist in yours either.

The Morning Rush: When "Balance" Is Nowhere to Be Found

Today was an office day, which meant leaving before my little ones even opened their eyes. There was a faint call of "See you after school" as I grabbed my bag and headed out the door, my coffee barely cooled enough to drink. No slow, peaceful morning routine here—just a race against the clock to get out the door and into the office on time.

The Workday Chaos: Meetings on Meetings on Meetings

Work today? Packed. My calendar was a solid block of meetings, leaving exactly zero time to actually cross things off my to-do list. I tackled what I could in between calls, but let’s be real—days like this make progress feel impossible. The emails keep coming, the action items pile up, and by the end of the day, my brain feels like it just ran a marathon.

The Myth of Balance

If balance means equal parts work, family, self-care, and relaxation, then I’m failing spectacularly. But here’s the truth: balance isn’t about perfect harmony; it’s about making it work. Some days, work takes over. Some days, it’s all about the kids. And some days, if I’m lucky, I squeeze in an uninterrupted workout or a moment to breathe.

What I Do Instead

So, if balance is a myth, what do I do instead? I prioritize. I adapt. I give myself grace. Some days, that means leaving the dishes in the sink. Other days, it means accepting that my inbox will never be at zero. And always, it means remembering that I’m doing my best—and that’s enough.

To every other mom out there trying to do it all: You’re not alone. And you’re not failing. You’re just making it work, one beautifully chaotic day at a time.