The Myth of Balance
Let’s just say it: balance is bullsh*t.
At least, the version we’ve been sold.
You know the one—where you’re perfectly splitting time between career, motherhood, self-care, marriage, friendships, and hobbies… all while glowing and drinking green juice.
The truth? That version of balance is exhausting just thinking about it. And it’s keeping too many of us stuck in a cycle of overwhelm and guilt, constantly feeling like we’re falling short in every category.
But what if balance isn’t the goal at all?
What if the real power comes from presence?
When You’re Always On, You’re Never Here
I used to wear busyness like a badge of honor.
Back-to-back Zoom calls. Multi-tasking during dinner. Scrolling through emails at my kid’s swim meet. My mind was always somewhere else—even when my body was in the room.
And I’ll be honest, for a while, it felt like that’s just what “success” required.
Until it didn’t.
Until I started to feel disconnected.
From my work.
From my family.
From myself.
I wasn’t showing up with my full energy anywhere—because I had given pieces of it to everything.
The Wake-Up Call
It didn’t come in one big, dramatic moment.
It came in small, quiet ones.
Like when my family said, “You’re here, but you’re not really with us.”
Or when I caught myself rereading the same email four times because my brain just… couldn’t focus.
Or when I realized I couldn’t remember the last time I did something just for me without trying to justify it with productivity.
That’s when I started to ask:
What if I could be fully here in each moment, even when the pace didn’t slow down?
What Presence Really Looks Like
Presence isn’t passive. It’s not about meditating on a mountaintop or walking away from your ambition.
It’s about tuning in—so you can stop reacting from exhaustion and start responding from intention.
For me, practicing presence looks like:
- Putting my phone in another room during family dinner—even if it’s just for 20 minutes.
- Starting meetings with one deep breath and one clear intention.
- Saying “Let me get back to you” instead of giving an automatic yes.
- Not trying to do five things at once, even if I could.
These might seem small—but they’ve changed the way I lead, love, and live.
Presence Isn’t About Slowing Down. It’s About Showing Up.
You don’t need to quit your job or book a silent retreat.
You don’t need to be perfect.
You just need to come back to yourself—moment by moment.
Presence isn’t a destination.
It’s a practice.
A muscle.
A choice.
Want to Build This Practice With Me?
I created my next SheHandlesIt workshop for women just like us—who want to lead with more clarity, calm, and intention… without losing momentum.
🌿 Power of Presence: Integrating Mindfulness into a Modern Life
📅 Tuesday, May 21st at 12:00 PM ET (via Zoom)
🎟️ Reserve your seat
Because we don’t need to do more to feel better.
We just need to be here.
Let’s stop chasing balance—and start creating presence.
Last modified: May 13, 2025
