Why Work-Life Balance Is a Myth — And What to Pursue Instead
Balance is not real
I don’t believe in balance.
I know that’s not what most people expect to hear — but to me, “work-life balance” is a myth.
It’s a hoax.
It’s a phrase we keep repeating without asking if it’s even possible.
The truth? We’ve all been put in different places, seasons, and situations — and no two look exactly the same.
Life isn’t balanced. It’s a continuum. It’s a spectrum. And the sooner we understand that, the freer we become.
Seasons, not Balance
Here’s what I’ve learned: life works in seasons.
There will be seasons where your career requires most of your energy — maybe you’re leading a major project, preparing for a big event, or navigating a critical case. For those months, your calendar will reflect that reality.
But once that season ends?
It may be time to set firm boundaries — to go home earlier, be present with your family, or simply rest.
And sometimes the priority needs to shift to you — to tending your own soul, refilling your cup, and remembering who you are outside of your work.
Biblical Perspective on Seasons
Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us:
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
Even in Scripture, we see God’s design for rhythms — planting and harvest, work and rest, pouring out and being poured into. Balance isn’t the goal — alignment is.
Daily and Weekly Shifts
Seasons don’t just happen quarterly. Sometimes they shift daily or weekly.
One day you may be fully in work mode. The next, you need to shift your energy toward relationships, spiritual health, or physical care.
The key is being in tune with yourself — and with God — enough to recognize when the ebb and flow needs to happen.
Practical Ways to Live in Alignment
One thing that’s helped me tremendously is holding a weekly meeting with myself.
I treat it just like a meeting I’d never cancel on anyone else.
In that meeting, I:
Check in with each area of my life (what I call my “eight buckets”)
Identify the three to five things I can realistically prioritize that week
Ask God where He needs my focus right now
Faith Over the Myth of Balance
When we chase “balance,” we often end up chasing perfection — and missing God’s actual instructions for our current season.
Instead, we can ask:
What is God calling me to focus on right now?
Which bucket needs the most attention this week?
Where am I resisting the shift He’s asking me to make?
Because the goal isn’t balance.
The goal is obedience in every season.
Reflection Questions
Which “bucket” of your life needs the most focus in this season?
Have you been chasing balance instead of seeking God’s direction?
How could a weekly meeting with yourself help you live more intentionally?
