By HTE Founder, Erin Hughes
Balance. It’s one of those words, isn’t it? A word we hear constantly and often strive for, sometimes without even knowing exactly what it means. I’ll admit it, I’ve been guilty of using the word way too often and putting way too much pressure on myself to achieve it.
But here’s the question – does balance even really exist?
We tend to think of balance as everything being equal. Equal time with our kids. Equal time with our partner. Equal time for work. Equal time for ourselves. But is that realistic? And is that even what balance really looks like?
The more I talk to women in the HTE community, the more I’ve realised that balance doesn’t mean equal. It doesn’t mean splitting time perfectly between every role we play. Because truthfully, that’s impossible. Life doesn’t work like that.
What balance does mean is different for everyone. And that’s the beauty of it. It’s about working out what helps you feel calm, grounded, fulfilled, and building that into your life.
For one person, it might be working full-time, spending weekends with the kids, and making space for three gym sessions a week. For another, it might be daily time alone, long chats with a friend, or regular connection with their partner. It’s not about equal time, it’s about what makes you feel steady, supported, and more like yourself.
If you’re trying to figure out what balance looks like for you, here are a few gentle prompts that might help:
- Think about what you love doing, and how those things make you feel
- Look at all areas of your life and what matters most to you right now
- Map out your week and see what’s taking up space (and what’s missing)
- Carve out time, even just 30 minutes, for something that’s just for you
- Communicate with your partner or support network, tell them what you need
- Get a little organised (even a loose plan helps make the good stuff happen)
And remember, balance doesn’t have to mean grand gestures or expensive self-care. It might be a solo walk, a cup of tea in peace, a swim, a phone call, or a moment to just breathe.
At the end of the day, we all need balance, in our own way, on our own terms. And we need to support each other in that too. Let’s ditch the judgment, celebrate the tiny wins, and lift each other up as we work out what feels good, what fills our cup, and what brings us home to ourselves.
Taking care of yourself (whatever that looks like), isn’t selfish. It’s powerful. It’s necessary. And it benefits not just you, but everyone around you too.
