A host of factors, developments, and dynamics have made most industries more competitive than ever.  As a result so many of us wonder whether there is still such a think as work-life balance. We reached out to community to hear perspectives on finding the right balance.

Teryn Thress | Owner of remedes + richewels & Holistic Health Practitioner

I chose a zebra as an illustration for my business, remedes + richewels. A logo and power animal of sorts. Zebras symbolize the master of balance and represent individuality and freedom. Since I also believe it is impossible to be a master of balance, I look to the zebra as a symbol of encouragement to bring about balance in all that I do. Not to master it, but to understand how my experiences with balance resonate with me. To my individuality. To my freedom. Read more>>

Jessica Contreras | Artist

I’ve always been an active person with multiple jobs and projects going on at any given time, so trying to find a work/ life balance has always been a constant for me. I always want to do everything and be there for everyone, which can sometimes get stressful. The older I get the more I have on my plate in terms of life priorities, so learning to say no and not undertake so much has been one of the biggest life lessons I’m still trying to master. I’m learning that its okay to focus on one thing at a time. Read more>>

Paulann Egelhoff | Photographer / Designer / Artist

I have to admit that’s something I’m trying to get better at. There are many many days when I wake up and head straight to my desk to work on photos or fliers and the next thing I know it’s time for bed. I’m learning that sometimes it’s okay to go to events and support my fellow artists without bringing my camera. This helps me cut back on the huge volume of work that I set in front of myself while still letting my fellow artists know that I support them. Read more>>

Ria Jupiter + Phire | Ink artist

In my earlier years, from my early 20’s up to my 40’s, I was solely focused on my career. Truthfully, I did not have a healthy work life balance. I thought a lot about how I wanted so desperately for things to change, especially as the years passed by what really resonated with me was the fact that you can’t get time back. For all the long cross country trips, long nights hammering away at getting reports & analysis completed.. just feeling mentally & physically exhausted all the time. These were all pieces of the puzzle that led me to focus on my mental health. Read more>>

Andrea Irving | Novelist and University Professor

When I started working my first “real” job, I was an ob/gyn resident. I was 27 years old, and while it wasn’t my first full time job (I’d had a full time job and a part time side job before medical school), it was my first job in my chosen field. I worked anywhere from 70-100 hours a week. Yes, there are “duty hour” restrictions, but I don’t know of any programs that actually follow them. Someone has to do the work and the work has to get done, so you just work. I met my husband right before I started, and he moved down to AZ from Canada about a year and a half after we met. Read more>>