Know Yourself.
Understand Others.
Exploring the personal history behind work-life balance choices, one story at a time.
Blog
When the Podcaster is Podcasted
It was so great to chat this week to Lorna McKenna on her podcast “Evolve & Expand” about my blog, podcast, all things relating to the pursuit of balance. This was another first for me: being interviewed on someone else’s podcast. Being the interviewee for a change. I’ve held off doing this for a while,…
Keep reading
The Pursuit of Balance for Working Parents: Attending School Events
Picture this: Your child has been asked to read a few lines in a class assembly. All parents of the class are invited to attend the assembly, which will last around an hour, at the start of the school day. Although your child will only be performing for a short time, you will be expected…
Keep reading
‘A Fine Balance – The Podcast’: Season 2, Episode 2 Out Now
I am thrilled to announce that the next episode of ‘A Fine Balance – The Podcast’ is out now, featuring my guest, Katie Ford. You can listen by following this link, or by subscribing via any of the usual podcast providers. Katie started her career as a vet, yet her experience of burnout on account…
Keep reading
It’s Official! Season Two of ‘A Fine Balance – The Podcast’ is live
I’m delighted to officially launch Season Two of ‘A Fine Balance – The Podcast’! My first guest this Season is the musician and social media sensation Amanda Kaya. If you’re not familiar with Amanda’s music and art, then you should join the millions of others that follow her pages on Instagram and TikTok. In this…
Keep reading
Night Time, My Time
I was asked recently if I’m a night owl. And I emphatically answered yes. I’m at my most productive and creative late at night. With no interruptions. I love the peacefulness of a sleeping house, the phone and inbox free of almost all new notifications to distract me. Especially after a long day at work,…
Keep reading
Goodbye 2022… Hello 2023
As the sun sets on 2022, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on what this year has held for my blog and podcast A Fine Balance. On the blog I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of featuring four full-length stories in my “Work-Life Balance Profiles” series this year. Each one of these articles…
Keep reading
Click here for more blog posts
Interviews
“My Work is My Health”: Finding Balance When Work Comes First – Gilles’ Story – On the Virtues of Working Hard, the Perils of Loneliness, and the Importance of Quality (over Quantity) When it Comes to Spending Time
Work-Life Balance Profile #20: Gilles Dahan (TL;DR heads-up that this is a long blog post! The following introduction provides a flavour of the content) Introduction to Gilles’ Profile References to improving your work-life balance usually allude to reducing the “work” side of the work:life ratio. For example, by taking regular lunch breaks, clocking off earlierContinue reading ““My Work is My Health”: Finding Balance When Work Comes First – Gilles’ Story – On the Virtues of Working Hard, the Perils of Loneliness, and the Importance of Quality (over Quantity) When it Comes to Spending Time”
Finding Balance by Using Time Wisely: Julia’s Story – on Time Management, Choosing Jobs that “Matter” & Advocating for Improved Flexible Working Rights
Work-Life Balance Profile #19: Julia Elmer (TL;DR heads-up that this is a long blog post! The following introduction is a brief summary) Introduction to Julia’s Profile Julia’s story is one of a full-time working mum of two, who considers herself to have an optimum work-life balance of 50:50. This hasn’t always been the case forContinue reading “Finding Balance by Using Time Wisely: Julia’s Story – on Time Management, Choosing Jobs that “Matter” & Advocating for Improved Flexible Working Rights”
“It Doesn’t Have To Be That Way” – Finding Balance by Setting Precedents: Katherine’s Story – on setting work-life boundaries as a legal professional & sharing the workload in marriage
Work-Life Balance Profile #18: Katherine Brownstein Introduction to Katherine’s Profile There are so many ‘work, life, balance’ facets to Katherine’s story that my challenge in writing up my interview with her has been how to summarise them concisely: finding balance in a traditionally inflexible profession; sharing “work” equally in a marriage; the conflicting struggles ofContinue reading ““It Doesn’t Have To Be That Way” – Finding Balance by Setting Precedents: Katherine’s Story – on setting work-life boundaries as a legal professional & sharing the workload in marriage”
“Multitasking Mastery: A Seamless Work/Life Blend”. Adunola’s Story – on finding balance after being let down by an employer & valuing financial independence within a marriage
Work-Life Balance Profile #17: Adunola* Introduction to Adunola’s Profile The subject of my latest Work-Life Balance Profile, Adunola, has got it all figured out: an exact equilibrium between work and home life, which includes holding down a career that she loves while simultaneously being the main carer of her children. How does she do it?Continue reading ““Multitasking Mastery: A Seamless Work/Life Blend”. Adunola’s Story – on finding balance after being let down by an employer & valuing financial independence within a marriage”
“Stay at home, Mum”: Nadine’s Story – on opting out of a career path & valuing a mother’s presence
Work-Life Balance Profile #16: Nadine* You can listen to the episode of ‘A Fine Balance – The Podcast’ based on this blog entry by clicking here. Introduction to Nadine’s Profile Writing a blog about how differently individuals strike a balance between “work” and “life” has brought me into contact with many working mothers from acrossContinue reading ““Stay at home, Mum”: Nadine’s Story – on opting out of a career path & valuing a mother’s presence”
Click here for the full ‘Work-Life Balance Profiles’ series
Giving voice to the multitude of work-life balance possibilities for both men and women.
Celebrating role models from across the working spectrum.
I begin each interview by asking my subject to put a self-perceived figure on their current work:life ratio, and whether they aspire for it to be any different.
Of course, quantifying something this multi-faceted isn’t a science.
But it’s a good place to start for getting to the heart of their story….