Season 3, Episode 2 of ‘ A Fine Balance – The Podcast’ – Out Now
There’s a saying that I’ve heard banded around communities of side hustlers that goes:
“Your nine-to-five may make you a living. But your five-to-nine makes you alive“
This certainly rings true for the guest of my next podcast episode, Bettina Jacobs, who also happens to be my friend and neighbour.
The global pandemic provided a perfect storm for Bettina to realise her childhood dream of becoming a professional photographer, a job that she now does alongside her part-time role as a secondary school photography teacher.
Add into the mix that she’s a married mother of three, and it’s not hard to imagine the number of competing demands Bettina contends with on a daily basis. The frantic pace of term-time eases somewhat during school holidays, which explains why Bettina applies two separate work:life ratio figures to describe her balance: one for term-time (70:30) and, one for the school holidays (50:50).
Despite her relentless work schedule, blended together, Bettina’s overall work:life ratio is one that she mindfully crafts and there is no shortage of motivation for her to continue keeping up the momentum. Beneath it all, is a deep-rooted contentment that she is – quite literally – living out her dream.
It hasn’t always been this way. Bettina says that she never intended to be so career-oriented. And that growing up, she “just wanted to be a mum”.
Some examples of Bettina’s photography work. You can check out the full catalogue of her work on her Instagram page @bettinajphotography
In this episode of ‘A Fine Balance – The Podcast’, Bettina describes how developing her passion into a side hustle has afforded her a sense of balance that was previously not in the scope of her ambitions.
Her journey to where she is today is essentially one of self-discovery, a coming of age of sorts. It also recognises the power that a good mentor and a supportive partner can have in building up a person’s confidence, and encouraging them to make the most of their talents.
In this episode, we cover:
🎙️How turning a passion into a “side hustle” can improve your sense of balance
🎙️The balancing act of juggling work and motherhood when you work two jobs and have three children – how does she do it?!
🎙️The evolution of finding balance in a marriage
🎙️The impact that mental health can have on the pursuit of balance
🎙️The importance of not being quick to make assumptions about someone else’s work-life balance choices.
To see the full catalogue of Bettina’s photography, go to her Instagram page @bettinajphotography.