When it comes to work-life balance, there is no such thing as balance. Some weeks have heavier workloads, while others have more breathing room. Finding time to do good work, pursue passions as you see fit, and find moments for things that bring you joy is the key. As I reflect on these lessons, I can’t help but notice how they parallel my marketing career (yes, of course, marketing is tied to this; I can’t help it; I’m obsessed with what I’ve been gifted to do!). After listening to many mentors, reading many books, testing different methods, and getting them wrong, here’s what I’ve learned about making space for all parts of me.

2025 has already been a whirlwind—a mix of meaningful work, travel, healing, reconnection, and a whole lot of growth. If there’s one thing I’ve learned (okay, re-learned), it’s this: keeping all the balls in the air doesn’t just happen. It’s something I have to juggle intentionally.

Let me take you behind the scenes.

This year alone, I’ve traveled monthly, first to Pennsylvania for a video shoot tied to a media project at work, headed to Oregon for a team meeting, and jetted to D.C. for a conference to better understand an audience I’m building a campaign for. This would be a lot for anyone, but it’s been a stretch for me, someone who is now worried about flying because of all the air traffic issues and flight accidents. And to be honest, my body felt it. Between the airports, long days, and the adrenaline of high-level creative work, I ended up sick for a few weeks. My body said, “Sit. Down.”

So I did.

I re-started being more intentional about listening to what I needed—whether that meant swapping a heavy gym session for a gentle stretch or carving out time for house hangs and dinner dates with girlfriends. I found (and re-found) joy in things like salsa dancing, being outside, and long-overdue catch-ups with friends and family.

It hasn’t been perfect. But these 5 habits have helped me create space for the things I love while still staying focused on my goals.

One Calendar, Color-Coded for Clarity

Everything goes in one place: work, gym, personal time, salsa classes, friendship dinner dates, even potential me-dates. I color-code everything—meetings, deep work, social time—so I can visually assess how balanced (or not) my week is. If it’s not on my calendar, it doesn’t exist.

When I glance at my week and see it’s almost one color, I know I need to adjust. This visual reminder helps me catch an imbalance before I feel it in my body.

Schedule Time to Schedule

Every Monday morning, I carve out dedicated time to plan my week. That includes when I’m working out when I’m resting, when I’m working, and when I’m off. Just like in marketing strategy, planning ahead allows me to move with clarity and focus instead of reacting to chaos.

This intentional time spent planning saves me countless hours of decision fatigue throughout the week. Knowing exactly what needs my attention and when gives me the freedom to be fully present in whatever I’m doing.

Non-Negotiables Are Sacred

Movement is a must—but I’ve learned it doesn’t always have to be intense. Whether it’s hitting the gym early in the morning or opting for a walk and stretch when I’m low on energy, it’s about showing up for myself. I know the non-negotiables that fuel me, and I protect them. For me, these non-negotiables include morning movement and at least seven to eight hours of sleep. When these are in place, I show up as my best self for my clients and my work. Without them, my creative energy noticeably dims.

AI = My Secret Efficiency Hack

Emails and admin tasks used to drain so much of my energy. But I’ve started using tools like ChatGPT and Grammarly to get thoughts out faster and communicate more clearly. It’s helped me save time and mental bandwidth—and just like a strong marketing strategy, it lets me work smarter, not harder.

For example, when I need to draft client communications on days when words aren’t flowing easily, AI helps me get the first version out. Then, I refine it with my voice and expertise, saving precious mental energy for the strategic work that truly requires my unique perspective. What used to take me an hour now takes 20 minutes, which means more time for the creative work I love.

Rest is Productive Too

Rest isn’t just important—it’s essential. I’ve started blocking at least 1–2 nights a week to unplug and breathe. Not every hour needs to be optimized. Sometimes, the most productive thing I can do is nothing. Last Tuesday, I turned my phone off by 8 pm, brewed some tea, and just sat with my thoughts. No agenda, no productivity hack—just being. It’s in these moments I often find the clarity I’ve been seeking on work and client projects or personal goals. Or nothing at all happens but people watching out my window – a pastime that brings me so much joy, and that is also okay!

And honestly, that mirrors great marketing, too. You can’t fill every moment with activity—you need white space to reflect, ideate, and pivot. Without room to breathe, there’s no space for creativity or realignment. Just like I need quiet time to reset, marketing needs space to observe, learn, and adapt.

Why This Matters Beyond Me

When I’m rested and fulfilled, I bring fresher ideas and deeper insights to my 9-5 as a content and editorial strategist for Intel, my brand, and my clients’ brands. Your audience can feel the difference between content created from depletion versus content created from wholeness. The campaigns I develop after a weekend of rest consistently outperform the ones I push through when exhausted.

What you’ll notice is that some of these habits directly mirror the principles of great marketing: strategy, consistency, clarity, and room to breathe. Funny how everything works together, huh?

I’d love to know which habit resonated with you most. What are you already doing? What would you add to this list?

Here’s to a full life—with joy, not just deadlines.