Is Life Balance a Lie?

5 Beliefs That Keep You Stuck in Overwhelm

Have you ever said, “I want more balance… but my life just doesn’t work that way”?

You’re not alone.

Many of us crave more ease, alignment, and space—but we’re also carrying old beliefs that make balance feel just out of reach. Those beliefs didn’t come out of nowhere. Most of us were raised to value busyness, productivity, and self-sacrifice. So when we think about balance, we’re often looking through a lens that says: “If I’m not doing everything, or everything for everyone, I’m failing.”

But balance isn’t about achieving perfect control. It’s not a finish line.

Balance is movement. It’s fluid. It’s a mindset.

It’s about coming back to center again and again—even if it looks different every day.

Let’s gently unpack some of the most common beliefs that keep people stuck, and what might shift if we let ourselves rethink what balance really means.

1. “I don’t have time.”

This belief is usually the loudest. Life is full—between work, family, the endless mental load, etc., time feels like a rare luxury. But balance doesn’t require huge blocks of time. It often starts with what we unlearn about how we spend our time.

Try this reframe:

Instead of thinking, “I need to do more [fill in the blank] every day,” ask, “What needs less of me today?”

Balance lives in the adjustments, not the additions. It’s not always about doing more—it’s often about doing less. It’s about reallocating space, time and energy, but more intentionally.

2. “Balance isn’t realistic.”

If you’ve believed this, you’re not alone. Hustle culture taught us that burnout is a badge of honor and rest is something we “earn.”

But balance doesn’t mean everything is perfectly even or under control.

Balance is about alignment.

It’s about noticing what matters right now and being flexible enough to shift as life shifts.

Reframing thought:

Balance is not static—it’s responsive and fluid. It’s not about “doing it all.” It’s about feeling whole in the midst of it all.

3. “I’ll focus on balance later.”

Ah, the familiar “someday” trap…

“Once this season is over, once things calm down, once I catch up, maybe on January 1st of next year…”

But life rarely slows down on its own. If we want to live with intention, we can’t keep waiting for the perfect moment. Otherwise, we stay in burnout mode.

Mindset shift:

Balance doesn’t come after you fix everything else. It comes when you decide to relate to your life or your situation differently, even in the middle of the mess.

Small steps, small shifts. That’s where real change begins.

4. “My job/family/life won’t allow it.”

I’m not saying that life isn’t really demanding. Sometimes life is nuts! And no, I’m not telling you to go change your whole schedule or take a two-week vacation. But often, balance starts with reframing what’s possible in small ways.

Can you loosen one expectation? Ask for help in one place? Create a 10-minute window of space with no guilt?

Balance meets you where you are.

It doesn’t demand that you create a different life—it invites you to have a different relationship with your life.

5. “I feel guilty putting myself first.”

Ok, this one runs deep, especially for me.

I’m guessing it also does for those of you who are caregivers, leaders, people-pleasers, and anyone conditioned to believe their worth comes from how much they give.

But here’s what I want you to know:

Prioritizing your needs is not selfish—it’s foundational.

When you tend to yourself, you show up more fully, more clearly, and more sustainably for everyone else.

Reframe:

Making time or space for your own needs isn’t a luxury—it’s a leadership skill. It’s a kindness to everyone you serve and love.

The Heart of It All: Balance Is a Practice, Not a Destination

Creating more balance in your life starts with mindset—not a perfect schedule.

It starts with:

• Questioning the stories that keep you stuck.

• Letting go of either/or thinking.

• Being flexible.

• And remembering: balance moves with you.

Every day is a chance to come back to center. It might not look the same each time—but you get to choose what feels aligned, true, and supportive in this moment.

You are allowed to feel good. You are allowed to shift. You are allowed to grow.

Do any of the beliefs above about balance still stick with you? Do you have a reframe you would like to share? Please do so in the comments below! I would love to hear from you.