Is Balance a Myth? Probably—And It’s Time To Make Peace With Yourself About It

We hear it all the time: “Find your balance!” as if it’s some mythical treasure hidden at the end of a pristine morning routine. You know the one—where you wake up at 5 a.m., meditate for an hour, sip green juice, and answer emails with zen-like focus, all before hitting Pilates. But if that’s balance, why does it feel like an impossible riddle? If you ask Valeria Lipovetsky, social media powerhouse and wellness advocate, she’d say it’s because balance, as we think of it, doesn’t actually exist. 

 In a recent appearance on Well with Arielle Lorre, Lipovetsky challenged conventional wisdom about work-life balance and explained why it’s low-key sabotaging us. 

The Balance We Think We Want

When we say we’re striving for balance, what we’re really hoping for is a magical equilibrium where every area of our lives—career, relationships, self-care, social life, personal growth, and let’s not forget our skincare routine—is given equal, undivided attention. We imagine a life where we can “do it all” without breaking a sweat. A life where we can be thriving CEOs, effortlessly chic moms, and doting partners, all while finding the time to read an entire book on a Sunday afternoon without falling asleep by page two.

That kind of balance is just another impossible standard dressed up as self-improvement. Instead of liberating us, it’s another thing to feel bad about not achieving. And if you’ve ever felt guilty for dropping one ball while juggling another, you know exactly what we’re talking about.

What Valeria Lipovetsky Says About Balance

 In the episode, “Balance is so triggering to me because it’s not balance—it’s work-life integration.” Lipovetsky says. To her, balance isn’t about making sure everything is perfectly distributed in our lives. It’s about shifting priorities as needed.

Instead of viewing life like a perfect pie chart where each section is equally divided at all times, she suggests embracing the idea that some areas will take precedence while others will step back temporarily. Some weeks, your job will demand everything from you, and your social life will take a backseat. Other times, you’ll be knee-deep in family commitments, and your career hustle might have to pause. That’s normal.

“There’s this constant shifting of where the priorities are today, and where they will be next week,” she explains. Balance isn’t about maintaining an unshakable routine—it’s about flowing with life’s changing demands.

Lipovetsky also acknowledges social media pressure and hustle culture: “A mind full of information doesn’t have space for inspiration. We are constantly putting things out there and consuming at the same time, leaving zero space for original thought.”

In addition, Lipovetsky has strong thoughts on guilt: “I’ve stopped paying attention to the idea that I should be doing everything at once. There’s always going to be something that needs more attention, and that’s okay.”

How to Practice Mindful Balance (Without Losing Your Mind)

So, if “traditional balance” is a myth, what does work? Here’s how to practice a more mindful version of balance without losing yourself—or feeling like a failure.

Accept That Something’s Always Gotta Give

You are not a circus act, and you don’t have infinite energy. If you excel in one area, another might be on pause—and that’s fine. Lipovetsky talks about how she used to worry about being present in every aspect of her life all at once. Now? She knows that’s just not realistic. Instead of forcing balance, allow yourself to flow with your real-life priorities.

Check-in With Yourself Regularly

Balance isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula—you must constantly reassess it. What mattered to you three months ago might not be what you need right now. Maybe you’re in a career-building phase and your social life is non-existent. Maybe you’re deep in new motherhood and can’t even think about work without getting overwhelmed. Take time to reflect on what’s important right now—and permit yourself to focus on that.

Solitude Is Self-Care

Lipovetsky considers  alone time her “love language,” and it’s one of the ways she maintains her sanity in an otherwise overwhelming life. “I demand solitude of myself and others to give it to me,” she says. Whether it’s a quiet walk, journaling, or just sitting in your car alone before heading inside, create space to be with yourself. Sometimes the best way to achieve balance is to step back and breathe.

Ditch the Guilt

The constant guilt over what we’re not doing undermines our peace in what we are doing. Lipovetsky emphasizes “intention, not perfection”—a mindset that allows us to be okay with the natural rhythm of life. 

Know That the Hustle Culture Lie is Just That—a Lie

The pressure to constantly produce, achieve, and prove our worth is exhausting. Lipovetsky admits that she has fallen into that trap before but recognizes that it’s unsustainable. “I kept showing up, and that’s what built my success. It’s not about doing everything perfectly; it’s about being consistent in what matters most to you.”

Bringing It Into Everyday Life

True balance isn’t about perfect equilibrium—it’s about tuning into your needs in the present moment. Some days might be a full-on productivity spree, while others call for binge-watching a show in your comfiest sweats. Neither is “right” or “wrong”—they’re just different seasons of your life playing out in real-time.

Lipovetsky’s perspective liberates up from the pressure to be everything simultaneously. Instead, it’s about embracing the constant shifts, making peace with imperfection, and permitting ourselves to live in a way that feels right—not just looks right.

So, is balance a myth? If by balance you mean a perfectly harmonious, effortlessly curated life, then yeah, it’s about as real as an Instagram filter. But if balance means allowing yourself the flexibility to flow with life’s ever-changing priorities? Then it’s not a myth—it’s just a mindset shift.

And honestly? That’s a whole lot more freeing.