Debunking: Work-life Balance💥⚖️

Hey there,

Yoela here, back with the second edition of Anti Status Quo. Grab your favorite drink (I'm sipping on some homemade matcha), and let's dive into some thoughts that have been swirling in my mind lately: the myth of work-life separation & balance.

You know how everyone talks about work-life balance like it’s the ultimate goal of adulthood? Lately, I’ve been wondering if we’ve been approaching it all wrong. 🤔 We’re constantly trying to split our professional and personal lives like they’re oil and water, keeping them in separate lanes. But what if, instead of seeking balance, we aimed for something deeper—something more aligned with who we are? What if we focused on blend?

We’ve been led to believe that work and life should be kept separate to truly thrive—that we need to carve out distinct time away from work to develop personally, build friendships outside of professional circles, and maintain a fulfilling life. But what if that division is holding us back? What if integrating both parts of our lives allowed for greater fulfillment? Imagine your friends being part of your professional world, your work staying focused without needing a hard divide. It could create a more cohesive way of living, where personal growth and meaningful relationships naturally blend with your career.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. Many of my closest friends, people I love and cherish, share similar passions—they’re entrepreneurs, they’re in tech, they’re building something meaningful. It’s hard not to let “work talk” spill into our personal conversations because, for many of us, work is life and life is work. We struggle with the constant pressure to separate the two, to create space for personal priorities outside of what we do professionally. But here’s the thing: we’re genuinely excited to talk about the books we are reading, the podcasts we are listening to, the ideas we are exploring. So why do we feel guilty about blending these conversations? Why are we forcing ourselves to compartmentalize something that feels so naturally interconnected? Does this rigid separation actually serve us, or is there a more fluid way to embrace both without feeling like we’re compromising either?

A few months ago, I found myself in Malibu to check on one of our portfolio companies in LA. Instead of rushing through it, I decided to turn it into a 'workcation.' I started my mornings with a walk along the beach, dove into a few hours of focused work, then spent the afternoons hiking through the canyons with a friend, where we’d inevitably end up "talking shop." Evenings were for wrapping up emails. It wasn’t perfect, but something about blending work and leisure—those moments of inspiration sparked by conversations that didn’t shy away from work—left me feeling more energized and alive than I had in weeks. This experience made me realize that maybe the key isn’t in trying to find some elusive work-life balance, but in integrating both in a way that feels authentic. Instead of seeing work and life as opposing forces, perhaps we can create a rhythm where both flow together, feeding into each other and allowing us to feel whole.

Photo Cred: my friend Lyubomir who brought flowers and captured a beautiful Malibu moment 😊

I'm not saying everyone needs to jet off to Malibu, but that trip definitely sparked some deep thoughts on how we approach work and life. Here are a few unconventional ideas that might make you rethink how you’re living:

1. "Work-life balance" is a myth. The real goal is “work-life integration”—letting your personal and professional worlds blend in a way that feels natural, instead of stressing about keeping them separate.

2. Your environment has a huge impact on your mindset. Who says your office has to be a cubicle? Work from a coffee shop, a park, or even a different city. Go visit that friend—sometimes a change of scenery is all you need to spark new ideas.

3. Success isn’t just about money or titles. It’s about building a life that excites you every day, not just one you’re working toward for the future.

4. Don't stress about keeping friendships and relationships completely separate from your work life. Learn to share ideas and enjoy each other's company without overwhelming conversations with work problems. It’s about knowing when to talk shop and when to simply connect on a personal level.

These ideas might sound different, but they’re key to reducing the grind and building a life you’re truly excited about now—not just when you retire.

Blending work and life doesn't have to be dramatic. It could be as simple as answering emails from a sunny park bench instead of your desk, or applying your project management skills to organize that family trip you've been putting off. Better yet, it might mean pursuing a side hustle that aligns with your passions, so Monday mornings feel less like a drag and more like an opportunity. The key is to stop seeing work and life as competitors and start viewing them as collaborators in your personal growth story.

I'll be honest, I'm still figuring this out. Some days I nail it, others I'm right back in the work-life separation trap. But I'm committed to finding a way of living that doesn't require compartmentalizing my existence 🙃

What about you? How do you blend work and life? I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

Until next time, keep questioning the norms!

Yoela

P.S. we are trying to kill useless networking and get some founders & CEOs together to Brainstorm & Whiteboard though real business problems. Want in? Sign up here :) (sushi🍣 may be involved)