We used to think balance meant doing it all: thriving at work, home-cooked meals, daily workouts, glowing skin, and kids who never lost their shoes. Then we became parents.
Now we consider it a win if everyone is fed and no one cries in the Target parking lot, us included.
Off Instagram, balance looks messier and far more real. Perfection isn’t the goal. It’s about sustainability, something that Better Humans describes as the foundation of happiness.
But what does balance look like when you’re raising tiny people who need you constantly and somehow expect dinner every night?
The Myth of ‘Doing It All’
Social media loves extremes. Hustle harder. Wake up at 5 a.m. Drink green juice. Meditate for 40 minutes. Have children who eat quinoa willingly.
In real life? Balance is making peace with trade-offs. Fast Company explains that many high achievers abandon the idea of a perfect work-life balance altogether and choose purposeful priorities.
Translation for moms: Some days, work wins. Some days, family wins. Some days, the couch wins. And that’s OK.
Balance Isn’t ‘Healthy’ 24/7
We’ve been taught that balance equals wellness. Even wellness can be sneaky.
Earlier this year, BuzzFeed published a story on how many things we assume are healthy, such as extreme dieting or over-exercising, can actually backfire.
Balance is listening to your body rather than punishing it. It’s choosing rest over another workout. It’s saying no to the salad and yes to the sandwich with bread. Real bread!
What Balance Looks Like for Working Moms
If you work full-time and parent full-time, you already know balance isn’t about splitting your day neatly in half.
HerMoney commends working moms who create balance by redefining success. Their focus is on what matters most, and not chasing impossible standards.
Some seasons are career-heavy. Others are family-first. Balance shifts. And that flexibility is the point.
The Pressure to Look ‘Put Together’
Somehow, moms are expected to glow while surviving on cold coffee and interrupted sleep.
Even conversations about aging feel coordinated. Allure’s discussion on Kris Jenner’s ever-evolving appearance points to our cultural obsession with appearing “effortlessly youthful.”
Real balance is letting your face move. Letting your body change. Letting yourself look like someone who has lived.
Small Rituals, Not Grand Transformations
Balance can be a series of tiny decisions. A walk after dinner. Saying no to one extra obligation.
Since going mainstream, cannabis culture is no longer frowned upon. Hollywood stars like Rihanna have openly admitted to consuming cannabis products as a form of self-care. Suburban moms are happy to oblige and host regular “chill” evenings.
Inkster, Michigan, is one of the premium cannabis spots in the U.S. The well-established sector is a mix of recreational and medical dispensaries and cultivation facilities. When visiting an Inkster dispensary, you know you’re going to get the best quality product.
From flower to edibles to concentrates, this Michigan locale panders to every taste. Vibe Dispensaries advises purchasing your products from a well-established cannabis dispensary with years of experience.
Rethinking Alcohol and ‘Mom Wine Culture’
We joke about wine because parenting is hard. Yet, balance requires us to be honest about coping mechanisms.
Recent Stanford research shows that even moderate alcohol consumption has nuanced effects on health. The benefits and risks vary from person to person.
Balanced living doesn’t shame. It informs. It encourages moderation, self-awareness, and alternatives when needed.
When Balance Is Just Survival
If you’re in the newborn phase, equilibrium might simply mean showering and remembering to eat.
Parents.com says that the first week with a baby is an adjustment, not an optimization. This stage isn’t about thriving. It’s about getting through the day, preferably with snacks and a long bath.
A balanced life off Instagram looks like:
- Laughing at your own mess
- Choosing rest without guilt
- Letting some balls drop on purpose
- Redefining “healthy” again and again
- Knowing when to push and when to pause
Instagram Isn’t Real Life
After reading this, you’ll probably go back to scrolling through Instagram Stories and Reels.
You’ll fawn at the perfectly curated feeds from mommy influencers and wonder why you don’t have it so good. The difference is that it’s all smoke and mirrors for the sake of more likes and more followers.
Once the pretense stops, these moms return to their real lives, ones carved out of chaos, sick babies, and moody partners. The aesthetic is a dream that they’ve beautifully packaged and presented to you with a pretty bow.
And believe it or not, they, too, are trying their best to find balance. If you step away from the illusion, balance is doing things on your terms.
