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Real Work-Life Balance: Four Powerful Practices to Go From Blah and Bland to Bossy and Balanced

The experts and want-to-be experts have convinced women that work-life balance is an illusion.


I call bullshit.


Society doesn’t hold men to the impossible standards women are expected to uphold. Women deserve work-life balance, time, and energy to take charge of their lives, make empowered decisions, and create a life that feels as good as it looks. Balance isn’t a privilege; it’s a right and it’s time to claim it.


Period.


I know it’s easier said than done, but hear me out: women are expected to do it all; juggle careers, family, and personal well-being, without support or work-life balance. It’s time to reject this double standard and demand better.


We deserve a new set of rules. And by “new,” I mean ones that prioritize what truly matters. And Practices that honor our well-being, boundaries, and worth.


For too long, women have lived by rules that were never designed to serve them. Balance, clarity, and confidence are not unattainable dreams; they’re a right. This work is about choosing actions that align with who we are. It’s time to rewrite the narrative and reclaim a life of purpose, structure, and freedom.


Let’s Dive Into the Four Practices That Change Everything

I didn’t create these practices alone, they were shaped by the countless women I’ve worked with, each navigating the demands of a world that expects too much and offers too little in return.


I’ve had the amazing privilege of witnessing their resilience, and their determination to move from overwhelmed and ‘blah’ to balance and boldness.


These practices are a reflection of their courage and the lessons they’ve taught me about reclaiming life on their own terms.


These practices are for you if you’re tired of feeling like life is one endless to-do list, stuck in a cycle of busy but unfulfilled. They’re for the woman who craves balance in her life, clarity in her choices, and confidence in her decisions. These practices are routines at their core. These simple yet transformative frameworks are designed to bring structure and freedom to your days. 


Unlike the hustle culture we’ve been fed, routines aren’t about rigid schedules or sucking the joy out of life. They’re about creating intentional rhythms that give you structure and freedom. Because the chaos, it’s not cute anymore. Routines don’t confine you; they’re the cheat code to showing up for your life with clarity, confidence, and control.


Routines allow us to:


  • Move from reactive to proactive, taking charge of how we show up every day.

  • Replace decision fatigue with a sense of calm and clarity (because nobody needs more stress).

  • Anchor ourselves in what truly matters, even when life feels chaotic.

  • Set boundaries that protect our time and energy and keep the drama out.

  • Build steady momentum without constantly sprinting to catch up.

  • Create intentional spaces for rest, reflection, and growth; guilt-free.


Focus on creating a life that works for you. No apologies. No compromises.



Act 1: Morning Ritual

Start your day on your terms.


Your morning isn’t just the start of your day; it’s your chance to set the tone for everything that follows.


Carve out space for yourself before the world demands your energy. Start intentionally, and you’ll move through the day with focus and purpose.


For years, my mornings were an afterthought. I’d hit snooze, scroll my phone, and rush out the door already stressed. It felt like I was running on fumes from the moment I woke up. This chaos was one of the many factors that led to my eventual burnout that landed me in the ER. 


Everything changed when I gave myself 20 minutes every morning—not for work, but for me. Those few moments of intention turned my mornings (and my life) around.


Choose three simple practices to create a balanced start:


  1. For your body: Drink a glass of water or do some light stretching to wake up your body.

  2. For your mind: Journal for five minutes, jotting down your thoughts, goals, or intentions for the day.

  3. For your soul: Spend a moment in stillness; whether it’s meditation, gratitude practice, or simply breathing deeply.


These small actions create a ripple effect, helping you stay grounded no matter what the day throws your way.



Act 2: Focused-48

Because distractions are a thief.


Let’s be real: the biggest enemy to your goals is your own attention span.

The Focused-48 is your time to lock in, shut out distractions, and dive deep into what matters most. It’s where real progress happens.


When I started using Focused-48, it was out of desperation. My brain felt like a pinball machine with emails, texts, and random tasks bouncing all over the place. Blocking out just 48 minutes for deep, uninterrupted work felt impossible at first. But the results? Unmatched. I wasn’t just crossing things off. I was finally making progress on what mattered most.


  • Prep: Clear your space, close the tabs, and grab what you need.

  • Ease: Spend 13 minutes organizing, reviewing, and easing into flow.

  • Focus: Use the next 30 minutes for focused deep work. 



Act 3: Boss-Up Routine

Own your day before it owns you.


Your actions today are the foundation of your future, so choose them with purpose.

The Boss-Up Routine is a daily check-in to align your actions with your goals. It helps you stay focused on what matters most, like stepping into the role of CEO for your life.


Success starts with intention. Generals map battle plans, and scientists prioritize experiments. Planning is what turns scattered effort into meaningful progress.


  • Start with reflection: What are my top 2-3 priorities today?

  • Write them down. Yes, actually write them. A clear plan clears your mind.

  • Time-block those priorities into your schedule, and stick to them like they’re non-negotiable meetings.



Act 4: Shutdown Routine

End your day with clarity.


Without closure, your day lingers and so does the stress.


The Shutdown Routine is your chance to wrap up the day, reflect, and prepare for what’s next. Think of it as the exhale your brain needs after a long day.


From ancient evening prayers to gratitude rituals, cultures around the world have always ended the day with intention, focusing on rest and release.


  • Reflect: Spend 5 minutes thinking about what worked, what didn’t, and what you learned.

  • Tidy: Clear your workspace or jot down any lingering thoughts. A clean space = a clear mind.

  • Plan: Write down at least one priority for tomorrow so you can start strong.



Start Where You Are

You don’t need to overhaul your life to escape the blah and reclaim your balance. The Balancing Acts are designed to fit into your existing routine with small, intentional changes that make a big difference. No perfection required but just a willingness to start.


Here’s how to get started. Let’s recap:


  • Claim your mornings. Begin your day with three simple actions: hydrate with a glass of water, write down one intention for the day, and spend a few minutes in quiet reflection, movement, or gratitude. This helps you start grounded and intentional.

  • Boss-Up your day. Before diving into tasks, take 10 minutes to review your goals, prioritize your top 2–3 actions, and plan how to approach them. Think of this as your morning strategy session, a check-in to align your day with your bigger vision.

  • Carve out 48 minutes for deep focus. Pick one high-priority task and block off uninterrupted time to work on it. Silence distractions, set a timer, and commit fully. Even one block can create meaningful progress.

  • End your day with a clean slate. Spend five minutes reflecting on what went well, tidying your space, and writing down your focus for tomorrow. This simple act of closure brings clarity and calm.


What You Don’t Need

You don’t need:

  • An entire day to “get it together.” Small steps create big shifts.

  • A perfect plan. Starting messy is better than not starting at all.

  • Expensive tools (though they’re great if you enjoy them!).


What You Do Need

  • A decision to prioritize yourself.

  • Five to ten minutes to start.

  • A commitment to try. Progress, not perfection.


The best time to take back your balance is right now. Start small, start simple, but most importantly, start.


What to Expect and Why This All (Really) Matters

This isn’t just about escaping the blah or adding structure to your days; although those are powerful, life-changing outcomes.


When I reflect on this deeply, I feel in my body and soul that:



Reclaiming your time, your energy, and your balance, is the essence of creating a life you love.



The Balancing Acts are routines designed to help you break free from the gray blah and bring more focus, energy, and purpose to your days. They support you in creating a life that feels intentional and aligned with what matters most.


This work isn’t easy. You’ll face resistance from a culture that glorifies hustle, from people who expect you to always say yes, and from your own inner critic. But every time you take even a small step for yourself, you’re building the life you deserve.



Every moment of intention is a step toward reclaiming the vibrant life you were meant to live.



If you’re ready to break free from the blah and step into a life that feels bold and balanced, I invite you to dive deeper into Balancing Acts. This book is a roadmap to help you reclaim your time, energy, and balance through intentional routines.


Grab your copy of Balancing Acts here: Balancing Acts


I’ll leave you with this:


Blah isn’t your destiny. It’s a signal.

Balance isn’t a luxury. It’s your birthright.

It’s time to take back your life, one act at a time.


Let’s start today.



 

Carla Erskin, Work-Life Balance Coach
Carla Erskin, Work-Life Balance Coach

Carla Erskin is the founder of Bossingly® and the author of Balancing Acts. Bossingly® provides products and services designed to help goal-driven women reclaim their time while creating work-life balance. The goal at Bossingly® is to provide productivity tools and strategies to help you add a little balance to your bossy lifestyle.

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