By WLP Coach: Andrea Schwarz
I remember the day vividly. The guilt was creeping in, as it often does. I was on a cross-country business trip to British Columbia, another in a long series of flights that took me away from my family and added another layer to the familiar weight on my shoulders. But instead of opening my laptop to grind through more work, I picked up a book—a rare act of rebellion against my packed schedule.
I’ve always loved reading, but in the chaos of career, family, and life, reading had fallen by the wayside. As I turned the pages, something unexpected happened: tears started streaming down my face. The words were raw and real, speaking directly to women like me—stretched too thin and grappling with the impossible standards of work-life balance.
That moment became a turning point.
Why Work-Life Balance is a Hurtful Myth?
As women, especially in leadership, we’re constantly navigating a minefield of roles and expectations. We’re professionals, partners, mothers, daughters, and community members—all at once. And yet, there’s this persistent question that hovers like a cloud:
How do you balance it all?
Here’s my truth: I don’t. And I don’t believe anyone truly can.
Work-life balance, as it’s sold to us, is a myth that sets women up for failure. It implies there’s a perfect equilibrium we should all strive for, a magical point where career, family, and self-care seamlessly align. But life isn’t static. It’s dynamic, unpredictable, and messy.
Some days, you’re fully present for your family; other days, you’re all in at work. And that’s not failure—it’s life. Balance is brittle. It implies perfection and rigidity. What we need instead is harmony—a fluid, adaptable way to align our values and priorities without striving for impossible perfection.
What is Work-Life Harmony?
Work-life harmony isn’t about splitting your time perfectly between work and life. Instead, it’s about creating a rhythm that feels right for you. It’s about:
Prioritizing what matters most: Recognizing that some seasons require more focus on work, while others demand attention at home or for yourself.
Accepting imperfection: Harmony allows for flexibility—it understands that “perfect” doesn’t exist.
Living with intention: Choosing how to spend your time in ways that align with your values, passions, and goals.
Unlike balance, harmony acknowledges that life will always be in flux. It’s about weaving together the different parts of your life in a way that feels fulfilling and sustainable, rather than equal and perfect.
The True Foundation: Self-Care and Self-Compassion
On that flight, the book I read didn’t just give me permission to let go of the work-life balance myth; it reminded me of the power of self-care. And not the surface-level self-care of spa days or bubble baths (though those have their place), but the deep, intentional act of honoring your well-being.
Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s essential.
As women leaders, we often feel the pressure to give endlessly to everyone around us—our teams, our families, our communities. But here’s the truth: you can’t pour from an empty cup. When we prioritize our emotional, physical, and spiritual health, we show up better for everyone else.
Work-life harmony starts with self-compassion. It’s about embracing who you are, what you need, and what truly matters to you—without guilt or apology.
Thriving Through Harmony
For me, harmony means letting go of unrealistic expectations and focusing on what feels right in the moment. Some days, that looks like diving into work with passion and purpose. Other days, it means stepping away to be fully present with my family or simply taking a walk to recharge my soul.
Harmony doesn’t come from getting everything right—it comes from honoring your own rhythm.
So here’s my message to women in pharma—and beyond:
Let go of the guilt.
Stop chasing the illusion of balance.
Embrace the beauty of imperfection.
You’re not defined by how well you balance everything; you’re defined by your ability to live authentically, lead courageously, and align your life with what truly matters.
A Call to Action
To my fellow women leaders: Let’s stop asking each other how we balance it all and start asking, What does harmony look like for you? Let’s support each other in crafting lives that reflect our unique values and priorities.
Because we don’t need balance. We need harmony—fluid, imperfect, and deeply personal.
When we embrace harmony, we stop living for an impossible standard and start thriving in a way that feels authentic, purposeful, and sustainable. And that’s a message worth sharing.
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