The Balancing Act: How To Juggle Work And A Creative Side Hustle

In the never-ending pursuit of work-life balance, individuals often navigate a delicate dance — juggling the many demands of a full-time job while nurturing a creative side hustle. In this exploration, we share insights on how to balance work and an influencer lifestyle, empowering individuals to thrive on both fronts.

Whenever possible, plan. The key to managing your time is sticking to a concise schedule. Start by accounting for work, school, social, parental, and personal needs. Allow time for each while leaving some wiggle room for unexpected twists and turns. By staying committed to your schedule and remaining flexible, you’ll feel empowered to navigate the complexities of work, education, social interactions, and personal well-being without difficulty. Elevate your strategy plan by utilizing tools crafted for scheduling content and staying on top of deadlines.

As you juggle everyday tasks, be mindful of areas in your routine to leverage for content purposes. Whether you’re dedicated to a fitness journey with a passion for clean eating or have perfected a wash-n-go routine for your textured hair, identify areas of personal interest — aka content goldmines. By choosing topics of interest, you can keep the creative juices flowing, provide your audience with something meaningful, and prevent burnout due to a lack of interest.

“No one starts at the top tier of their work field,” parenting influencer Tina Meeks told CNBC. “You have to try, fail, and try some more to get there. There are thousands of moms, wives, makeup artists, and stylists telling their stories, but none of them are you. Being you is what will set you apart from the pack.” 

Life can be unpredictable. That said, you may have to juggle a busier work week than expected. Here lies the importance of flexibility when facing ebb and flow. Refrain from feeling guilty when/if certain aspects deviate from your initial plan. By recognizing that everything is not in your control, you’ll learn to navigate challenges via a positive approach.

Always keep self-care top of mind. Creating a structured approach to achieving a healthier work-life balance involves balancing two things: designating specific hours/days each week dedicated to you unplugging from work and prioritizing your personal life. By making a point to carve out defined break periods, individuals can create boundaries that contribute to overall well-being. These intentional blocks will also allow you to boost creativity, engage in hobbies, and recharge, which helps to foster meaningful connections with family and friends. As a result, you’ll craft a more sustainable and enriching lifestyle.

“Social media breaks are hard but necessary,” content creator Kelly Uchima told Healthline. “I have no excuse but to take extended breaks more often. I feel more creative and inspired when I stare at my screen less.”

Similar to any side hustle, boundaries are paramount to achieving a healthy work-life balance as an influencer or creative. So what does this entail? You can choose not to overextend yourself — from saying “No” to happy hour after work to declining a project due to your current bandwidth. That said, it’s crucial to understand your goals. Minimize obligations that do not support your goals at work and as a creative. Soon, you may find that you’ve lightened your load.

Balancing work and life as a creator or influencer is challenging but achievable with prioritization, self-imposed boundaries, and scheduled breaks. By adopting these strategies, you can maintain productivity while enjoying a fulfilling personal and professional life. Remember, this journey is demanding but worthwhile. The ability to recognize and invest effort into creating proper balance guarantees immediate satisfaction. In addition, learning how to balance work and an influencer lifestyle sets the tone for long-term success in both avenues.

The author’s content and opinions have not been pre-reviewed, approved or endorsed by Discover.