Why Work–Life Balance Isn’t About Time — It’s About Energy
- Dr Masi
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 36 minutes ago
If you’re a working mum feeling stretched thin, this might change how you think about balance.
The Science Space moment that changed how I see balance
During the school holidays , my husband and I took our kids to the Science Space at the University of Wollongong (UOW). It’s a science museum that introduces children to science in fun, interactive ways — live shows about flames, nitrogen, and bubbles, mini movies about the planets, and hands-on exhibits that let kids see how science works.
One of the activities we played was an energy conservation game.
There was a model of a house with four control stations around it. Our job was to find energy inefficiencies in the house and fix them to reduce the energy bill. When a room showed a red alert, we had to work out where the energy problem was coming from and what might fix it.
The factors we looked at included household design, maintenance, technology and appliances, and habits and behaviours.
Some solutions were bigger — like installing solar panels. Others were smaller and immediately accessible — sealing doors to prevent drafts, turning off appliances that weren’t being used, or changing when certain things were done, like running the dishwasher later at night or hanging clothes out to dry instead of using the dryer.
What an energy-efficient house taught me about exhaustion
What struck me was this:
Reducing energy consumption wasn’t about doing more.
It was about finding where energy was leaking — and fixing that.
Later that day, as I was working on my upcoming personalised health program, I had an unexpected “aha” moment.
I’ve always been passionate about work–life balance, especially for working mothers. Over the past few weeks, I’d been reviewing hundreds of blog articles I’ve written, surveys I’ve run, and interviews I’ve done. I was looking for patterns — what actually helps, and what keeps women stuck.
Suddenly it clicked.
Work–life balance isn’t a time problem
Work–life balance isn’t really about balance at all. It's not about having more time or better time management.
Work–life balance is an energy equation.
It’s about having enough energy for work and enough energy for life outside work.
Life outside work includes things you want to do for yourself, for or with your children, your partner, your family, and your friends. All of that requires energy — physical, mental, and emotional.
Work–life balance is an energy equation
To visualise this, sit or stand with your arms outstretched and imagine you’re a seesaw.
Your left hand represents work. Your right hand represents life. Your head and body are the centre — the fulcrum.
Traditionally, we talk about work–life imbalance as having “too much work” on one side. The solution then becomes unloading stuff you’ve got on the work side until you tip the balance more in favour of life.
You are the energy generator
However, when you look at work–life balance through an energy lens, something shifts.
You realise that you are the energy generator.
All energy flows through you — down one arm to fuel work, and down the other to fuel life. If energy going into you is low, it becomes harder to sustain either side, no matter how you rearrange the load.
This is why I say we must start with you.
Finding your starting point
The best place to start is by finding out where your energy is leaking most right now.
That's why I’ve created a simple, doctor-designed 60-Second Energy Check to help you find your starting point.
Why burnout happens (and why it’s not a personal failure)
If you’re trying to do more — at work or at home — without actively re-energising yourself, burnout becomes almost inevitable. Burnout is what happens when you run out of energy to do the things you want to do.
Like a car running on fumes, systems begin to shut down. You might keep going for a while, but only essential functions continue. Eventually, you come to a stop. Your car stops not because of an engine failure but because of lack of fuel.
Similarly, burnout isn’t a personal failure.
It’s an energy deficiency problem that requires energy as the solution ( and I don't mean as a drink).
Why doing more makes things worse when energy is low
Yes, some people feel energised by helping others or being with people. There is a reciprocal energy in giving and connection. But that alone is rarely enough to fuel everything we’re asking of ourselves.
You still need to actively restore your own energy.
If you’ve been “meaning to” look after yourself but can’t get traction, the next step isn’t doing more.
It’s starting in the right place.
Start with you
With this insight, I invite you to try on a different way of viewing work–life balance — not as time to be divided, but as energy to be generated, protected, and restored.
Because as a popular quote states: "Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result." So what should we do instead?
As Mary Poppins eloquently said in Mary Poppins Returns:
"When you change the view from where you stood, the things you view will change for good"
So, this year, take a different point of view. Instead of doing more of what hasn’t worked, I invite you to start somewhere different.
Start with you.
It's time to make your success healthy and happy.
Dr. Masi
Health & High-Performance Doctor for Women | HERSELF HEALTH
Disclaimer: This content is general information only and not medical advice. It may not be suitable for you. Please seek personalised advice from your healthcare professional.