Adulting? Absolute scam. You spend all of your teens thinking that by your 20s you’ll have it all together, and then boom! Suddenly you’re trying to juggle work, uni, friends, relationships, self-care, AND figuring out how to eat something other than instant noodles, like, when did life get so chaotic?
No one told us adulting is just a constantly being overwhelmed. You’re always doing something—from managing deadlines at work or uni to making sure you’re keeping up with friends and relationships to remembering you have a body that needs care and rest. And it’s not just the workload—it’s the emotional weight of it all. Every time you feel like you’re catching up, something else comes along. It’s so much.
Here’s the thing: everyone is struggling with this. We just don’t talk about it enough. There’s no finish line where suddenly you have it all together. The best you can do is keep rebalancing the scales and give yourself grace when things get overwhelming.
My Golden Ratio for Balance
Balance is different for everyone, so instead of pretending there’s a one-size-fits-all solution, I’ll be sharing my super flexible ratio—a guide to help you divide up your time and energy between all the important areas of your life. This way, when life gets crazy, you can adjust as needed without everything collapsing.
Here’s the breakdown:
• Work/Education: 40%
• Relationships/Friendships: 20%
• Self-Care/Health: 20%
• Personal Growth: 10%
• Free Time/Fun: 10%
This ratio is more of a guide than a rulebook. Some weeks, work might take up more than 40%, and that’s okay. The point is to keep adjusting when things feel off.
Work/Education – 40%
Whether you’re knee deep in uni assignments or climbing the ladder at work, this area takes a big chunk of your time. You can’t really avoid it. But don’t let it take over your life. Seriously. You need boundaries so that work doesn’t eat up all your energy. Turn off work emails after hours, put your phone on DND when you’re done for the day, and remember that work can wait. You deserve a break.
If you’re juggling work and school, it’s even more important to carve out time to just exist outside of your responsibilities. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself for it.
Relationships & Friendships – 20%
Maintaining relationships in adulthood is a full-time job in itself. You’re not in school anymore where you automatically see your friends every day, so now it’s about being intentional with your time. Schedule those catch-ups, make time for the people who matter, but don’t feel bad if you can’t be there 24/7 for everyone.
Send a quick tiktok to show you’re thinking of them, voice-note your bestie when you’ve got a spare 5 minutes, and when you can, make time for deeper hangouts. Balance is key here. You don’t have to be a social butterfly all the time—just be present when it matters.
Self-Care & Health – 20%
This is the area most of us drop when life gets busy, but it’s the one we really shouldn’t. If you’re not taking care of yourself, nothing else is going to work long-term. And self-care isn’t just about the aesthetic stuff—it’s sleep, eating well, getting some movement in, and making sure your mental health doesn’t hit rock bottom.
Prioritize your well-being before you feel like you’re drowning. That means making time to rest, saying no when you’re stretched too thin, and making self-care non-negotiable.
Personal Growth – 10%
Whether it’s reading, learning new skills, or just trying to become a better version of yourself, personal growth is important, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You don’t have to be in constant hustle mode. Take small steps—maybe listen to a podcast or pick up a book when you’ve got a spare moment. Growth isn’t about doing the most; it’s about doing what you can when you can.
Free Time & Fun – 10%
Let’s be clear: if you’re not making time for fun, what’s even the point? You need time to relax, hang out, and just enjoy life without pressure. Whether that’s binge-watching trashy TV, going out for drinks with friends, or staying in and having a spa night, fun is a non-negotiable. Life isn’t just about being productive, it’s about living, and you deserve to have some fun in the mix.
When Life Gets Crazy—Adjust the Ratio
Some weeks, work might need more of your attention. Other weeks, you might feel like your relationships need more TLC. The key is to adjust as you go. If you’re in the middle of exam season or a huge work project? Yeah, work might take 50% of your energy—but make sure you’re not neglecting self-care in the process.
Feeling like you’re about to burn out? Cut work back a little and throw yourself into rest and recovery. Life’s always changing, so your balance needs to change with it. Just remember, you’ve got this, and you’re not in it alone.
Good luck girls,
With love
Pretty Please xo