Work-Life What Now?

Finding Balance Across Life’s Stages in the Marketing World

We can sometimes be accused of seeing “work-life balance” as one of those buzzwords that sounds lovely in theory – but in practice? It can feel like a cruel joke.

Because let’s be honest.

Marketing is demanding.

Life is demanding.

And the idea of achieving perfect equilibrium between Zoom calls and school runs, campaign launches and care duties, side hustles and sanity? For many, it’s less about balance and more about survival.

But here’s the truth: your stage of life does shape how you work, rest, and recharge. And if we want a healthier industry – one where people can thrive at work without crumbling at home – we need to start by acknowledging that “balance” looks different for everyone.

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Why Work-Life Balance Matters (Beyond the Buzzword)

According to Mental Health UK, poor work-life balance is one of the leading causes of stress, burnout, and mental ill-health. In fact:

And for marketers, the stakes are even higher. Tight turnarounds, unpredictable workloads, and the need to be “always on” often mean personal life gets pushed to the margins.

So what does balance really look like – across different stages of life?

Early Career: Hungry, Hustling… and Exhausted?

You’ve landed your first few roles. You’re working late, saying yes to everything, and trying to prove your worth faster than the coffee machine can keep up.

The Challenge: Boundaries. When you’re new, there’s pressure to go above and beyond — sometimes at the cost of your mental health, social life, or ability to switch off.

Top Tips:

  • Learn to protect your time, even if it’s just 30-minute non-negotiable lunch breaks.

  • Find a mentor who can help you prioritise instead of just powering through.

  • Don’t believe the myth that “working more = succeeding faster” – burnout doesn’t build careers.

The Parenting Years: Nappies, Night Feeds, Nursery Runs

Whether you’re managing the chaos of toddlers or coordinating GCSE revision, this stage is relentless. You’re constantly juggling deadlines and daycare, client meetings and calpol doses.

The Challenge: Guilt. Both personal and professional. You feel like you’re always letting someone down – your kids, your team, yourself.

Top Tips:

  • Push for flexibility, not as a favour but a necessity – hybrid working, staggered hours, asynchronous comms.

  • Share calendar visibility to flag your availability (and protect the school pickup).

  • Don’t apologise for parenting. It’s not unprofessional – it’s human.

Marketing leader Ann Hiatt (ex-Google, ex-Amazon) has spoken about the importance of “building a life you don’t need to escape from.”

Midlife Squeeze: The Sandwich Generation

You may be raising kids and caring for ageing parents – all while leading teams, driving strategy, and pretending you know what Gen Z means by “rizz.”

The Challenge: Invisible pressure. This life stage often gets overlooked, yet it’s one of the most overloaded. You’re carrying emotional, financial and logistical responsibilities on multiple fronts.

Top Tips:

  • Delegate like a pro – at work and home.

  • Book proper time off (and actually take it).

  • Communicate openly with your manager or team about external responsibilities – you’re not alone.

Later Career: Seasoned, Strategic… and Still Spinning Plates

Maybe your kids are grown. Maybe you’ve downsized. Or maybe you’re mentoring the next generation while exploring what your next chapter looks like.

The Challenge: Resisting the urge to overwork just because you finally have “space”. Many senior marketers feel pressure to stay relevant by saying yes to everything.

Top Tips:

  • Set clear professional boundaries, even if you’re the boss.

  • Use your position to model balance and advocate for others.

  • Consider legacy: what kind of culture do you want to leave behind?

Remember what Philip Kotler said: “Marketing takes a day to learn. Unfortunately, it takes a lifetime to master.” So take the long view.

Supporting Balance as a Culture, Not a Perk

Regardless of life stage, leaders can help build a culture that respects home life as much as work life. Here’s how:

  • Normalise boundaries: No Slack after 6pm. No “just a quick thing” on a Sunday.

  • Champion flexibility: Not one-size-fits-all, but what each individual needs.

  • Check in, don’t check up: Ask people how they’re doing, not just what they’re doing.

  • Celebrate life events: New babies, new homes, time off – they matter too.

And remember: a balanced team is a resilient, creative, and loyal team.

Final Thought: Balance Isn’t a Perfect Scale – It’s a Moving Target

Work-life balance isn’t a formula. It’s a rhythm. It will change with your life stage, your workload, your energy levels — and that’s okay.

This Mental Health Awareness Week, let’s redefine balance not as a rigid ideal but as an ongoing, compassionate practice. One where marketers can be brilliant at what they do — and still have time for dinner, daydreaming, and days off.

Because life is not just what happens between campaigns. It’s what happens alongside them.