Work-Life Balance & The True Cost of 'Enough'

Hey there, beautiful listeners. Welcome to The Meredith Patterson Podcast—where we live boldly, love deeply, and celebrate the beautiful balance of being a human. 

Today I want to talk about something that comes up constantly in coaching conversations, in DMs, even just in passing coffee chats:
Work-life balance.
And the question that sits right underneath that topic like a stubborn little root:
“How much money do I actually need?”

It’s a big one, and it’s a brave one. Because asking that question honestly? It requires us to challenge a whole lot of what we’ve been taught.

 

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The Work-Life Myth

Let’s start here: we live in a culture that glorifies hustle. It tells us to chase, push, grind, and then—maybe—maybe we'll get a sliver of rest. A vacation. A weekend. A nap.

But here's the truth: balance isn’t something you earn after burnout.
Balance is something you design—intentionally, mindfully, based on what actually matters to you.

We have to stop outsourcing our value to productivity.
You are not your inbox.
You are not your job title.
You are not the number in your bank account.

You are a human being. Not a human doing.

 

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So… How Much Money Do You Really Need?

This is the question that breaks the spell.

We’re told to make more, want more, chase more. But what is “enough”?

And more importantly—what does enough allow you to do?

For most of us, it’s not about yachts and private jets. It’s about:

• Time with your kids or partner.

• Creating your art.

• Travel.

• Living without debt or financial stress.

• Being able to say “yes” to things that light you up—and “no” to what drains you.

So pause with me for a moment.
Think about the life you want to live.
Now ask yourself:
What’s the number that supports that life—not a fantasy life, not an Instagram life—but your real, grounded, beautiful life?

That number is your enough.

And once you know it, guess what happens?
You stop chasing.
You start choosing.
You take back your time, your energy, and your peace.

 

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Redefining Success

Work-life balance isn’t about perfect calendars or color-coded planners.
It’s about redefining success.
Not as “the most I can possibly do”... but as “the life I actually want to live.”

And that looks different for everyone.

For some, it’s a 9-to-5 with weekends free to write that novel.
For others, it’s building a business with boundaries.
For you, it might be performing, coaching, parenting, traveling—or all of it—on your terms.

You are allowed to want financial stability without overworking.
You are allowed to rest without guilt.
You are allowed to choose joy over hustle, peace over pressure.

 

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Practical Tips to Find Balance

Let’s get grounded with a few steps you can take this week:

1. Define your “enough.”
   What’s the monthly number that gives you peace and freedom? Write it down. Get clear.

2. Audit your calendar.
   Are your time and energy aligned with your values? Where can you create more space?

3. Set boundaries at work.
   Yes, even if you’re your own boss! Especially if you’re your own boss.

4. Prioritize joy.
   Schedule it. Protect it. Your life is now, not later.

5. Ask yourself: Is this sustainable?
   If the answer is no, it’s time to adjust.

 

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Your Call to Action

Here’s your invitation this week:
Take one hour—just one—and write out what your dream week looks like. What are you doing? Who are you with? How do you feel?

Now compare it to your actual week.

And instead of judging or shaming yourself, ask:
“What’s one small change I can make to align my reality with that vision?”

That’s how balance begins. With awareness. With intention. With you taking your power back.