One of the reasons that people turn to wedding planning as a career is because they’re in search of that elusive work, life, balance.
They want a career that they can fit around their family. They want to take their kids to school, go to sports days and be part of their daily lives.
It’s quite normal now for employers to talk about operating a flexible workplace with great child care options. They’ve realised many jobs can be done virtually. Even more so since the Corona Virus pandemic.
So what exactly is Work-Life-Balance?
Is it a term that’s been invented by someone to make us feel even more guilty than we already do about our hectic schedules? Or is it a term that makes us really think about the choices we make in our lives?
I’m not sure any of us can say we truly have the perfect balance in our life. I’ve always thought that was a bit like the ‘Holy Grail’. Impossible to find.
However, we have more options available to us now than we did 20 years ago.
When I made the decision to start my wedding business part of my reasoning was to allow me flexibility. I knew it would allow me to spend more time at home with my daughter as I grew my business.
By the time I fell pregnant my wedding planning business was doing pretty well. It was the one thing that kept me sane through my pregnancy and for all those months after she was born.
It allowed me to maintain my lifestyle without the pressures of having to be up and out the house by 6.30am and battling the commute.
Once my daughter got to 6 months I made the decision to send her to day care two mornings and two afternoons a week. It was a good balance for me as I was able to get all my phone calls and meetings done whilst she was in day care. The rest I fitted in around her naps etc.
Was it perfect? No, but it worked for me and was definitely better than the alternative. I was in charge of my own day and was earning a good living without having to rejoin the rat race.
Different people need different things
What you need to remember about this type of work is that what works for some won’t work for others.
Working virtually can be a challenge sometimes and you need to be able to work happily on your own without getting lonely.
Of course there’s ways to mix it up a bit. We’ve all become geniuses at socialising online from networking and meet-ups to virtual drinks parties and quizzes.
My family and I hop on Zoom every Saturday to do an online quizz – even my 83 year old parents and it’s been fab.
Once things return to normal though try some alternative office spaces. Grab your laptop and head for the nearest coffee shop and work from there for a while. If it’s a nice day head to the park and take your mobile office. I even take my laptop to the hairdressers.
People watching can really spark creativity too, so you’re killing two birds with one stone. Breaking the boredom of being on your own and hopefully filling your head with ideas at the same time.
I recently came across a great Huff Post article called How To Achieve The Perfect Work-Life Balance. Have a read through it and let me know what you think.
What I can tell you is that for me wedding planning has been the best career for flexibility. It’s allowed me to travel, be there for my daughter and be part of an amazing industry.
To quote Albert Einstein “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.”
If you’re thinking about becoming a wedding planner try our mini starter course. It’s great for deciding if you should take the plunge. Kind of a try before you buy scenario.
