Midlife Matters: Linda Butler
For years, women have been told the goal was to find “balance” between work, family, and personal time.
Yet, for many of us, this led to feeling like our life was an endless juggling act. Rather than striving for balance—which is challenging to maintain and often leads to frustration—a more modern, realistic approach is emerging: creating harmony. A harmonious life allows all parts of who you are to blend naturally, supporting each other rather than competing for your time and energy.
The Problem With Balance:
The traditional concept of work-life balance suggests we can divide time and energy equally among competing roles. But life is rarely that simple. Trying to perfectly balance work, family, and personal interests often leaves women feeling as though they’re failing in all areas.
In truth, achieving perfect balance in every area of life is an illusion. There will always be work projects, family needs, health emergencies, etc. that require more attention from us at different times.
That’s just life. Instead, consider shifting your focus to creating a life that acknowledges and accepts that you choose your priorities at any given time. Imagine a life where all parts coexist, complement, and support each other, rather than pulling in opposite directions.
“In truth, achieving perfect balance in every area of life is an illusion. “
What Is A Life Of Harmony?
The concept of harmony is different from balance. Harmony is defined as a pleasing arrangement of parts, where each part complements and enhances the others. It’s a blend where elements move together fluidly, creating a sense of cohesion rather than competition.
In a harmonious life, your work, personal passions, and family life flow together in a way that feels natural. Harmony doesn’t require everything to have equal weight; instead, it’s about recognizing the rhythms of your life and allowing each area to take the lead as needed.
For example, think of an orchestra: the individual instruments don’t all play at the same volume or tempo throughout a piece. Instead, each instrument adds its voice at the right moment, creating a rich and complete sound. Similarly, in life, harmony allows each part to find its place in a way that supports the whole, letting you move with grace rather than resistance.
Shifting From Balance To Harmony:
Creating a more harmonious life starts with releasing the idea that attention and energy must be equally divided at all times. Instead, ask yourself: How can I allow different parts of my life to coexist and support each other? Which area needs the most focus and energy right now? Consider what you can let go of temporarily or delegate to give quality attention to one area.
Reflect on your values and passions, and think about how your work, family life, and personal interests can enhance each other. Harmony is about creating flow and recognizing your unique priorities. It’s about giving yourself permission to focus on one area at a time, without feeling guilt or pressure to “do it all.”
Letting Go Of Perfectionism:
Many women have been conditioned to aspire to be the ultimate “multi-taskers”—juggling work, family, and personal needs, all while fearing judgment when a ball drops, or an area of life ends up less than perfect. Midlife offers a powerful opportunity to pause and reconsider this approach.
Ask yourself if living up to impossible standards or fearing judgment is really worth sacrificing personal joy and authenticity. Are you holding on to outdated expectations that no longer serve your well-being?
Embracing harmony in midlife includes a willingness to reset and reconnect with who you truly are. This might mean letting go of roles or habits that feel inauthentic or misaligned with your core values. Being true to yourself, allowing imperfections, and acknowledging your unique needs are essential parts of a midlife reset.
Living authentically isn’t about conforming to the demands of others; it’s about honoring what genuinely matters to you and giving yourself the freedom to live according to your own values and aspirations.
“Embracing harmony in midlife includes a willingness to reset and reconnect with who you truly are.”
Showing up authentically is a powerful way to achieve harmony, as it brings a deep sense of alignment between who you are and how you live. When you release the pressure of being “perfect” and instead focus on being real, you create a life that feels more fulfilling and rewarding.
Harmony and authenticity go hand-in-hand, allowing you to live with greater ease, confidence, and self-acceptance.
Living In Harmony:
Creating a life of harmony means moving beyond the pursuit of balance and embracing a lifestyle where passions, work, and family coexist naturally.
Midlife is the perfect time to redefine how you live— where all parts of you complement and support each other in your own personal version of success. Embrace midlife as a chance to craft a life that aligns with your values, celebrates your passions, and allows you to thrive on your own terms.
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About the Author:
Linda C. Butler, a former HR executive turned entrepreneur and coach, is passionate about empowering midlife professional women to become the CEOs of their own lives. After navigating her own transformative journey following a layoff at age 50, Linda now leverages her extensive corporate leadership experience and neuroscience-based coaching expertise to help women redefine personal success on their terms.
She focuses on uncovering and overcoming limiting beliefs, embracing authentic leadership styles, and establishing healthy boundaries. Her holistic approach ensures a harmonious blend of career, family, and personal health and well-being for a more fulfilling second chapter. Linda’s mission is to inspire midlife women to stop settling and become the architects of the future they truly deserve. You can find Linda here, on Linden Lotus Consulting.
