We wish we could tell you otherwise, but the truth is that stress is part of the package when you’re working, adulting, and juggling everything in between. Whether you’re running a business, working a 9-to-5, freelancing, or doing something totally unconventional, stress can creep in and make itself at home. As a branding and marketing team working in a deadline-driven industry, we’re not stress management experts (far from it!). But through the hustle, we have picked up a few pointers that help us keep a little more calm and a lot more joy in our lives.
The central thread for us? Work-life balance. It’s not a perfect science, but striving for it has made all the difference.
The Myth of “Balance” (And Why We’re Still Chasing It)
Let’s start by saying balance doesn’t mean everything gets equal time. If you’re working on a big project or going through a busy season, chances are work is going to take more of your energy. And that’s okay! The key is recognizing when the scale’s been tipped too far for too long — and having strategies to gently bring it back.
Balance isn’t static. It shifts, it wobbles, and it sometimes looks more like a dance than a tightrope. But even small moves toward equilibrium can reduce stress in big ways.
A Few Things That Work for Us
Since we’re not handing out professional advice, we’re sharing what we’ve tried, shifted, tweaked, and returned to again and again when stress starts creeping up.
1. Set boundaries (yes, even with work you love).
It’s easy to let work bleed into evenings, weekends, or even your “days off” when you’re passionate about what you do. But guess what? Passion doesn’t cancel burnout. Try setting a clear “end time” for your workday — and actually stick to it. Your inbox will still be there tomorrow, promise.
That being said, life ebbs and flows in seasons. Everybody’s working style, energy, and circumstances are different. For example, some of the insight180 team values having a flexible work schedule in order to be more available for their children, and we all work together to accommodate these “season of life priorities” whenever possible. Deadlines are deadlines, but there’s no real reason the work day has to end at 5pm after a consecutive eight hour work day if another timeline is just as productive.
2. Take micro-breaks.
A game changer in our workday has been leaning into the power of a five-minute or half hour break. A quick walk, a few deep breaths outside, a stretch at your desk — tiny pauses can help you reset in surprising ways. Listen to your body.
3. Make time for the things that fill you up.
Stress tends to crowd out joy. That’s why it’s so important to intentionally make time for the things that give you energy — whether that’s family dinners, solo hikes, or coffee with a friend to share a laugh and a muffin. We shared some of our favorites in Savoring Simplicity.
4. Ask for help (and accept it when it’s offered).
We sometimes forget that we don’t have to do everything alone. Asking for help — whether that’s delegating at work, working together, hiring support, or simply venting to a friend — can lighten the mental load more than you might expect.
5. Log off to tune in.
One of the best stress management tools? Logging off. Step away from the screen. Silence the notifications. Even 30 minutes of unplugged time can give your brain a breather and help you reconnect with the real world (you know, the one with trees and faces and food that isn’t eaten cold at your desk). We’ve found this especially powerful — check out our post on how to unplug to recharge for more ideas.
A Thought from Our Team
Wendy Baird, our president here at insight180, puts it perfectly:
“True productivity stems from a balance of focused effort and intentional rest… As we navigate an increasingly complex, interconnected world, it’s crucial to reevaluate our relationship with work, leisure, rest, and play. Are we simply living to work, or are we working to live? … True productivity isn’t about where you are or how many hours you clock – it’s about finding joy and fulfillment in both work and life. And just maybe, the key to unlocking our full potential lies in the freedom to explore a different way.”
Her thoughts echo some of the reflections shared in Embracing the Work-Life Blur, especially when life and work start to blend more than we expect.
A Team Retreat that Helped Us Recenter
One of the best things we’ve done recently to recharge, reflect, and reconnect was stepping away from the day-to-day for a full-day team retreat.
We kicked things off with lunch and some much-needed catching up — just enjoying each other’s company without a screen in sight. From there, we dove into a powerful session led by a visionary coach, where we revisited our individual core values and how they align with insight180’s brand and purpose. It was a chance to think deeply about where we are, how we want to work moving forward, and what kind of future we want to shape — for ourselves and for the people we serve.
After the introspection came a dose of creativity and fun at Board & Brush in Columbia. We got our hands dirty, made some seriously cool custom pieces (check out a few photos below!), and enjoyed the kind of playful, hands-on time that’s too often missing from regular workdays.
We wrapped up the day over a delicious dinner, swapping stories and just enjoying the moment — not as coworkers, but as friends.
It was the kind of day that reminded us why we do this work together. It wasn’t just productive — it was restorative.
Final Thought: It’s a Practice, Not Perfection
Managing stress and finding balance isn’t about doing it perfectly; it’s about paying attention to how you’re feeling and adjusting as you go.
Some weeks we’re nailing the work-life balance thing. Other weeks? It’s more like controlled chaos. But the important part is that we keep trying. Managing stress and finding balance isn’t about doing it perfectly; it’s about paying attention to how you’re feeling and adjusting as you go.
So if you’re feeling stretched thin, know you’re not alone — and there’s no one “right” way to manage it. But we hope these ideas spark a little reflection and maybe even a small shift that makes your days feel lighter.
You’ve got this.
