Nine to Thrive.

Me trying to decide who I’m going to be today:

If you’ve ever felt like you’re juggling 23 personalities (Split style), welcome. You’re not alone. We all have many identities: student, barista, partner, superhero-in-training. The real challenge? Not burning out while trying to be all of them at once.

So how do you balance multiple identities without losing yourself?

The Many Lives of You

Life is full of roles, and each one is a version of you. Some days, one identity takes the spotlight; other days, another. The challenge is not taking on too many identities. It’s tempting to try to be everything all at once, but when you stretch yourself too thin, you risk exhaustion. Balancing multiple identities isn’t easy, but there’s one tool that makes it possible: time management.

“Until we can manage time, we can manage nothing else.” – Peter Drucker from Leilani Austen’s Blog on time management

Time management is the bridge between all the versions of you. It helps you show up fully for your job, your friendships, your passions, and your quiet moments. So, let’s talk about how time management can help you balance your identities.

Portion Control

Think of life like a buffet. I love piling everything on my plate (new food especially). But, if I stack too much food, it can spill over and I won’t get to enjoy any of it. Your time works the same way. You only have so much “plate space” in a day. If you overload it with work, school, hobbies, side quests, and endless to-dos, you’ll run out of energy before you get halfway through.

Time management is about portion control – deciding what actually gets a spot on your plate today, and saving the rest for later. That way, you can show up fully for the things you choose instead of half-doing everything.

Don’t Let Your Plate Topple

If you overload your plate, it’s going to topple.

That’s why time management isn’t about trying to fit more in, but about making sure what’s on your plate is equally balanced. Tools like Pomodoro timers, alarms, or even simple reminders can help keep your tasks and identities on track. The real trick is deciding where your time goes wisely. For example, I run in the mornings so I don’t have to worry about fitting it in later.

For me, avoiding burnout comes down to two things: protecting my time and filling my plate with things that energizes me.

Fuel > Filler

Your energy matters. Burnout usually happens when your plate is full of filler instead of fuel. In another blog post, Navigating Career Choices in Uncertain Times, I go over how you can get lost in a job that doesn’t energize you. So you must fill your plate with fuel.

For me, that’s exercising, learning, being creative, and hanging out with friends. For you, it might be reading, quality solo time, or binge-watching your favorite show. Whatever it is, give it space on your plate. The things that light you up aren’t extras – they’re fuel.

Flex + Grit = Balance

We’re almost to the end, I promise!

Life happens. You’ll sleep through alarms, work will run late, or a road trip will throw your routine off. That’s okay. Routine is helpful, but flexibility keeps you sane. Take time to recover when things get messy.

Determination keeps you moving forward when it’s tough. Sports taught me that success is about consistency, not just talent. That same mindset applies everywhere: finishing projects, staying on top of classes, keeping relationships strong, and making time for fun. When you’re adaptable and determined, no curveball will knock your plate over.

The Three Keys to Balance

To balance your identities, you must focus on:

• Time Management – don’t let it manage you
• Adaptation – roll with the curveballs
• Determination – stick with what matters, even on tough days

Balancing all your “selves” comes down to making smart choices about what goes on your plate. Protect your energy, prioritize what fuels you, and stay flexible when life gets messy.

So, what’s on your plate right now? 🍽️ Take a moment to check in with yourself: what’s fueling you, and what’s weighing you down? Drop it in the comments if you feel like sharing!

Thanks for sticking with me. Until next time,

Callie 💗