Balanced Academic

Why I started this blog

Grad school is hard – and not just academically.

When I started grad school, I thought “finding balance” meant figuring out how to better manage my time so I could be more productive. The idea of including my own wants and needs in that equation didn’t even cross my mind.

My internal dialogue was always something like, “Once I submit this paper, I’ll find time to go to the gym,” or “As soon as I get through my reading list, I’ll sit down and make a meal plan”. I never considered that these things – rest, movement, good food – could actually be a part of academic life.

The thing with grad school (and academia in general) is that the to-do list never ends. It follows you wherever you go. There’s no “leaving it at the office” when your office is also your kitchen table, and your days have no fixed structure – just an endless stream of deadlines and expectations.

With so much already on our plates, it can feel impossible to add self-care to the list. But when we do? It’s a game changer.

That’s why I created Balanced Academic.

I was tired of being stuck between my drive to get things done and my need to feel okay while doing it. It felt like a never ending battle between my productivity and well-being. There’s a quiet kind of burnout that creeps in when you’re always “on.” Balanced Academic is here to push back.

Like most things that are good for us, I think of balance as a practice. It isn’t something you can just have – it’s something we need to actively choose to do every day.

This blog is where I practice. And hopefully, where I’ll inspire others to do the same.

This space is for the academics who have 87 tabs open and no idea what they had for lunch (or if they even had lunch). It’s my tiny rebellion against hustle culture in academia.

I’m glad you’re here. I hope you stay a while.

What to expect from Balanced Academic

On this blog, I’ll be sharing reflections, practical tools, and personal routines that help me navigate grad school without burning out. This includes productivity strategies and wellness habits that can actually fit into academic life – not just in theory, but in the real, messy, unstructured days we live through.

I’m going to try to keep it as real as I can. I’m not here to pretend that taking five-minute “mindfulness breaks” will make you stress-free. And not everything I share will work for everyone – I’m simply offering what’s worked for me (and for other busy academics in my life).

I love a good hobby and finding free time. I like eating food that fuels my busy life. Movement helps me feel like myself and clears my mind. These are the practices that help me find balance – and they’ll shape a lot of what I share here.

And of course, as an academic (seeking balance), there will also be tips and strategies for tackling your to-do list – not just to get things done, but to do it without feeling completely overwhelmed and totally burnt out.

If this post feels all too familiar and you’re also striving for more balance, you’ve come to the right place.

I’d love to hear from you – whether you have thoughts, feedback, or just want to say hi. Feel free to reach out at balancedacademicblog@gmail.com .