The A to Z English Podcast

A to Z Dear Jack 14 | "Struggling to Find Balance"

Nov 21, 2023

16:10

Dear Jack,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am a 32-year-old woman facing a significant challenge in finding balance in my life. Between work, family, and personal pursuits, I feel like I'm constantly juggling and never truly excelling in any one area.

I have a demanding job that requires long hours, leaving me with little energy for quality time with my family and pursuing my own passions. While I love my job and want to succeed, I can't shake the feeling that I'm missing out on precious moments with my loved ones and neglecting my own dreams.

I've tried various strategies, from time management techniques to setting boundaries at work, but nothing seems to provide a lasting solution. I fear that if I continue on this path, I'll regret not investing enough in my relationships and personal growth.

Abby, I turn to you in the hope that you can offer some guidance. How can I strike a balance between my career, family, and personal interests without feeling like I'm constantly falling short in one area? Your wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Struggling to Find Balance

The expression "pick up the slack" is an idiom that means to take on extra work or responsibility, especially when others are not doing their fair share or when there is a deficiency in effort or performance. It's about compensating for a lack of effort or contribution by others. For example:

"With some team members on vacation, it's essential for everyone to pick up the slack to ensure the project stays on schedule."

In this context, individuals are expected to increase their efforts or workload to make up for the decreased productivity or absence of others.

The phrase "put something on the back burner" is an idiom that means to postpone or temporarily set aside something, usually a project or plan, in order to focus on more immediate or pressing matters. It implies that the task or issue is not being abandoned but is being placed in a lower priority or deferred until a later time. For example:

"I have a big work project due this week, so I'll have to put the plans for the weekend getaway on the back burner and revisit them next month."

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