Balancing Parenthood, Business, and Learning: Still Figuring It Out

If there’s one word that describes my life right now, it’s “juggling.” Between being a new parent, running businesses, studying psychology, and trying to maintain some semblance of personal growth, balance often feels like a distant concept. It’s not something I’ve mastered or even come close to perfecting. Instead, it’s a work in progress—one I’m constantly tweaking and reevaluating.

This isn’t a guide or a list of solutions. It’s simply a reflection on what I’m trying, what’s working (sometimes), and what’s still a challenge.

The Challenge of Wearing Many Hats

Before becoming a parent, I thought I understood what it meant to be busy. But parenthood introduced a level of unpredictability and responsibility that no amount of time management could fully prepare me for. At the same time, my businesses like Cees Diamonds and Nafseeti require attention, and my studies demand focus. Add in side projects like Oghneeti, and it’s easy to feel stretched thin.

The biggest challenge for me has been figuring out how to switch between these roles without feeling like I’m failing at one while focusing on another. For example, if I’m studying, I sometimes feel guilty for not spending that time with my son. And when I’m with my family, there’s a part of me that wonders if I should be working on my business instead.

Experimenting with Balance

While I’m far from having it all figured out, I’ve been experimenting with a few approaches to create some sense of balance. Here are some things I’ve been trying:

1. Prioritizing Flexibility Over Perfection

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that rigid schedules don’t always work for me anymore. Parenting, in particular, comes with so many unexpected moments—a nap that doesn’t happen, a milestone that deserves celebration, or just a moment when your child needs you. Instead of sticking to a strict plan, I’ve started prioritizing flexibility.

Some days, this means shifting tasks around or letting go of non-essential items on my to-do list. It’s not always easy, and I still catch myself feeling frustrated when plans fall apart, but I’m learning to adapt.

2. Creating Small Rituals

Finding time for myself has been tricky, but I’ve discovered that small rituals can make a big difference. Whether it’s taking five minutes in the morning to enjoy a cup of coffee or spending a few minutes reflecting quietly in the evening, these little pockets of time help me reset. They’re not grand gestures, but they remind me to pause and breathe.

3. Involving My Family

One of the ways I’ve tried to ease the tension between work and family time is by involving my son (as much as possible) in small moments of my work. For example, he watch as I brainstorm ideas on my laptop. It’s far from perfect, but it helps me feel like I’m not completely separating work from family.

Celebrating Small Wins

In the midst of all the chaos, I’ve started to recognize and celebrate the small wins. These could be as simple as finishing a chapter in my coursework, having a meaningful conversation with my wife, or hitting a small milestone in my businesses. They’re not grand achievements, but they remind me that progress, however small, is still progress.

What I’m Still Figuring Out

Despite these efforts, there are still plenty of things I’m working on. For one, I’m still learning how to let go of guilt—whether it’s guilt about taking time for myself or guilt about not “doing enough” in one area of my life.

I’m also trying to be kinder to myself on days when things don’t go as planned.

Final Thoughts

I’m learning to appreciate the process, to find joy in the small moments, and to keep experimenting with what works.

If you’re navigating a similar path, we're all still figuring it out.