10 Lessons in 10 Years: Be kind to yourself.

As part of our 10th-anniversary series, we’re excited to feature insights from our Associate Director of Science, Jennifer Man. In this piece, Jennifer reflects on one of the most valuable lessons she has learned over the years.

“The most important thing is to find a balance that acknowledges the realities of your life.”

Looking back over the past decade, change management has been the front and centre of my narrative, both in my personal and professional life. Over the past 10 years, I have shifted between multiple roles, used different aspects of my skillset to tackle tasks outside of my comfort zone, and learnt to adapt to completely new circumstances – one of those is being a working mum. Balancing a high-pressure work environment with the emotional weight of “mum guilt” still feels like navigating a constant tightrope and a feeling that no matter how hard I try, I am never giving enough to either role.

I have been sat in the interviewer seat many a time, when candidates use the phrase “work-life balance”. Looking back, I have thrown this phrase around in an interview once or twice too! Is there ever a perfect balance? Surely, the concept of a “perfect work-life balance” is unattainable. My work-life balance is shifting constantly. Year to year, week by week, and sometimes even day to day. If I could turn back time, I would tell my younger self that this is okay! Different seasons of life – career growth, family changes, personal development all have different adjustments. It’s like a pendulum, swinging based on what is most pressing or fulfilling at any given moment.

For me, it was having to set boundaries at work – something that I had never learnt to do outside of motherhood. “If I say yes to XYZ, then what must give?” is a question I have learned to ask routinely now.

In the end, it’s less about finding the “perfect” balance and more about being okay with the fact that balance looks different at different times to different people. Embrace the chaos and focus on what truly matters at that given moment.