I had a moment of realisation recently that I’ve been putting more pressure on myself than necessary.

It’s been an intense period for work, which isn’t unusual in itself. If anything, I think it’s more down to the fact I’ve been on a sustained run without a break.

Every so often I’m stopped in the street by a fundraiser asking if I’d consider making a monthly donation to the charity they represent. It’s no doubt a situation most of us are familiar with. Sometimes you’re genuinely in too much of a rush to stop, however we’re often prone to avoiding fundraisers or suddenly finding great interest in our phone screens.

I sense that many of us face personal battles that sit under the surface, quietly running in the background of our lives day by day. They’re invisible from the outside looking in, with probably only a select few aware of your vulnerabilities and the challenges you’re carrying.

The topic of work/life balance is an interesting one. It’s a phrase we use frequently, often as a starting point for conversation, yet not necessarily pushing far enough into the detail. We raise it, nod along in agreement that we probably haven’t found it and then move on as if the very meaning is self-evident.

But is it?