Working in estate agency can be full-on. The pace is quick, the targets are high, and your days often get turned upside down by last-minute viewings or client calls. It’s easy for your personal life to slip down the list of priorities.
Being constantly busy isn’t the same as being fulfilled. What if balance didn’t mean doing less, but doing things differently? What if you could build a life where your career thrives and you feel like yourself outside of work?
That’s the real goal. And the good news? It’s absolutely possible.
Let’s look what real balance is all about. What it is, what it isn’t, and how to create more of it, even in an industry that’s notorious for blurred boundaries.
What Balance Really Means
Balance doesn’t mean splitting your time evenly between work and home. That’s not realistic for most people. It’s about giving the right kind of energy to the things that matter most and knowing that’ll change day by day.
Some days your career will take centre stage. Other days, family, rest, or your own wellbeing will need to come first. Remember, that’s not imbalance, but the reality of being human.
You don’t have to chase perfection. You just need to feel that you’re making intentional choices, not being pulled in all directions by guilt, pressure or expectation from external factors.
Why Estate Agency Makes Balance Harder
Let’s be honest, the property industry doesn’t come with clear working hours. One call, one listing, one client update and your day can change in an instant. That unknown makes it feel like you always have to be “switched on”.
And while estate agency offers flexibility, it doesn’t always equal freedom. It’s easy to fall into the trap of:
- Checking emails at midnight.
- Not taking lunch breaks for weeks on end.
- Feeling like your personal life has to wait until work calms down, even though it rarely does.
Don’t worry, you’re not doing it wrong, it’s just a system that hasn’t always prioritised wellbeing, especially for women.
The Culture of Overworking: A Gendered Issue
For many women in estate agency, balance isn’t just managing time, it’s managing expectations: at work, home and in ourselves. Many of us are balancing parenting, caring for others, or simply trying to do it all. Add all these things together and it becomes mentally exhausting.
When we talk about balance, we’re also talking about fairness. That means workplaces that support flexible working; it means leadership that recognises the invisible weight many women carry; it means saying no to burnout culture.
Spot the Signs: Is Your Balance Off Track?
Sometimes we don’t realise things are out of balance until we’re already in the thick of it. So, here’s a quick check-in:
- Are you always “on” but constantly tired?
- Snapping more easily or feeling emotionally flat?
- Dreading Mondays (or Sundays)?
- Saying no to things you love because there’s “no time”?
If any of this sounds familiar, it might be time to reset, put on the brakes and take some time for yourself.
Realign Your Priorities
What once felt right might now feel draining, but that’s okay. We grow. Our values shift. Our idea of success evolves.
So, ask yourself:
- What matters to me now?
- What am I saying yes to?
- What pace feels realistic?
Start making decisions that reflect the space you’re in now, not the one you’ve outgrown.
Redesign Your Day
You don’t have to completely change your life to start feeling more balanced. Small changes can make all the difference:
- Time block your day depending on when you feel most focused.
- Turn off email notifications after hours and set boundaries with clients.
- Group similar work together, so you’re not constantly switching between different tasks.
- Eat away from your screen (yes, it’s allowed).
Build Your Support Network
No one finds balance alone. Surrounding yourself with people who get it makes a big impact.
At Women in Estate Agency, we’ve seen the difference it makes when women back each other, not just professionally, but personally. From our Facebook community to our leadership training and podcast, support is woven into everything we do.
When you’re struggling, the right community reminds you that you’re not alone. When you’re on top, they’ll be there cheering you on.
What if You’re New to the Industry?
If you’re early in your career, the idea of balance might feel non-existent. You’re building your name, learning the ropes, saying yes to everything. This is the perfect time to establish healthy habits and set the tone for how you want to work.
- Track your energy. What drains you vs what fuels you?
- Ask questions, especially about boundaries, expectations, and how others manage the juggle.
- Find mentors who value balance as well as success.
Reconnecting with Who You are
You’re more than your job title and part of protecting your balance means remembering who you are when the laptop’s closed.
What brings you joy? What sparks your creativity? What helps you switch off?
Maybe it’s gardening, running, walking the dog, cooking, or spending time with the people who really see you. Whatever it is, make time for it. Not as a reward for productivity, but because it matters to stay true to yourself.
Balance and Leadership
If you’re in a leadership role, you’re not just managing your own balance, you’re influencing those around you. When you take holidays, respect your time off, and model healthy boundaries, you’re giving your team permission to do the same.
Lead with intention:
- Take your annual leave and unwind.
- Set realistic expectations around out-of-hours contact.
- Celebrate outcomes, not hours.
When leaders prioritise wellbeing, cultures shift. That shift then benefits everyone. You can highlight this lifestyle commitments by joining the WiEA Charter where we prioritise the support, training and development of women within your organisation.
Balance Beyond the 9–5
Work doesn’t always end when you leave the office. For many, the second shift starts at home: dinners, laundry, kids, life admin. All of this is work too. If you’re the one carrying most of these responsibilities, it’s no wonder you feel stretched.
Balance isn’t just about boundaries at work; it’s also setting boundaries in your home life. That might mean:
- Sharing responsibilities more evenly at home.
- Asking for help when you need it and not feeling guilty about it.
- Creating space to rest without needing to “earn” it first.
Choose Balance on Your Own Terms
You don’t need to do it all. You don’t need to please everyone. You don’t need to burn out before you allow yourself to rest.
Take the holiday. Say no to the 7pm meeting. Turn your phone off. Rest better. Choose balance and you’ll see that putting your needs first can make you more powerful.
At Women in Estate Agency, we’re here for all of it: the wins, the wobbles, and everything in between.
