Balancing the Grind with Jessica Lynch, Freelance Writer

Jessica Lynch is a freelance writer, currently working across Rolling Stone, Tone Deaf, The Brag and Don’t Bore Us websites.

1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?

I kicked off my media career at NW Magazine (RIP!) as an editorial co-ordinator before working my way up to digital editor for the website.

After a few years I moved on to Girlfriend and Total Girl magazine as their entertainment writer, and fast forward a few years and I just wrapped up as 10daily’s entertainment reporter (also RIP) and am currently freelance writing across Rolling Stone, Tone Deaf, The Brag and Don’t Bore Us websites.

2) What does a day in the life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?

I’m currently working from home, so my day starts around 6.30am when online to check out the latest articles and anything that have been breaking overnight.

Since I’m currently working on Rolling Stone Australia’s website, I look at any local music, entertainment and culture news that I think may be a great fit for the site.

While I’m meant to wrap up at around 3.30pm, I tend to keep a lookout for anything else happening as well as tracking how well each articles clicking.

3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?

My current role allows me to work completely from home, which is great in the sense that I no longer have to travel two hours to get into the office by 6.30am!

Also, I have my three dogs here who like to be my very lazy interns, which is an added bonus.

Because my workplace and role are both completely different to was six months ago, I’m still navigating the whole work-from-home thing (and still need to set up my office).

4) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?

I think that it’s important to separate work and life in order to maintain that ideal balance (I also say this as I’m writing on my laptop from bed and checking emails after work, so maybe don’t listen to me).

I think it’s certainly different for each person, but for me, I find that when I don’t have some sort of semblance of structure I tend to unravel, so when WFH I think it’s even more imperative to make that divide.

For example, they say your work area and sleep area should be two separate places so you’re able to make that physical differentiation between work and leisure, which is also something I need to work on.

5) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?

Going from waking up at 4 am to travel 3 buses into the city to waking up and working from home has certainly shaken up my work-life balance a bit.

I find that doing small things, like taking a walk around the block or listening to podcasts that promote positive thinking are all simple things you can that can be a positive habit to pick up, especially when you’re prone to negative thinking.

6) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?

So many podcasts! Reply All for great stories based on internet culture, My Dad Wrote a Porno for laughs, You Must Remember This for interesting old Hollywood stories (especially the series about Charles Manson), Matt and Alex’s All Day Breakfast for good interviews and laughs.

7) Are there any products, gadgets or apps that you can’t live without?

TapeACall is a lifesaver when it comes to recording interviews, as well as the website Otter.ai for free transcriptions of said interviews.

Other than that, I’m loving the Down Dog Yoga app, which you can do from home for whatever duration you want. I also love using Rain Sounds app for sleeping.

8) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?

Ariana Huffington, Jacinda Ardern, Sandra Sully and Angela Bishop.

9) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?

Balance is key!

Before you go…

If you’d like to sponsor or advertise with Balance the Grind, let’s talk here.

Join our community and never miss a conversation about work, life & balance – subscribe to our newsletter.