1. For every individual, achieving work and personal life balance a great challenge.

What are the

challenges you face in achieving a work-life balance?
2. How often do you feel overwhelmed by the demands of your work and personal life?
(Frequently/Sometimes/Rarely/Never)
3. Could you share instances where you feel overwhelmed by the demands of work and personal
life?
4. What are the primary sources of stress or conflict, if any, in your marriage?
5. How often do you experience stress or anxiety related to your work or personal life?
(Frequently/Sometimes/Rarely/Never)
6. What are the main challenges you face in balancing your parenting responsibilities with your
work commitments? Does it cause a lot of stress for you,if any?
7. How has the transition been from a daughter to a wife, then from a wife to a mother?
8. How do you get along with your in-laws? What are the challenges you experience in the
context of these relationships?
9. How is your experience at the workplace? Do you feel satisfied with your current Career
progression? (Yes/No)
10. What are the main challenges you encounter in advancing your career?
11. What are the coping mechanisms and strategies that you have been using to tide over your
challenges? How is your support system?
12. Is there anything else you would like to share about your needs/challenges/stress/or conflicts?

Codes:
1. Challenges
2. Stressors/ stress
3. Conflicts (marital, in laws, workplace)
4. Transitions/ changes
5. Career progression
6. Coping mechanisms
7. Support system
8. Parenting responsibilities
9. Feeling overwhelmed
Particpa Challenge Stressors/ Conflicts Transition Career Coping Support Parentin Feeling
nts s stress (marital, s/ changes progressio mechanis system g overwhelm
in laws, n ms responsi ed
workplace bilities
)

MK1 time Safety of I am Reading, my Understa Sometimes

managem kids, their Different physical content by listening parents’ nding . As I’m
ent, source of thought challenges the career to music and kids daughter matured
Commitm information process, , new progressio and are my s so no and
ent in different environm n, talking to greatest conflict, working
office and parenting ent, though family, support. don’t experience
house style. motherho Age smiling a My mix
responsibi od was barrier is lot, mother work and
lities beautiful there, making in-law personal
supportin jokes loves me life.
g the like a
environm daughter
ent at the
workplace
.

MK2 Health High I am Make Husband - Feel

Time issues expectatio Increased satisfied schedule helps me overwhelm
managem (fertility ns from responsibi with the to when my ed during
ent, issues) in-laws lity after career complete work load workload
physical marriage progration work on increases.
issues due . time
to the
workload

MK3 Family Not increased Comparis read ,There Not No girl has
lack of fuctions, getting expectatio on of horror and like a meeting the innate
experienc taking care support, ns and duration romantic pillar for daughter talent of
es about of in-laws not giving responsibi of work, books, me expectati being a
household and work at time to lity after male talk to ons lead mother or
work, the same each marriage dominanc someone to guilt wife. It
increased time. other, e, or myself, takes time
responsibi Lack of underesti Problems to learn it.
lity after understan mate, arise due Till then
marriage ding, to everything
 and child mother improvem feels
in-law ent in overwhelm
orthodox technolog ing.
and y, positive
religious mindset.
mindset

MK4 Waking Sometimes. increased There is a Create they are I’m able I feel like
up early Due to Differenc house limited new very to give giving up
to manage minor es in work after scope, if recepies, helpful, enough on classes
things is conflicts temperam marriage you are in listen to mother time to and just
exhauting but i don’t ent and and one field marathi in-law kids. focusing
. give thought especially you can’t songs, treat me on
attention process. after go don’t hold like her household
Taunt pregnancy somewher onto daughter work. If
from . e else. things. such
sister thoughts
in-law in come, I
not being feel more
able to irritated
manage
child and
household
work

Challenge Stressors/ Conflicts Transition Career Coping Support Parentin Feeling

s stress (marital, s/ changes progressio mechanis system g overwhelm
in laws, n ms responsi ed
workplace bilities
)

SM1 Pending Sometimes. No issues College- Yes I am complete My I Rarely.

work Work-relate in that sense of very my work husband, maintain overwhelm
d, area as responsibi happy on time my father the ed due to
balance
managing well lity about with that before it in law, my my school
well.
that with my career. as well. gets too son and work.
my work, After Teaching much;
 Exam marriage, experienc takes my 2
related yes e, student adequate sisters.
stress responsibi relationshi naps
lities p is good during the
increased day
and also
after
becoming
a mother.

SM2 coping pressure No major Lethargy The salary Doesn’t My Lack of Frequently.
with the from work issues as in work is not let my family, attention can’t
situation organisation such. due to much , the personal my to her manage
and my ; after I would health job has life affect husband son, everything,
health fulfilling all have issues, higher job my work and Feels a burden of
struggles, professional appreciate Before satisfactio life, find in-law, that if expectation
anxious responsibili da marriage- n, solace in My elder she had s, the
about my ties return helping no everythin work, sing sister. not been responsibili
child’s to home, hand responsibi g is songs, working ties of the
academic My son’s around the lities, according dance, , it would various
progress, studies and house. didn’t to my wants to have roles , the
attend travelling MIL even step convenien practise been expectation
meetings conservati into the ce, very meditatio better for s that I
and ve- there kitchen; happy n her, the have set for
seminars is a too with how travellin myself.
is time difference emotional. work life g time
consumin in After has gets in
g and mindset. marriage, progresse the way.
sometime conservati the d.
s ve side. responsibi a very
frustration She has lity was good
gets certain gradually experienc
displaced expectatio handed . e, at my
on the ns. After my previous
family father’s workplace
members death, I - I wasted
took firm 2 years of
decisions my career.
and acted
on them.
 Gained
maturity

SM3 During Anxious or Husband childhood worked at very much Daughter Children Frequently.
exam worried not wife: and before 5 places spiritually is feel that Especially
periods so much, conflicts marriage: Experienc inclined; understan mom in the exam
ding and
for both but stressed especially nice and e as the inner does not periods; If
helps
the kids definitely. in the way smooth; substitute engineerin around the have one work
exam as One of the we both after teacher g house and time for increases,
well as in reasons- my think; as marriage: and programm office them, the other
my temperame husband take assistant e which is responsibi feels remains
college nt. and wife charge of professor organised lities as guilty incomplete
collided, Additional for him everythin in 2 by the well. that she ; cannot
Husband
manage responsibili work is g along engineerin Isha can’t follow
and son
both the ty in office: worship, with the g colleges foundatio too attend to schedule;
teaching when he is cooking, was very n, them health
responsibi supervisors completel transition enriching. bhajans properly. issues that
lities and don’t show y devoted to Urban to on my interfere
the office up, to his village’s rural shift phone, with the
work, , internally work. style of was nice. yoga, schedules.
don’t get panic when In laws: living, 4th job - started
a lot of new there is a traditions, teaching following
time for situations generation rituals, as a Sadhguru
myself come up, al gap and secondary started
and Not being between festivals; teacher at doing
balancing able to do my views also Badlapur yoga, it
work life things my and my transition High really,
demands , way and in-laws from school really
timing is when that views; nuclear to was not a helped me
the main does not there is a joint very good to find
issue, happen, big gap family. experienc inner
Time is gets there. e because peace and
the irritated and Father-in- of the inner
biggest stressed. law: no shift from happiness.
challenge conflicts degree
now, for MIL: College to
the past 2 Difficulty secondary
years, has in school
realised adjusting. and shift
 this issue; The major from
not being reason for English
able to this is the medium
give time difference to marathi
to her of medium.
parents opinions, Two
feels highlights
regret that : number
cannot do one is that
things her the shift
way even of that
after so experienc
many e from
years of junior
marriage; college to
when our higher
in-laws secondary
lived school
separately, was
things difficult,
were number
better. two is that
Politics in my
the current
previous job where
workplace I am a
. more
responsibl
e person
and not
only just a
teacher.

SM4 Managing Frequently. The Before I am very Don’t The Due to Sometimes
all the the woman husband is marriage: happy bring that support overtime , faced
responsibi gets given relatively with how into my system is and with a lot
lities; relaxed travellin of
targeted in concessio my career home; very
difficulty because g time, competitio
in staying the house; ns from has spend strong not being n in the
little chores there progresse time with too. My
physically able to office,there
and incidents when he weren’t a d; even my son, husband, give was a
mentally that pile up comes lot of took a talk to my more situation
healthy, cause stress home; this responsibi break of 2 him about parents, time to where my
work for me compariso lities. years for what all my son her son. colleague
pressure, No had
n between After my son, happened and my
time matter resigned
managem husband’s marriage happy in his day, in-laws. and I was
how tired
ent, job and the with that also talk Both my relatively
I am, I
travelling her job; responsibi decision with my in-laws new there,
2 hours have to so all the
arguments lities too; there entire were
for work, sit with work load
; male ego definitely is politics family working
not being him and fell on me
gets hurt increase everywher and relax individual
able to get out of
sometime by a lot, e and the with s. They
give time everythin nowhere.;
to her s; but periodic them; take know the hear taunts
g done
son; not In laws- nothing changes out time hassle of at home
so that
getting there is a difficult are bound to take travelling about
angry in his working
generation as such. to happen; care of everyday
train, academic till late and
al gap in There are no myself- and
hectic record not paying
our conflicts challenge self care understan
schedule doesn’t enough
thinking; but in like d me.
get attention at
they are doesn’t let advancing exercising home; in
affected
more them the career , Skin care laws
in any
spiritually grow as such routines constant
way. comparison
inclined; bigger and all
Son, too,
it’s
expects
difficult
his
for me to
mother
make
to spend
them
time with
understan
him.
d my
point of
view
SP1 Time Job In-laws at No added Doing Conversat - - -
managem demands, times pressure further ions,
ent, long struggle education being
planning, working with to get a adaptable
spending hours, change, better job, to change,
time with effect on exchange not crying,
my health, of enough letting
partner, effect on thoughts, time to things out,
juggling sleep and study talking to
between sleep my
work and schedule, partner,
household trying to asking
chores understand him to
what the give me a
in-laws different
want, lot of perspectiv
thoughts e, trying
constantly by myself
on my to look at
mind, things
cannot from a
concentrate different
on one task point of
view,
eating
sweet,
meditatio
n,
sleeping,
watching
a movie

SP2 Househol Clients call Family Unlearnin Not Sit alone Really Quite
d chores, at any point pressure, g a few satisfied with my supportive often, too
in-laws’ during the behaviour things to with the thoughts, in-laws, much on
health day, of the get into current spend open-min my plate,
issues, no extremely family this package, time with ded time is
breather demanding members, family, expected myself, in-laws, never
between job, taking a bit took time appraisal talk to my sweet enough,
work and care of the orthodox to realise months mom, people, too many
household niece, father-in-l this is also ago, listening smart thoughts
chores, different aw, my trying to to music, mother-in on the
working upbringing father-in-l family, find a bit watching -law, a mind, not
from than the aw trying adjustmen relaxed series, husband finding
home, in-laws, to control ts job getting who time for
cannot changes in the little profile, out of the stands up myself,
delegate my things looking house, for me, a losing a
my tasks behaviour, a for a job talking thoughtful sense of
to lot of with less with husband who I am,
someone forethought stress, friends. no time to
else at the before looking spend time
job, being reacting, for a job with
available forethought that would myself and
for the before help me doing
clients at talking move out things that
all times, about of the I used to
not being anything, society love,
able to very social suffocation
take care family,
of my constantly
parents, want to
not being spend time
able to together, no
talk to my time with
parents, the
time husband, a
managem need to be
ent, never liked, task
having managemen
time for t issues,
anything, doing more
stressful at the job
job, no and getting
time with paid less,
my have to be
partner, cautious
taking about every
time out action,
to learn
something
new, hard
to take a
break,
responsibi
lities as a
married
woman,
difficult
to take a
break
 from
working
and going
back to
learning
now with
this added
responsibi
lity

SP3 Juggling, Parent’s Cousins Wasn’t Happy, Communi Supportiv Don’t get
no energy health, being out easy, joint never had cation, e to attend
post nature of of station family till any conversati husband, my clinic,
work, in-laws, and 2 years specific ons with a partner often, not
in-laws’ unable to ago, plans but husband, who able to
temperame help me in mentally this going learning listens, come home
nt being taking tiring, better than to cope supportive early
different care of physically ever with parents
than my my tiring, imagines, stress,
parents, parents, juggling credit to financial
orthodox juggling between my freedom,
expectation between the husband, satisfactio
s, things I responsibi helps at n of
have to lities of my contributi
attend to parents clinical ng to the
and practice, expenses
in-laws, workload of the
stressful, is household
compromi immense, ,
se very tiring supportive
and parents,
stressful watching
videos,
ordering
food when
tired,
learning
to react
less,
making
changes in
myself
S1 Being Sometimes. Husband- Being Very Accept biggest Don’t Sometimes
able to Especially wife: from a satisfied, things as support mix , because
manage during conflicts muslim enjoy my they are, systems work and of school
time, paper on not family, work, and want to are my work.
personal
spending correction- being able restriction very open, continue husband,
quality board and to spend for comfortab to learn my father, life,
time with otherwise, quality women le with and grow, my don't get
my very tight time with but my colleagues improve, colleagues to spend
children deadlines, each husband . Want to doing , principal all the
and about other. No has been keep up things for ma’am. time with
husband 300-350 conversati very with all self-satisf Through kids,
board ons as supportive the action. every
daughter,
papers to such on . I share a technologi situation,
check in 3 weekdays. great bond cal good, bad only 6 -
days during Disagree with my transitions my uses bad
the time of ments father too. . husband language
Ramadan with Motherho Expecting always by , feels
fast in-laws od has Guidance my side my fault
sometime been an and that i’m
s. Just absolutely training
not with
because wonderful programs
they take experienc to upgrade her when
care of e. myself so she goes
my kids i can out, feels
doesn't apply and like I
mean that integrate lacked
they can it in our
somewhe
say teaching
anything methods. re in
and I will inculcati
follow. ng good
Generatio values in
n gap. No my kids.
issues at unable to
the
complete
workplace
. her
projects
because
she tells
us late,
 parent-te
acher
meetings
unable to
attend
when
there’s
somethin
g in my
school.

S2 Hectic to Sometimes. No major Transition Not Taking at brother, prior Sometimes

pay Saturdays stress or from totally least 15 husband, responsi , when i'm
attention unable to conflict in daughter satisfied minutes and bility to unable to
at both make time marriage. to wife- nap in the family take make time
with
workplace for lunch Small little afternoon, have been son’s for family,
and home, with arguments difficult in career weekend a good studies
have to husband because I the progressio outings, support but i’m
prioritise even one postpone beginning n, work spending system. unable
work day. During doing but from a experienc time and Incase of to. tell
tasks my son’s certain wife to a e is good, talking any him to
because exams, things that mother- getting with my problem, read
of huge there’s also I said I quite husband. we talk aloud
new
responsibi exams in would do smooth. about it and say
lity as a my school. because of Being a opportunit and then that I'm
Principal, Managing time daughter- ies, reach a listening
end of the his studies constraint no stress. everyday, solution. but it's a
day, and my s. Issues Being a we’re compro
compromi work with wife- a planning mise,
se on becomes in-laws certain something happens
sleep time stressful. during the amount of quite
new to
and thus early days stress and often and
effect on of post develop, now my
health. marriage. becoming want to do son has
Now MIL a mother- further started to
understan increased studies take
ds but still stress. but don’t things
difference Now in all lightly.
get time.
s in the three
opinions roles, the wanted to
due to age responsibi implemen
gap. At lities t some
work, increased. plans in
mixed Stress my school
 experienc seems to but there's
e with be managem
colleagues increasing ent, their
.
terms and
conditions
because of
which I'm
unable to
implemen
t.

S3 Have to Sometimes. No The not Yoga, Support The Sometimes

give Priority to conflicts transition completel husband system is relations , when I
priority to family- the as such has been y satisfied kind of a my family hip have to
either clinic right now. nice.Pamp with my fitness in spite of between prioritise
work or remains I’m ered as a current freak- our me and either
family. closed for inclined daughter, career motivates difference my son family or
Adapting some time. towards after progressio me to s, my was not work, one
and Patient spiritualit being a n, exercise, husband, that over the
adjusting demand- y while he wife I could’ve it helps to my good- other.
work cut down is a very changed given it a alter your mother when it
timings my family practical somewhat go and way of and sister came to
according time to stay man so but as a would’ve thinking, and I even studies,
to family in the we have person I been at a was get a lot there was
clinic. clashes on was still different introduce of support always
that. My quite the position d to inner from my an
in-laws same, altogether, engineerin son. The argument
also get after I many g and yoga and between
along became a things that started kriyas i do us,
well. mother i want to doing is also a drama
They keep there was do at my yoga support every
their a total workplace practices, system. time he
affairs to change and things never skip had to
themselve because I are still in them as it study,
s while I wanted to progress, is helping realised
keep mine make sure feel I'm me to that if I
to myself. that I behind cope with take a
In the don't pass compared everythin step
beginning on any to fellow g. back, he
I didn't negative batchmate generally
like some traits to s, back follows.
things but my child. then had Now, a
I couldn't The way I given better
change am right priority to relations
 them so I now, I settle, to hip.
would feel wouldn't become Sometim
angry but change it stable in es when i
now for the my family come
things are way I was life so back
alright. before. now i can home
No focus on tired and
conflicts work. we have
at the to do his
workplace project,
as it’s my my voice
independe is raised
nt clinic. for
which
later i
feel bad
then i try
to
maintain
composu
re on my
end

S4 Managing Sometimes. I need the being a Satisfied, Keep my parents, School Sometimes
time, When my house to daughter- experienc mind work projects , at home
especially kid is be neat wonderful e has been calm, colleagues he waits because of
with my unwell, his and clean . Increase really practising , husband for me to my time
child as school’s while my in good, reiki, only is more complete constraints.
he’s still open days, husband responsibi everyone if the like ‘do together
young family doesn't lities after co-operati mind is whatever but i'm
and functions at really becoming ve, want calm will you want tired, not
dependent the same bother the a wife and to stay i find to’ but in the
. time as mess. mother. updated solutions because of mental
Managing board That is with the time space to
work exams. one point technologi constraint listen,
responsibi Feeling like over cal he have
lities with I miss all which we advancem sometime househol
household the keep ents, want s says d chores
chores beautiful having to do ‘you don't to do,
becomes moments I conflicts. online have to irritation,
quite could've When I courses continue a lot of
hectic as spent with can't be too but the job’. guilt. He
about 5 to my family. there for time But when sees that
5.5 hours family constraint. situations mothers
of my day functions, arise, like come to
go in he gets during the drop off
travelling irritated times of their
to and fro that I covid, he children
my don't have arranged at school
workplace time. My for or
. experienc commute tuitions
Fulfilling e with my and but i'm
everyone’ in-laws everythin unable to
s hasn't g. So he is do that
expectatio been that kind of because i
ns. Guilt great. partially don't
about not Simple supportive have
being able things like . time.
to do just being And he
much for there with expresse
my my kid s that
family. when I get saying
Everythin late from “how
g is work or everyone
physically dropping else is
exhaustin him to able to
g. Not school or find
getting tuitions in time?
any time case some Why
for work don't you
myself. comes up stay at
are not home?
being Why do
done by you have
them. to go?
They You
haven't teach so
been many
supportive other
. No kids but
issues at you don't
the have
workplace time to
. teach
me”
 Common Unique

Challenges Time management,

responsibilities,

Stressors

Conflicts

Transitions/Changes

Career progression

Coping mechanism

Support system

Parenting responsibilities

Feeling overwhelmed

Age range of the sample

- 25-30: ||
- 31-35: ||
- 36-40: |||||||
- 41-45: ||||

1. Challenges-
● Time management (15 out of 15)
● Juggling with responsibilities (15 out of 15)
● Responsibilities at the workplace/ work pressure (exam related stress) 5 women
who are in the teaching profession, reported added work pressure at the time of
exams. Colliding with their children’s exam
● Health struggles for women in their 40’s (comparative)
● No time
● In-laws health issue (Unique)
● No energy post work (Unique)
● Spending time with husband (Unique)
● Prioritizing, sleep schedule
● No time for myself

2. Frequency of Stress and Stressors- Frequently |||||, Sometimes ||||||||||, Rarely, Never
● Health issues (fertility issues) (unique)
● Looking after in laws
 ● Expectations from others and myself / orthodox expectations
● Traveling by train
● Temperament
● Exhaustion
● Taunts and getting targeted by the in laws
● Responsibility of an added member (niece 5 years old)

3. Conflict:
● In laws: Different thought process, Different parenting style, high expectations
from in-laws, lack of understanding, lack of support, religious mindset (5), taunts
(unique), adjustment issues, generation gap,
● Husband : different viewpoints, completely devotes to work, differential
treatment, male ego (U), lack of quality time,
● Workplace : politics, male dominance (U),

4. Transition Changes
● Daughter to wife : Increased responsibilities, new environment, lack of experience,
Increased expectations, unlearning few things, adjustment issues,
● Wife to Mother : Physically and mentally tired, beautiful experience
● Positive outcomes : maturity, sense of inclusivity (U)

5. Career Progression
● Satisfied : | | | | | | | | | | 10 Conducive environment
● Not Satisfied : | | | | | 5
● Challenges : male dominance, limited scope for changing career, Salary, different culture
has different aspects of job (U), pursuing further education, promotion, lack of
opportunities, stagnant career graph (U)

6. Coping mechanisms
● Reading, music, humor, venting out, making schedules, creative cooking recipes
(U), positive mindset, letting go attitude, naps and sleep, working, dance,
meditation-spirituality, yoga and exercise, self care (U), being adaptable to
change, crying, eating, watching movies, talking with family, seating with
yourself, financial freedom (U), acceptance, reiki (U)

7. Support system
● Husband, in laws, parents, children, sisters, brother, colleagues
8. Parenting responsibility
● Not meeting the child’s expectations; not being able to give time/ attention to
them leads to guilt; cannot focus on their kids’ academics even if they want to;
argument when it comes to study (U) (tumultuous relationship in the beginning).
9. Overwhelmed- frequency (2 remaining)
● Frequently | | | 3
● Sometimes ||||||||| 9
● Rarely | 1
● Never | | 2