You can work hard, but it's easy to fall into a pattern of working straight through meals and breaks to finish a project. There's no doubt I'm guilty of this! However, doing this day-in, day-out is not worth your well-being. It's not worth your relationships, and it's not worth invaluable, quality time with your family.
"It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody." — Maya Angelou
It's not always going to work out quite nicely to be overly rigid about stop-and-start times; the work-life balance can be a constant juggling act, however, another way of looking at the idea of work-life balance is to weave elements of both areas of your life into one another. For instance, your work may be better served if you get your friends and family involved in what you do through periodic updates. This way, they might better understand your passion(s) and can better support you when you do have those moments when you have to burn through the midnight oil to get a critical project out-the-door. And, similarly, the other way around, you can reciprocate the support to them when needed.
Another way of looking at the idea of work-life balance is to weave elements of both areas of your life into one another.
Along the way, I would include forgiving yourself. Forgive yourself and praise yourself for doing your best each-and-everyday. As Maya Angelou once said, "It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody."
On that note, go get 'em and don't forget to take a moment to pause, take care of your well-being and enjoy the company of those around you.