Peace and boundaries do matter

Corporate Citizen: How do you set out your priorities to keep your work and personal life balanced?

Mallika Timblo: I’ve stopped chasing 'balance' the way it’s sold to us as a perfectly weighted scale. I believe for women 'balance' does not exist, it’s a constant juggle. Some days work wins; some days, family does. It’s less about balance and more about being fully present in what I’ve chosen in that moment, without guilt about the things I’ve had to put down.

CC: While on the move, what helps you maintain calm and peace?

I have learnt to anchor myself in very small rituals. Movement in the mornings, seven minutes of breathwork in the car, responding to emails with intention instead of urgency, or a herbal drink before bedtime. Calm, for me, comes from being aware.

CC: What keeps you fit and healthy? What are your secrets to maintaining a calm and cool mind?

I’ve given up on wellness routines that demand more than I can give. I eat real food. I walk while I work, my walking pad sees a lot of email time. I workout to keep my bones strong. I meditate, not perfectly but consistently. I stay curious, read widely, and protect my peace and boundaries like they matter, because they do.

CC: Your stress busters? How do you rejuvenate, recharge and de-stress?

Music, meeting friends, putting my phone far far away, and sometimes doing absolutely nothing. Women are told we always need to be 'on'. Sometimes the best way to recharge is to simply switch off.

CC: What do you like to do in your free time?

I write, I travel. I look for recipes that my husband can try—I am a terrible cook.

CC: What works best for you as relaxation therapy?

Breathing room—when nothing is scheduled, no one wants anything, no one is calling, and I can just be.

"I believe for women 'balance' does not exist, it’s a constant juggle. Some days work wins; some days, family does. It’s less about balance and more about being fully present in what I’ve chosen in that moment, without guilt about the things I’ve had to put down"

— Mallika Timblo

CC: Five tips for maintaining work-life balance?

• Don’t glorify busy. It doesn’t always mean productive.
• Protect your morning for even 15 minutes.
• 'No' is a full sentence
• Delegate early, not when you’re drowning.
• Accept that 'balance' looks different every day.

CC: Do you play any games that help in your work? How do they help? What lessons do they teach for life?

I play UNO with my husband and kids. It is loud, unpredictable, and usually ends in someone accusing someone else of cheating. It’s taught me that “reversals” are part of the game, and that sometimes, you win by letting go of control.

CC: What is your work philosophy?

Build what you wish existed. Then build it with integrity.

CC: What message would you like to give to youngsters on managing time, hobbies, and their profession?

Don’t try to optimise every moment. Leave room for discovery. Time is not something to fill. It is something to feel and something to cherish.

CC: What dreams remain to be fulfilled?

Many—some big, some small. Yes, I want to build a platform that gives women the tools to understand and navigate their hormonal health, without shame, stigma or confusion. Something that speaks across languages, income brackets and life stages. But, I also dream of building it in a way that feels sustainable. For me, and for the people around me.

CC: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Hopefully building a global ecosystem that has changed the way we talk about and treat women’s wellness. And, doing it with a strong team, not as a lone founder. I also see myself living with intention.

CC: Can you define yourself?

A work in progress—loud when it matters, quiet when it heals, and always listening, always evolving.