We’ve heard a lot about work-life balance in recent years — the idea that people can succeed at work while still making time for family, hobbies and life outside of their jobs. Many people see it as essential for their mental health and overall well-being — but Oprah doesn’t think people should expect it right away.Jamie Mccarthy / Getty ImagesThe billionaire media mogul made the comments on a recent episode of “Baby, This Is Keke Palmer,” while discussing the personal freedom she enjoys at this stage of her life.“I only do what I want to do,” Oprah, 72, said.Marco Bertorello / Getty Images“I think when you’re not free, not completely free, you can’t make decisions based upon what you want,” Oprah continued, noting that she gives this same advice to young women who are just entering the workforce.“This is what I say to my girls who are graduating from college and starting their first jobs, and they’re talking to me about work-life balance at this point. I go, ‘You ain’t gonna have no work-life balance at 22,’” Oprah said. “That’s tearing us up, by the way,” Palmer added.Oprah agreed. “You’re not supposed to have it,” she said.According to Oprah, work-life balance is something that’s earned over time — not something that exists from day one.Jeff Haynes / Getty Images“You’re supposed to lay it in. Lay in the work,” Oprah said, explaining that there were “lots of times” when she had to do what was necessary instead of what she wanted.Theo Wargo / Getty ImagesTurning to the camera, she added, “You have to do what you have to do, what you need to do, until you can do what you want to do.”The clip quickly gained traction online, where people were sharply divided over whether Oprah’s advice was motivating or super outdated.A lot of people agreed with her, arguing that success almost always comes from sacrifice.Axelle / Getty ImagesJournalist Jemele Hill wrote, “For successful people, work-life balance simply does not exist. Anything you really want in life is going to require sacrifice, hard work, and dedication. That doesn’t mean you don’t have any fun along the way, but if you’re thinking you’re going to work half the time and play half the time, that’s a fallacy.”Another echoed that sentiment, writing, “Tell the girls! There is a season of doing what you HAVE to do before you can do what you wanna do. People wanna skip that part. There is a sowing season before the reaping season.”Others thought Oprah’s comments reflected an outdated mindset around work.Kamil Krzaczynski / Getty Images“We don’t need to chronically overwork,” one person commented. “That’s a generational thing. The younger generation are learning how to make money and do what they want. There is room for many avenues but I don’t believe fully in that ideology.”Another viewer argued that the issue pointed to larger systemic problems. “Okay respectfullllly, I disagree on this take! Love Oprah down but she more than anyone can speak to/understand that it’s a systematic reason why we aren’t able to have work life balance. We are apart of a greedy capitalist society...we could be paid fare wages, we could have access to healthy food, marginalized neighborhoods could have access to healthy resources but it’s by design that we aren’t experiencing that. So the result was okay we just have to grind. No, advocate for something different just like we were taught from generations before.”Some also pointed out that Oprah’s comments assumed everyone would eventually reach a point where they could slow down — which life obviously doesn’t always guarantee.“Later is not guaranteed. Many things that people postpone, like travel, you might not be able to do later because of your health or travel policies,” one person argued. “Hence I believe in balance now. Allow yourself some fun, while also setting the foundation for later.”Another agreed, “Life is TOO short to sit around miserable, overworked, underpaid, and mistreated! Everyday we have a new disease popping up, wars all over the globe! Flooding, wildfires, 🔫 violence and so on! Happiness and peace isn’t a destination...we should be trying to find it everyday in our journey!!”Some also questioned Oprah’s definition of success altogether. “Success isn’t just reaching your goals. It’s arriving there with a nervous system that’s still able to enjoy them.”Astrida Valigorsky / Getty ImagesOthers dismissed the billionaire’s advice entirely. “Don’t take advice from billionaires,” one person wrote. “They can’t relate to normal peoples lives and give advice based on real life struggles. She became a millionaire at 32 years old and has been living with financial freedom for a few decades now.”Stephane Cardinale - Corbis / Getty ImagesBut some people thought there was wisdom on both sides.“There are definitely seasons where you have to put in the work,” one person wrote, “but the goal should always be creating a life that brings you peace, not just staying busy.”Arnold Jerocki / Getty ImagesAnother added, “The challenge is that it looks different for everyone.”Michael Loccisano / Getty ImagesFinally, people noted that this is simply Oprah’s take. “She’s giving advice that she believes helped her on her journey if you don’t believe it’s right for you, don’t take it,” one person said. “we all have choices and freewill. Focus on what’s best for YOU instead of saying she doesn’t know what she’s talking about.”