New Mom Blake Lively Isn't Concerned With 'Having It All'

Blake Lively Tries To Look Beyond 'Having It All'
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New mom Blake Lively isn't fixated on "having it all."

“Most of the things I do are all-consuming, but somehow I find a way to do it all. It’s not having it all; it’s about doing it all,” Lively told Allure magazine, before delving into the complexities of the sentiment: “But it’s dangerous to dilute that to a catchphrase. Having it all could be having a happy, healthy family, and you could be a mom who stays at home, and that is the most admirable thing you could do. Or it could be having a profession that you really believe in, and not having a family, and doing what fulfills you. If it’s not a part of a conversation with someone face-to-face, those bites are why women tear each other apart or why the media will tear people apart.”

The 27-year-old is on the cover of the May 2015 issue of Allure. It is her first magazine spread since welcoming daughter James with husband Ryan Reynolds in December. The former "Gossip Girl" star announced her pregnancy on her website, Preserve, in October with a simple photo taken by her brother, showing the actress holding her growing belly.

That decision was a personal one.

“That was my way of owning that moment. I can’t be someone like Beyoncé ...," Lively said, referencing Bey's onstage pregnancy announcement at the VMAs in 2011. "But it was important for us," she continued, "It was a struggle, because we want to keep our privacy, but we also don’t want our lives to be exploited by other people. So we did it simply; it was a quiet way, an elegant way.”

For more with Blake Lively, head over to Allure.com or pick up the new issue on newsstands April 28.

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Before You Go

Blake Lively's Style
Gabriela Cadena Fall/Winter 2015 Runway Show - Front Row & Backstage(01 of46)
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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 12: Blake Lively poses backstage at the Gabriela Cadena fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2015 on February 12, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for Gabriela Cadena) (credit:Stephen Lovekin via Getty Images)
Marchesa - Arrivals & Departures - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2015(02 of46)
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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 18: Actress Blake Lively leaves the Marchesa fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2015 at St. Regis Hotel on February 18, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images) (credit:Cindy Ord via Getty Images)
Ninth Annual Women Of Worth Awards(03 of46)
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NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 02: Blake Lively attends L'Oreal Paris' Ninth Annual Women of Worth Awards at The Pierre Hotel on December 2, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by D Dipasupil/FilmMagic) (credit:D Dipasupil via Getty Images)
2014 American Made Summit: In Conversation With Martha Stewart And Blake Lively(04 of46)
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NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 08: Blake Lively attends the 2014 American Made Summit: In Conversation With Martha Stewart And Blake Lively at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Headquarters on November 8, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/FilmMagic) (credit:Laura Cavanaugh via Getty Images)
2014 Angel Ball - Arrivals(05 of46)
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Blake Lively attends the 2014 Angel Ball, hosted by Gabrielle's Angel Foundation, at Cipriani Wall Street on Monday, Oct. 20, 2014, in New York. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP) (credit:Scott Roth/Invision/AP)
2014 Angel Ball - Arrivals(06 of46)
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Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds attend the 2014 Angel Ball, hosted by Gabrielle's Angel Foundation, at Cipriani Wall Street on Monday, Oct. 20, 2014, in New York. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP) (credit:Scott Roth/Invision/AP)
2014 Angel Ball(07 of46)
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NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 20: Actors Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds attend 2014 Angel Ball at Cipriani Wall Street on October 20, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/WireImage) (credit:Bennett Raglin via Getty Images)
Celebrity Sightings In New York City - October 20, 2014(08 of46)
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NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 20: Actress Blake Lively (L) and Ryan Reynolds are seen in lower manthattan on October 20, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images) (credit:Raymond Hall via Getty Images)
Celebrity Sightings In New York City - October 17, 2014(09 of46)
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NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 17: Actress Blake Lively is seen Soho on October 17, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images) (credit:Raymond Hall via Getty Images)
Celebrity Sightings In New York City - October 17, 2014(10 of46)
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NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 17: Actress Blake Lively is seen Soho on October 17, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images) (credit:Raymond Hall via Getty Images)
2014 God's Love We Deliver Golden Heart Awards(11 of46)
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Blake Lively arrives at the God's Love We Deliver Golden Heart Awards on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini]/Invision/AP) (credit:Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
2014 God's Love We Deliver Golden Heart Awards(12 of46)
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Blake Lively arrives at the God's Love We Deliver Golden Heart Awards on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini]/Invision/AP) (credit:Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
2014 MET Museum Costume Institute Benefit Gala(13 of46)
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Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating "Charles James: Beyond Fashion" on Monday, May 5, 2014, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) (credit:Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
2014 MET Museum Costume Institute Benefit Gala(14 of46)
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Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating "Charles James: Beyond Fashion" on Monday, May 5, 2014, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) (credit:Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
France Cannes Grace of Monaco Red Carpet(15 of46)
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Blake Lively poses on the red carpet for the opening ceremony and the screening of Grace of Monaco at the 67th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Wednesday, May 14, 2014. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP) (credit:Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)
France Cannes Grace of Monaco Red Carpet(16 of46)
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American actress Blake Lively poses for photographers on the red carpet during the opening ceremony and the screening of Grace of Monaco at the 67th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Wednesday, May 14, 2014. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
France Cannes Mr Turner Red Carpet(17 of46)
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Actress Blake Lively poses for photographers on the red carpet for the screening of Mr. Turner at the 67th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Thursday, May 15, 2014. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
France Cannes Mr Turner Red Carpet(18 of46)
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Actress Blake Lively poses for photographers on the red carpet for the screening of Mr. Turner at the 67th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Thursday, May 15, 2014. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
2014 CFDA Fashion Awards - Arrivals(19 of46)
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Blake Lively attends the CFDA Fashion Awards on Monday, June 2, 2014 in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) (credit:Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
"American Woman: Fashioning A National Identity" Met Gala - Arrivals(20 of46)
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NEW YORK - MAY 03: Actress Blake Lively attends the Costume Institute Gala Benefit to celebrate the opening of the 'American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity' exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 3, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Cinema Society & 2(x)ist Screening Of "Twelve" - Inside Arrivals(21 of46)
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NEW YORK - JULY 28: Actress Blake Lively attends the Cinema Society & 2(x)ist screening of 'Twelve' at Landmark's Sunshine Cinema on July 28, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Fashion's Night Out: The Show - Front Row(22 of46)
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Actress Blake Lively attends Fashion's Night Out: The Show at Lincoln Center on September 7, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images North America) (credit:Getty Images)
"The Town" Premiere - 2010 Toronto International Film Festival(23 of46)
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TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 11: Actress Blake Lively arrives at 'The Town' Premiere held at Roy Thomson Hall during the 35th Toronto International Film Festival on September 11, 2010 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Spike TV's "Scream 2010" - Arrivals(24 of46)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 16: Actress Blake Lively arrives at Spike TV's 'Scream 2010' at The Greek Theatre on October 16, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2011 National Board of Review of Motion Pictures Gala - Outside Arrivals(25 of46)
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NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 11: Actress Blake Lively attends the 2011 National Board of Review of Motion Pictures Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on January 11, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CHANEL Hosts An Intimate Dinner In Honor Of Blake Lively(26 of46)
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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 02: Actress Blake Lively attends an intimate dinner in her honor hosted by CHANEL at La Grenouille on March 2, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for CHANEL) (credit:Getty Images)
CHANEL Hosts A Dinner In Honor Of Blake Lively - Paris Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2012(27 of46)
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PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 05: Blake Lively attends the CHANEL dinner hosted in her honor during Paris Fashion Week on March 5, 2011 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CinemaCon 2011 Awards Ceremony - Arrivals(28 of46)
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LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 31: Actress Blake Lively, recipient of the Breakthrough Performer of the Year award, arrives at the CinemaCon awards ceremony at the Pure Nightclub at Caesars Palace during CinemaCon, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, March 31, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chanel Resort Dinner At Cap D'Antibes(29 of46)
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CAP D'ANTIBES, FRANCE - MAY 08: Actress Blake Lively arrives to the Chanel Resort dinner for the launch of Chanel's latest Collection Croisiere 2012 on May 8, 2011 in Cap d'Antibes, France. (Photo by Kristy Sparow/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2011 MTV Movie Awards - Press Room(30 of46)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 05: Actress Blake Lively poses in the press room during the 2011 MTV Movie Awards at Universal Studios' Gibson Amphitheatre on June 5, 2011 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Premiere Of Warner Bros. Pictures' "Green Lantern" - Arrivals(31 of46)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 15: Actress Blake Lively arrives at the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures' 'Green Lantern' held at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on June 15, 2011 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Attend BAFTA Brits To Watch Event(32 of46)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 09: Actress Blake Lively arrives at the BAFTA Brits To Watch event held at the Belasco Theatre on July 9, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2011 Teen Choice Awards - Arrivals(33 of46)
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UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - AUGUST 07: Actress Blake Lively arrives at the 2011 Teen Choice Awards held at the Gibson Amphitheatre on August 7, 2011 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Christian Louboutin Cocktail Party(34 of46)
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NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 01: Actress Blake Lively attends the Christian Louboutin Cocktail party at Barneys New York on November 1, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Versace For H&M Fashion Event - Inside(35 of46)
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NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 08: Blake Lively attends the Versace for H&M Fashion event at the H&M on the Hudson on November 8, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Rabbani and Solimene Photography/Getty Images for Versace for H&M) (credit:Getty Images)
The Museum Of Modern Art 4th Annual Film Benefit: "A Tribute To Pedro Almodovar"(36 of46)
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NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 15: Actress Blake Lively attends the Museum of Modern Art's 4th Annual Film benefit 'A Tribute to Pedro Almodovar' at the Museum of Modern Art on November 15, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
"Gossip Girl" Celebrates 100 Episodes(37 of46)
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NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 19: Actress Blake Lively attends the 'Gossip Girl' 100 episode celebration at Cipriani Wall Street on November 19, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Cinema Society & BlackBerry Bold Host A Screening Of "Haywire" - Arrivals(38 of46)
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NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 18: Actress Blake Lively attends the Cinema Society & Blackberry Bold screening of 'Haywire' at Landmark Sunshine Cinema on January 18, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Premiere Of Universal Pictures' "Savages" - Red Carpet(39 of46)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 25: Actress Blake Lively arrives at Premiere of Universal Pictures' 'Savages' at Westwood Village on June 25, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Actress Blake Lively arrives for the pre(40 of46)
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Actress Blake Lively arrives for the premiere of Universal Pictures' 'Savages' at Westwood Village on June 25, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. AFP PHOTO / JOE KLAMAR (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty Images)
"Savages" New York Premiere - Inside Arrivals(41 of46)
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NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 27: Actress Blake Lively attends the 'Savages' New York premiere at SVA Theater on June 27, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CHANEL FINE JEWELRY Celebrates It's 80th Anniversary Of The "Bijoux De Diamants" Collection Created By Gabrielle Chanel(42 of46)
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NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 09: Actress Blake Lively attends the celebration of CHANEL FINE JEWELRY'S 80th anniversary of the 'Bijoux De Diamants' collection created by Gabrielle Chanel on October 9, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Chanel) (credit:Getty Images)
12-12-12 Concert Benefiting The Robin Hood Relief Fund To Aid The victims Of Hurricane - Press Room(43 of46)
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NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 12: Blake Lively attends '12-12-12' a concert benefiting The Robin Hood Relief Fund to aid the victims of Hurricane Sandy presented by Clear Channel Media & Entertainment, The Madison Square Garden Company and The Weinstein Company at Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
"PUNK: Chaos To Couture" Costume Institute Gala(44 of46)
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NEW YORK, NY - MAY 06: Blake Lively attends the Costume Institute Gala for the 'PUNK: Chaos to Couture' exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for The Huffington Post) (credit:Getty Images)
"Turbo" New York Premiere - Inside Arrivals(45 of46)
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NEW YORK, NY - JULY 09: Actress Blake Lively attends the 'Turbo' New York Premiere at AMC Loews Lincoln Square on July 9, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Alternative - Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2014(46 of46)
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MILAN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 18: (EDITOR'S NOTE: Image was processed using digital filters) Blake Lively attends the Gucci show as part of Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2014 on September 18, 2013 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)