Real talk: Does the 50/50 split actually work or is it Instagram fantasy?

Everyone on the internet makes 50/50 sound amazing but honestly we're struggling. My ex moved 20 minutes further away, so pickup and dropoff is basically an hour round trip for me twice a week. The kids have stuff at different houses so I'm constantly buying duplicates (clothes, toothbrushes, meds for allergies). We both work full time. It feels chaotic not peaceful. Is it supposed to be this exhausting or are we doing it wrong?