What does “balance“ mean to you? Dictionary defines balance as “an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady.”
The phrase “everything in moderation" comes to mind when I think about the word balance. For me, balance is having the ability to assess your priorities and what is most important to you at any given time and focusing energy on whatever that thing is. For example, balance for a workaholic may be to put more effort on home/social life, and be more conscious about carving out time for friends and family. More examples of balance is if you love exercising, but you obviously can’t live at the gym, and the fitness experts will probably agree that you must give your body a rest day. As much as I love to binge watch a good Netflix show, I can't do it all the time and everyday. Likewise, if you love drinking wine, you can’t do it everyday and become dependent or else you’ll have a bigger problem on your hands. If you’re dieting, it’s okay to have a cheat-day where you enjoy ice cream, pizza etc. if that’s what you really love—again you get the point everything in moderation. Therefore, balance can be about setting your priorities and commitments, having boundaries and knowing when to relax the rules a little bit and just be human.
Without balance in our lives we’re likely to over focus on one area while neglecting another. During these uncertain times, I encourage you to think about what balance means to you. I hope you can define it for yourself and determine how you can have a more fulfilled balanced life where every area of your life flourishes. Balance will look different to each and every person. Balance may also change given circumstances and things that may be beyond your control—such as a global pandemic. Things may happen that rock you to the core, knock you off-balance and completely change life as you know it. Life circumstances may force you to balance your priorities, needs and desires differently. In my opinion, balance is also about being flexible and adjusting to the ups/downs and challenges of every-day life. In finding your right balance, it’s important to keep self-care and wellness as a priority. Everything else will come after because if you are not healthy and well mentally, physically and emotionally, balance is irrelevant.
Don't worry if you haven't quite figured out how to balance the many different priorities in your life. No one has it all figured out, and we're all just doing the best we can to find our path/purpose and achieve balance for optimal health, wellness and peace. Balance is not always easy and at times, you may disappoint yourself and you may fall short of other people’s expectations of you, but you owe no one an apology for balancing your priorities to what works for you. Even when you disappoint yourself, remember to be kind, loving and patient with yourself, and tomorrow is another day to try this balance thing again and do better.
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