Does the word “balance” seem off putting to you?
Do you find it to be overused and exhausted?
The word balance is thrown around the health and wellness industry quite frequently. It’s become a buzzword and buzzwords can very quickly lose their value and meaning. Before we dive further into the meaning of a ‘balanced lifestyle,’ let’s look at its definition.
Balance: physical equilibrium, stability, mental and emotional steadiness
Imagine a scale with two sides,
On one side (we’ll call it side A) you have all the things that you invite into your life.
On the other side (side B) you have all the things that you give out.
How do you keep a stable balance between both sides? For example, you have a job that is mentally taxing. it requires a lot of outward energy, mental stimuli, analysis and review. You’re adding to side A more and more weight and side B is beginning to falter. To bring the scale back in balance, you add meditation, breathwork, journaling and therapy to side B. Soon enough, your scale comes back into equilibrium - into balance.
So now, how do you balance your lifestyle?
Let’s think about all the areas that make up your life, all the pieces of the puzzle.
All of these pieces make up your life. When each piece is properly cared for, then that piece remains steady and in place. And when all the pieces collectively are in place, you have total and complete balance.
You have a job that you love and are passionate about.
You have financial savings and keep debt low.
You engage in some form of physical activity daily.
Yet you don’t have too many people around you to stay engaged or in touch with. You decline invitations to be with others and would rather spend time alone and you’ve lost friendships this way. Your lifestyle feels a bit imbalanced.
This is where “the work” comes into play. You recognize in yourself that if you had a supportive group of people around you, you would enjoy life more. You’d be able to work out with others, maybe start a fitness challenge with some friends. You desire this type of support, so you commit to doing the work to nurture that piece of the puzzle.
Journey to a “balanced” lifestyle means that it’s continuous.
Our own journeys don’t have a true ending - even after we’ve passed. Our souls continue on a journey after our physical body has passed on and attaches itself to another form of living.
That’s the beauty of a journey. It’s continuous and it’s up to us to nurture the sequence of that journey with what will bring us balance for that given moment.
Anytime that you feel imbalanced or something in your life is not sitting well or serving you anymore, look to see what piece of your life could use more attention and care. Which piece of the puzzle needs more TLC to help balance the scale? Focus there and you’ll find your footing, your balance, once more.