Still Working On Finding “Balance”

When I started this blog, one of my goals was to find “balance” in my life. Now, “balance” is a big word and there are often great expectations attached to it. We somehow want to find that “magical place” where things are in harmony and we somehow (hopefully) effortlessly spend the “right” amount of time on the “right” things. I’m not so sure that place truly exists… Life is just too ever-changing, unpredictable, and sometimes just not that easy…

Even though there may not be a place of “true balance,” I can honestly say that I feel more “balanced” today than when I started this blog last year. Here is why:

• I work out regularly without feeling guilty
• I am not afraid to say “no” anymore (most of the time)
• I take time to appreciate the gift of life every day
• I take some “me time” every day (even if it’s just 5 minutes)
• I am mindful of where my food comes from, how I prepare it, and I enjoy every bite of it

While things are more balanced, the last few months have been challenging. Life happened, which means there were lots of things I hadn’t expected, planned for, or, quite frankly, wanted… But I made the best of it. Were things perfect and “nicely balanced?” No. But they were okay. And sometimes okay is just fine.

I still managed to work out a fair amount (although less than I would have liked to). I continued to eat (mostly) healthy foods. I made an effort to stay in touch with friends (but I could have been better).
Here is what I’m going to work on in the next few weeks to get “more balanced:”

• Read a “summer book” for pleasure
• Add some cardio back into my workouts
• Play/hike/live more in nature
• Be truly mindful of all the little pleasures and let them outshine the “negatives”

Questions: What do you think of “balance?” Do you think it’s a “big word” with maybe too many (unrealistic) expectations? Do you feel you have “balance” in your life?
 
Be well,
Andrea