I was very careful when choosing my words for the title of our balance series because often you will hear ‘finding’ balance, not creating. If you had a chance to look at Part 1 of our balance series from the other day, I addressed the quote from Jana Kingsford: “Balance is not something you find, it is something you create.” Just by changing that one word from find to create, you have allowed yourself to have much more power over your life!
Now, let’s get down to the nitty gritty…
How do we create this balance we so longingly seek? I will give you 5 suggestions/tips for getting started. We will take a look at the ‘why’ in Part 3.
- Say No and Stop Over-Committing Yourself
Ugh – I know, this is a tough one to start with if you’re anything like me. We say “yes” because we want to be nice and we want to be helpful. However, when we keep saying yes, we no longer have time to do the things that we want or need to do. As a result, we start to burn the candle at both ends…and the only thing that happens with that is the candle eventually burns out. Again, we will talk about burnout in another post. - Plan a Digital Detox
I know, I know. We hear this A LOT…but, think about how much time we spend on our phones or computers (especially these past few years). Yes, technology IS an important part of our lives, but when we focus too much in this area we are taking away time from self-care and/or doing the things that make you happy, relaxed, or otherwise feeling the good vibes. So, try to start small. Set aside an hour each day where you can simply walk away from the computer or phone. Stop scrolling a half hour before bed. Don’t open social media for the first hour after waking each day. I promise, it will be there when you get back. - Ask for Help
When you’re drowning, it’s hard to speak…so, before you get to that point, ask for help. It’s easy to retreat and try to go it alone when responsibilities and tasks start to pile up, but isolating yourself into a bubble can become a very lonely place. Ask for help and delegate when you can. It is not a sign of weakness, thinking you are incapable of doing things for yourself. Instead, it is a sign of strength, knowing your boundaries and limitations. Remember that old acronym for TEAM: together everyone achieves more. Find your team and love them hard. - Set a Curfew
When you were young, if you had a curfew you probably didn’t like having it. You may have fought the adults in your life on it or tried to negotiate. Maybe you even went against it a time or two…hypothetically speaking, of course. Part of this is because when we were younger, we didn’t always understand the reasoning behind things…specifically the fact that the curfew was meant for our own good. So, fast forward to now. We try to accomplish so much in a day’s time that we often keep at it late into the evening and night. It’s time to set a curfew for yourself. Pick a time to stop and walk away from work, to-do lists, chores…and stick with it. Mentally “punch out,” and use that time off the clock to do for you. Bubble bath and hot tea? A sweet treat and television? A book and a blanket? Yes, yes, and yes – whatever creates space in your mind and soul. - Be Kind to Yourself
I am saying it louder for those in the back: BE KIND TO YOURSELF! Struggle is not a sign of failure. Self-care is not selfish. Stillness is not lazy. If you don’t get everything accomplished in the day, THAT IS OKAY. If you put your needs first and do something for yourself, THAT IS OKAY. If you want to do absolutely nothing because your brain and body need to be still…guess what? THAT IS OKAY. Find your balance through kindness, and know when to let the musts, haves, and shoulds go.
Hopefully you are able to make one, or all, of these work for you and you are on your way to finding the balance an experienced yogi has during tree pose. Check back for Part 3 which is coming soon!
Until then, sending you good vibes (and a pic of my daily reminder to create BALANCE on my coffee bar)…
~S~
Teacher-Life-Coach 