Finding Balance in Life
Posted on 17 January 2010
Many of us try to juggle things and endlessly search for some kind of balance in life. The question we should ask is whether we need balance or just to be able to stand on solid ground?
Balance
The thought of balance is a very appealing one, juggling all arenas of life and getting things just right in order to feel great. A good Social life, A Healthy Diet, The right amount of Exercise, Working hard yet getting enough down time, throw in family time and achieving balance becomes pretty hard. Leaving us exhausted and stressed out, making the fine balance we are trying to achieve to improve our health and well-being the thing the hardest part.
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.” – Albert Einstein
The truth is we cannot walk a tight rope in life and achieve perfect balance, it is simply unattainable, too much. We need to accept who we are and the way things are then move from there….
Find Life
Once we stop fretting over making everyone happy, eating an exact way or fitting in exercise all the time life seems to slip into place. first though you must accept the person you are right now. If you like to chill out at home and watch DVD’s sometimes then so be it, If your a Vegetarian and don’t eat meat then so be it, If your training schedule means you can’t get wasted every friday night then so be it. We might disappoint people or offend them by being ourselves but it has to be that way. Meaning that you can still do what you like and live the lifestyle you want to live while letting go of the perfection or balancing act.
You will probably find that you will start living a more fulfilled life and actually achieve more of your goals. Things will become effortless and the lowered levels of stress will make you think better and perform better in whatever you do. Plus you will probably become more outgoing and easygoing by nature.
Accept who you are right now and the way you do things now and get on with life. We cannot achieve a perfect balance and live on a tightrope for any sustained length of time so its better to spend time on solid ground where everything doesn’t matters as much but you still do your best to lead the life you try to lead.
Live in The Real World
We all have to make a living, have a sense of purpose and fulfillment, and stay healthy in order to achieve a life in the real world. Ultimately anything that makes it harder to live in the real world for you should be given a second thought. It doesn’t matter which aspect of your lifestyle is holding you back. Take a good look at it and make the necessary compromises that will allow you to live with stability in the real world. The funny thing is that most of the habits and lifestyles we have imposed that hold us back are often the ones which we initially imposed to make our lives more simple, and ended up having the opposite effect. So that is a good place to start looking.
So let’s re-iterate. So long as you have stability in all areas of your life then you are doing well for me it comes down to:
- Quality relationships with friends and family
- Having a purpose or profession you love
- Eating well and Exercising regularly
- Relaxation time and knowing how to unwind
These things give us stability and they allow us to keep a firm grip on the best life has to offer. Walking the tight rope and finding balance to me means perfecting all of these areas nearly 100% of the time and this is exhausting and unatainable. Stability is real balance and comes from doing things well 80% of the time and leaving yourself and and your mind that 20% leeway to breathe!
Comment by Minimal Student
17 January 2010
Wow, a really great post that came at a good time for me. As a student, I feel constantly conflicted between what I want, what my professors want and what my family/friends want.
Disappointing people or offending people is always on my mind, and unfortunately that usually means that I end up putting myself last. Perhaps 2010 is a good time to start being a stronger and more assertive person in certain matters.
Thanks for the post!
Comment by Carla
17 January 2010
What a great post! I always try too hard to do everything perfectly and of course end up disappointing myself since this is impossible. This post reminded me of what’s really important in life.
Comment by Grok
18 January 2010
After the new year started (not a resolution), I quit fretting my diet so much. I quit counting calories/carbs & have just been focusing on eating smarter. I’ve been making all the right choices not obsessing out it (imagine that ). My body composition is getting better and it’s way less stress. I’ve grossly overeaten a few times, but I just pick up the next day and forget the previous.
The other “balance” I’m really trying to focus on is financial balance. Reducing overall bills to a minimum, and only buying things I can afford pay cash instantly for!
I’ve been living within my means for a while now, but sometimes I’ve purchased on credit, then pay off in a week or so when I have the money available. No More! Half the time you wont even want/need the thing anymore by the time you have the cash. Win/win.
These days I don’t need any material things (not essential for survival) bad enough to buy on credit. Screw the Joneses!
Comment by Naturallycheryl
18 January 2010
I think what you’ve described as solid ground IS balance. Balance is different for every person and opposite of the concept of “perfect.” Balance is ultimately what makes YOU feel at peace in your life. Balance is letting go of other’s expectations or perceived expectations…if you are walking a tightrope you weren’t balanced to begin with.
I agree…let go, focus on what’s most important, know thyself.
I’m enjoying your blog. Now I’m off to do yoga because it makes me happy even though I “should” do cardio. I’m just fine with that!
Comment by Adam
19 January 2010
I like this post a lot.
One thing that I try to keep in mind is that things are constantly changing. In order to maintain balance – keep things within tolerable limits (80-20 is a good rule here), you have to be willing to make adjustments on the fly. Thinking of a shower is an analogy that helps me. To get to the right water temperature, you have to fiddle with the hot and the cold. Eventually, you get things dialed in just the way you like…and inevitably something changes (the dishwasher starts up – the hot water runs out – etc.) and you have to adjust and fiddle some more or get out, towel off, and try again tomorrow.
Comment by Suzanne
19 January 2010
This is beautiful. I really struggle with perfection, and you’re right – it’s the people who stress the least who are doing the best they can, flying by the seat of their pants, and going for it.
Comment by Trainerpack
19 January 2010
I need some peace at night when I try to sleep but can’t bc I know I have to be up at 5am.