Balance. Think about that word for a second. What does it mean to you?
Do you think of trying to stand securely on one foot before falling over, ultimately loosing your balance? Maybe the thought of eating adequate amounts of healthy food but a generous amount of sweet treats is your personal definition. Or you might just view it in a simple, but oh so relatable way; saying that it means happiness.
There's no right or wrong answer to the question. Balance can mean so many things to all of us. It's something that we all need in our lives in a multitude of ways. The type of balance that we're focusing on today is a work-life balance. I think this one is really important because without it, you'll most likely find yourself not enjoying life to the best of your ability. When you take work home with you then you're never truly away from your job. You stop being present in your home life which can affect your relationships as well as your physical and mental health in negative ways.
Those of us who struggle with this type of unbalanced life most likely don't want it to be the way it is. You crave that switch from work to personal life but can't find that sweet spot. It's tough, but not impossible and with a little effort you'll be able to capture that free time and sense of ease that you're looking for.
MEDIATION + YOGA + EXERCISE
Meditation. Yoga. Exercise. The magic three. I don't think you need to carve out three hours a day to get this all done. No way. You can easily fit all three of these into a 30-60 minute timeframe. Or you can pick and choose. It's up to you. But, mediation, yoga, and exercise can bring up your mood by releasing endorphins and give you a sense of calm before or after a stressful work day.
Try taking 5 minutes in the morning for some yoga or meditation. You can find short yoga flows on YouTube and simply set a timer on your phone for a quick meditation. If you'd rather, try a 10 minute walk outside before work without your phone to center yourself and go into your day with a clear head.
ROMANTICIZE DAILY ROUTINES
What's your favorite part of the day? For me, it's the morning. I make a delicious breakfast and eat it out of my favorite bowl while I read a book. The sun streams through my window and the birds chirp outside which reminds me that the world is waking up right with me. I love that part of the day and I make sure to make it special. If your favorite part of the day is drinking tea before bed then make that the best you can possibly make it. Buy a fancy tea that you enjoy. Use a mug you really love and drink the tea in a spot that is close to your heart. Maybe you can listen to some music or a podcast. You might even revel in the silence, appreciating it for what it is. Make these small moments special. They matter and they're important.
SCHEDULE TIME OFF
Each day schedule some time off from work to introduce the fact that you don't always have to be in work mode. Show your mind that it's okay to relax for a bit. Start with an hour of just stepping away from work emails and thoughts by doing something else that you enjoy. One day it could be going for a bike ride and another day it could be watching something on Netflix or reading a book. The activities can change as time passes. But the one thing that we don't want to change is giving ourselves permission to take some time off each day to do something for ourselves without work in our minds.
WELCOME FLEXIBILITY AND CHANGES
Be open and accepting to the changes and space that's being created in your life. Also, be patient as the changes happen. Trust and dive into the process. Letting go of the feeling as if you're in control by being "on" all the time opens up a world of possibilities. You'll have more time and space to do things that you've worked towards. Having the extra time and space can be scary at first. Welcome the feelings and the flexibility of it all. It's all normal. It's all okay. Let it be an experience.
Put in the work and you'll see the results. Treat it as an important task in your life and be consistent. The benefits will appear over time and you'll feel great as you look back and see how much you've grown. Share your journey with me and let me know how it's going along the way. Much love. xx