Creating a Balanced Life

Out of Balance

In my late 30’s I decided I wanted to be a runner. As with every new venture, I researched everything I could find on running training: best schedule, best types of runs, speed, etc. I had a calendar on my fridge where I marked off each day’s run. Although my research also said to cross-train, I refused. No time for that. I was obsessed with staying on a running-only schedule, no matter how my body felt.

It served me well until mile 10 of my first half marathon.

I stopped to go to the bathroom. When I tried to start running again, nothing wanted to work. My hips and legs were cramping up with every step. I shuffled those last three miles to the finish line, went home, and collapsed for the rest of the day. I didn’t run again for six months.

What went wrong? My training lacked balance.

What is balance?

Balance as a noun means an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright. As a verb, it means to keep or put something in a steady position so it does not fall. When talking about life balance both definitions seem to fit well. You want your engagement to be evenly distributed between the different aspects of your life and at the same time, keep everything, especially the important things, from falling through the cracks.

What does it mean to live a balanced life?

Some will say living a balanced life is like walking a tightrope but that sounds too stressful for me. I prefer to think of it like growing a garden. A good gardener plans what she wants to produce throughout the season. She knows which plants need more care at different times, but doesn’t completely neglect the other plants. She also ensures that anything that might harm the garden is dealt with quickly. She does all this while keeping an eye on the future.

A balanced life is about learning how and where to expend your energy. It’s learning to keep priorities in view while dealing with what life throws at you. It’s about having less stress and more peace; less confusion and more clarity.

 How to Create Balance

Although it will not happen overnight and will take effort, by following a few simple practices you can achieve a sense of balance in your life.

Assess the Situation

Examine the different areas of your life, such as health, family, work, and social. Are some receiving more time and energy than necessary while others are being neglected? Be honest with yourself.

Determine Values

Discover your values

What is most important to you? It could be family, a sense of purpose, or a hobby you are passionate about. Are those values being reflected in how you are spending your time? Which areas of your life need to change to align with your values?

Create Vision

What does a balanced life look like to you? Not how your friends or family think it should look but how YOU think it should look. Create a vision of your balanced life. Write it down, draw a picture, or create a Pinterest board. The more detailed the better.

Make a Plan

What daily, weekly, and monthly actions will you take to achieve your vision of a balanced life? How will those actions get done? Will you put them on the calendar? Set reminders? Remember to start small. One or two actions at a time is plenty.

Set Boundaries

Learn to say no. You will never create balance if you let other people control your time. Communicate your limits respectfully and stick to them. This will help you focus on what truly matters while maintaining your well-being.

Build Connections

Social connections are vital for a healthy life balance. Surround yourself with people who support and encourage you. Join community or online groups that interest you. Enlist someone to hold you accountable for your new actions.

Prepare for Challenges

Life is unpredictable and messy. There will be obstacles and challenges. Think about the things that may derail your progress. How will you overcome them? Preparation will ensure you are ready to face whatever comes along.

Work in Progress Not Perfection

When I began to run again, I would love to say my training looked much different. It didn’t. I did the same thing and ended up with a stress fracture by the end of the year. I had to back out two weeks before my next half marathon. It took me another year before I even began to learn how to create balance in my training. Instead of sticking to a strict schedule, I learned to listen to my body, on long runs I incorporated walk breaks and added weight training and elliptical. Oddly enough I also learned to enjoy running a lot more. Go figure!

Like my running, creating a balanced life is a work in progress. While perfection isn't the goal, striving for balance will enable you to have a more fulfilling, successful, healthier, and enjoyable life. Embrace the journey towards balance and find joy in progress rather than perfection.