What to do when life becomes unbalanced…

Now is the time to look at life, 

as it is right now, in this moment. 

With neither harsh self-judgement, 

or rose tinted glasses. 

Life is not static. 

Every day is a new day, 

with fresh opportunities, 

and new ways to find harmony. 

Just because the balance 

wasn’t right today, 

doesn’t mean the balance 

can’t be better tomorrow. 

Causes of imbalance 

Why do we feel guilty for not doing some things, or for life becoming unbalanced? It’s normal! Life has its ups and downs, throwing challenges our way which can throw us off balance. Sometimes we get caught up in the daily grind and it feels like we’re only just holding it all together.

It’s also common to unconsciously overdo it in many areas of life—socialising, working, eating, exercising, shopping, sleeping etc. Perhaps we are even doing so much for others that we ourselves have become drained. Our self-control can be easily impacted by stress.

Other times we might be masking the need to feel sadness, grief, vulnerability or disappointment. The causes of feeling out of balance are unique to us and can change over time. 

Exploring what balance means to you 

What does balance mean to you? What is the healthy limit of what you are engaged in? Where might you be overdoing it? Balance is not about denial—it’s about allowing ourselves to live fully and freely. Can we enjoy doing pleasurable things without overdoing it? This could also include objectively healthy habits—such as exercising. We may have to cut something out completely because it’s too difficult to have in our lives without limitation. Does your life feel balanced? What areas of life do you feel good about? Which are problem areas? 

What to do about it 

Sometimes we are stopped in our tracks by external factors, which can also be a fantastic way to rebalance. Sometimes we ourselves have to put the brakes on completely in order to reset and recalibrate. We may have the willpower to do this alone, or we might need to ask for help or find a support network. Become conscious of what is going on—it feels easier to bury your head in the sand, but can you step outside of yourself and look at things objectively? 

Spend some time reflecting today and taking stock, journalling where you are right now, and where you want to go next.

Taken from The Serenity & Solace Journal