Tips For Finding Balance and Clarity

Sometimes, I feel as though I really struggle with these three things. I find myself often overwhelmed and stressed easily. When I think about it - I'm not really sure if I'm easily stressed or if everything just seems to happen at once.

Here's the thing that I've realized but I still struggle to use this realization to my advantage. It's all about perspective. Life truly is what you make it. Sometimes it's extra hard to make it what you want it to be and you will struggle - as I have the past few months. I know, and have known - that if I don't keep a schedule and I let myself be consumed by what is happening in life (good or bad) that I easily find myself off balance. Getting back to balance is hard - a lot of times it takes a lot of work to catch up on sleep, family time, the home maintenance, etc. To get back to balance I've felt like I needed to get way out of balance just to "catch up"

Well, Here are some of my tips (from my work in progress self) to get life balanced again:

• Unplug – Disconnect for a day. I hear the excuses already, but try it, at least for one day or even a few hours each night. Put the phone down and turn off the computer. Give your work brain a rest. Bonus: Spend the extra time actually interacting with your family and friends! I know for me - I spend WAY too much time on my phone. This is a big goal that I will be working on myself.
• Dump the excess – It’s a given that if your life is overflowing you will never be able to achieve balance and manage it all. It’s just not possible. The less you have to manage the easier things seem to go. Say no to everything that is either not essential or doesn’t add something valuable to your life. Be ruthless!
• Make your health a priority – We hear this over and over again, but usually only give it lip service. We know what we need to do, but it isn’t a priority until we have a health crisis. You make time for your health or you make time for your illness later. Our health really does affect the quality of our lives and our work. We are far more productive and happier when we get enough sleep, eat a little healthier and fit in some type of activity. Schedule your time - stick to your dates.
• Minimize toxins– By that I don’t mean chemicals (though that might help too.) Minimize the negative influences around you. Avoid toxic people (complainers, whiners, poor attitudes.) If you can’t completely avoid them, at least minimize contact and tune them out as much as you can. Surround yourself with positive, supportive, can-do people whenever possible
• Spend time alone – Making time for you is probably the hardest thing to do for the typical overworked and overwhelmed person, but it is crucial for lowering stress, increasing happiness and encouraging creativity. Some things to try; meditate, journal, sketch, do some yoga or simply sit quietly for a few minutes each day and do absolutely nothing.
• Relationships do matter – Set aside quality time with your family and friends. Don’t just sit in front of the television, really connect and pay attention to those you care about. Make a date with your significant other, have coffee with a friend, play a game with a child. Really get to know the people around you.
• Treat yourself– Get a pedicure or a facial. Better yet, schedule a massage. It doesn’t need to be costly; a glass of wine, your favorite coffee or tea, a delightfully scented candle, a bath or beautiful flowers will make a huge impact.
• Explore the world – Take a walk and pay attention to what’s going on around you. Take a new route, visit a new town or try being a tourist in your own. Attend a local performance, play amateur photographer or go to the park and watch children play. They really know how to enjoy life!
• Expand your awareness – Take a class, learn to paint or try something new that you’ve always wanted to learn. Read a book that sparks your interest or try listening to uplifting music. Find what interests you.
• Remember fun – Laugh, joke, play, find your sense of humor, subscribe to a daily joke or get a tear-off calendar. Nothing makes the feel better as fast as a good old-fashioned belly laugh.
• Schedule - I know this isn't for everyone, but it really does help to have a routine. When you follow that routine it makes falling off course with balance that much harder. Take sometime for yourself and plan your day or week.  

I hope that you can find balance again when you struggle with it like I have!

Do you do anything that you find helps your balance? Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo,
Nikki