Balancing Act
By prioritizing self-care, setting boundaries, and finding joy in the small moments, you can create a fulfilling and enjoyable life
By Ben Timmermans, Representative
As you navigate the demands of work, family, and other responsibilities, finding balance can feel like an impossible task. With the constant pressure to do more and be more, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and burnt out.
However, it’s crucial to find ways to balance your work and personal life so you can live a fulfilling and enjoyable life.
3 Ways to Find Balance
1. Prioritize self-care
Self-care can take many forms, such as exercise, meditation, or spending time with loved ones. Carve out time in your schedule to focus on your physical, mental, and emotional health. By taking care of yourself, you can better handle the demands of work and family life.
2. Set boundaries
Establish limits on your time and energy, so you can focus on what’s most important to you. For example, you can limit your work hours or commit to spending more quality time with your family each week. By setting boundaries, you can ensure that you’re using your time and energy in ways that align with your values and priorities.
3. Find joy in the small things
Sometimes, it’s the small things in life that bring us the most happiness. I have three young kids and as parents know, while they can be a lot of work, they can also be a source of immense joy. I have often spent time reflecting on the play time I’ve had with my kids and smiling back at happy memories that add joy to my life.
I remember a time when my work demands were high, and I felt like I was constantly running on fumes. I was putting in long hours at the office, and when I came home, I was too exhausted to engage with my kids.
One evening, as I was sitting on the couch, scrolling through some work emails on my phone, my kids came up to me and begged me to have a pillow fight with them.
At first, I was hesitant. I had a lot of work to do, and I felt guilty for not spending that time on my professional responsibilities. However, I decided to put my phone away and engage with my kids.
We had an epic pillow fight that lasted for over an hour, and I laughed harder than I had in months.
In that moment, I realized the importance of finding joy in the small moments. Yes, work is important, but so is spending quality time with my family. By engaging with my kids, I was able to connect with them on a deeper level and create long-lasting memories.
In fact, our pillow fight has now become a much sought after nightly routine. My kids can’t wait to get done brushing their teeth before bed so they can have a pillow fight with dad!
This experience taught me that finding balance is not about neglecting one area of our lives for the sake of another. It’s about finding ways to integrate all aspects of our lives in a way that brings us joy and fulfillment. It’s about prioritizing what’s most important to us and setting boundaries that allow us to focus on those things.
Yes, finding balance is a challenge, but it’s not impossible. By prioritizing self-care, setting boundaries, and finding joy in the small moments, you can create a fulfilling and enjoyable life.
Sometimes, it’s the simple things, like engaging in a pillow fight with your kids, that remind you that joy can be found in the midst of your hectic and busy life.