Finding Balance in Everyday Life

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about balance. What is balance? What does it look like? Is it even possible? I’ve named my website Betsy’s Balanced Living, so clearly I do think it’s possible. Today I’m going to share some of my thoughts on balance, what it is and isn’t, and what it can look like for you to have balance in your life.

Miriam-webster.com defines balance (noun) as physical equilibrium; stability produced by even distribution of weight on each side of the vertical axis. As a verb, to bring into harmony or proportion. I like thinking of balance as a verb, and my goal with this post is to help us think of living in balance as living with all our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs being in harmony with one another, and in the right proportion. Let me explain.

Balancing the Physical:

Living a balanced life includes taking care of our physical well-being. This includes regular exercise, a healthy diet, and adequate sleep. This is an area that has been difficult for me. I love working out, but being disciplined in eating has always been my struggle. In this season, this is a big focus for me. I’m currently on day 2 of a 40 day sugar fast that will hopefully help me get my eating back in balance. Physical balance means having the energy and vitality to enjoy life to the fullest. It's about finding the equilibrium between rest and activity, nourishment and indulgence.

Embracing the Emotional:

Our emotional health plays a significant role in achieving balance. It involves understanding and managing our feelings, stress, and relationships. I have a hard time managing my feelings, because most of the time I’m unaware of how I’m feeling. I’ve been a go-getter and really have a hard time stopping to gauge how I’m feeling. This season I’m trying to be more in touch with how I’m feeling, why I’m feeling that way, and what I can do to change my emotional state (if necessary). Stress management has taken on a whole new meaning for me as I stepped out of my ministry role. As I said before, I’m not very in touch with how I’m feeling, but the last few months of being in that ministry role, my body was showing serious signs of stress. While everyone can’t just leave the cause of their stress like I did, being aware of what’s causing stress, and working to make adjustments will go a long way in alleviating it, and reducing the physical toll it takes on your body. Relationships also have a huge emotional impact on our lives. Prioritizing them and nurturing them while at the same time setting boundaries for them are all important to your emotional health. Emotional balance means being resilient in the face of life's challenges and finding joy in its simple pleasures. It's about acknowledging our emotions, both positive and negative, and responding to them in a healthy way.

Nurturing the Spiritual:

As a follower of Jesus, this is my first priority. Spending time in the Word, praying, belonging to a local church, investing in fellowship and serving are all important parts of a believer’s life. For me, if this area is not my number one priority, everything else gets out of balance very quickly. The first thing I do is make coffee, and then open my phone to the YouVersion Bible app, and go through the Verse of the Day and the Guided Prayer. I then do my Bible Reading; this year I’m reading through the entire Bible chronologically. Later, after a workout, shower, breakfast, and some work, I will spend time on whatever Bible Study I am doing. Even though I am no longer working at church, I still regularly attend on Sundays, and serve there, leading a women’s Bible Study and serving in childcare so mom’s can attend Bible Study.

Striking the Right Proportion:

Balance is not about devoting equal time and effort to every aspect of our lives every day. It's about setting your priorities and then finding the right proportion that suits our individual needs and circumstances. What are your priorities, and how much time do you need to spend on each one? Some days, work or family may demand more of our attention, while other days, self-care and relaxation take precedence. The key is to be flexible and adaptive, recognizing that there are seasons where priorities change. This season, Jesus is my number one, my family is number two, my physical health is number three, and work is number four.

Challenges and Roadblocks:

Achieving and maintaining balance isn't always easy. I don’t think I’m there yet, but I’m in a season of trying to recognize what balance can look like in this season, and learn to set up boundaries to help me keep my priorities in order. Life can throw us off balance with unexpected challenges, busy schedules, or personal crises. It's essential to recognize that balance is an ongoing process, and setbacks are a natural part of it. What matters is our commitment to reestablishing equilibrium.

Conclusion:

In a world that often pulls us in multiple directions, finding balance is both an art and a science. Is balance possible? I’m think it is, and I’m working towards it. Balance doesn't mean perfection but rather the continuous effort to harmonize our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. It's about embracing the ebb and flow of life while striving for equilibrium. So, take a moment to reflect on your own life. Where areas do you need more balance in, and what steps can you take to achieve it?