When people talk about living a “balanced” life, their more than likely referring to a work-life balance. The truth is, achieving balance in your life involves so much more than just dividing your time between work and your personal life. In fact, the way we often define balance can be misleading, and many of us miss the deeper meaning behind it.
So, what does living a balanced life really mean? And why do so many people misunderstand it?
For most, we have this idea of balance being perfectly managed schedules where time is allocated equally between various responsibilities and passions. This kind of thinking makes it easy to fall into the trap of thinking that if you work 8 hours, you should spend another 8 hours on leisure or family, and the remaining on sleep. I have fallen into this trap so many times, and honestly, I have to work diligently to stay away from this way of thinking. In reality, balance is not about symmetry or giving equal weight to everything. Instead, it’s about alignment and intentionality. It's being in any given moment and deciding what is needed in that day to maintain what is needed in that day. It is understanding that each day requires a different version of "balance". Things change constantly, and so does what we need at any given moment. The real meaning of balance lies in being able to flow with life’s changes and demands without losing your sense of self or well-being.
Unfortunately, this isn't something that you just fall into. You have to be intentional and prioritize making sure that you are living a balanced life. This takes effort. Sometimes, work will require more of your energy and attention. Other times, your relationships, health, or personal growth will need to take center stage. The key is not to try to give everything equal time, but to recognize what’s most important right now and adjust accordingly.
A person living in balance knows when to say "no" to avoid overcommitting themselves and when to say "yes" to opportunities that matter most in that season of life. This also means accepting that certain areas of your life may require less or receive less attention during certain periods, and that’s okay.
Managing your time isn't the only factor in living a balanced life—it also applies to your inner world. Mental and emotional balance is about being connected to your feelings and thoughts without being overwhelmed by them. Heavy on the, "Not being overwhelmed by them"! When we are out of balanced mentally and emotionally, it opens the flood gates to anxiety, worry, stress, and so much more. You may need to put your mental first and step back from social engagements or work pressures to focus on rest. Keeping things in balance requires self-awareness and mindfulness, which means understanding your emotional triggers and responses, and knowing when you need to take a step back to recharge. Guess what this also means? You have to spend time with yourself. Ugghhh, the thought of going within! Lol, I'm joking around because this is something that people really don't prioritize nor see as important but wonder why they are stressed and how can they get rid of it. You have to work on you with as much effort and intention as you work on that job, or anything else that is outside of "self". Finding balance isn't always easy, nor fun.
For this reason, one common mistake is thinking that balance equals happiness or contentment all the time. That’s simply not true. Looking within and seeing what needs work is sometimes disheartening, but if you want to find the peace within, it must be done. Living in balance means that you’re able to move through life’s ups and downs with resilience, recognizing that discomfort, stress, and even pain are part of the journey. It’s about not letting extremes—whether extreme happiness or extreme stress—pull you off-center for too long.
Your physical health is another aspect of balance. People often associate a balanced life with achieving the perfect physical routine—balanced meals, enough sleep, and regular exercise. But just like in other areas of life, this can fluctuate. Sometimes, taking care of your mental health might mean skipping a workout or not adhering strictly to your diet. Now, I'm going to be honest, this is where I struggle the most. Realizing that once I set a routine and finally get some structure in my life, doesn't mean that I prioritize the routine over everything else and refuse to adjust. No matter how great something is, if the need for that moment changes, then so should your "routine". It is okay to change your mind and needs as needed. It is okay to change the value system of what you do from one day to the next, because the value of what you need has also changed.
So why do we struggle with balance? The reason many people possibly struggle with balance is because they are seeking it in the wrong way—trying to achieve perfection or control every area of life simultaneously. Society tends to equate productivity, success, and achievement with balance, which leads to burnout and frustration. Major frustration!
Depending on where you live in the world and the culture you are a part of, you may find that most of us live in a society that glorifies being busy with the added pressure to “have it all”. The constant feeling of not living or being fully accomplished according to societies standards can lead to stress and the feeling of being imbalanced because we’re stretching ourselves too thin. When we try to be everything for everyone—especially at the same time—we lose the essence of what balance truly is.
Living in balance is about being adaptable and intentional. It’s about making conscious choices about how you spend your time and energy, and regularly checking in with yourself to see if your life aligns with your core values and needs. It also means embracing imperfection and understanding that life is full of trade-offs. Balance isn’t achieved by doing everything—it’s found by doing what matters most at any given time, and by accepting that some areas of life may need more focus than others at different stages. It means trusting yourself and honoring your boundaries, listening to your body, respecting your emotional needs, and being flexible enough to shift your priorities without guilt or pressure to meet unrealistic standards.
So, the next time you think about balance, ask yourself: Am I giving myself permission to be flexible? Am I aligned with what truly matters to me, or am I striving to meet external expectations?
Always Remember:
Living in balance is about finding harmony within the ebb and flow of life, not about achieving a perfect state where everything is always equal or perfectly managed. Once we release the unrealistic expectations, we can embrace what it really means to live in balance—living with intention, flexibility, and inner peace.
Love you lots! -Sacred
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