Balancing work, family, hobbies, and day-to-day responsibilities can leave you feeling stretched thin. You might wonder how anyone has the time to get it all done. It seems like you can’t afford to pull back in any area, or everything that you’ve worked so hard to build will come crashing down.
You want to find balance, yet your need to stay productive makes it tough to relax or let go of control. Perhaps you’ve been taught that your value lies in working hard, or maybe you struggled for so long to achieve finance al stability that free time feels unnatural.
It’s entirely possible to maintain your productivity, decouple your personal value from professional success, and cultivate a balanced life. These simple strategies can help.
Narrow Down Your Priorities
First, take some time to reflect on what’s most important to you. Set aside what other people think should matter and
think about what you truly value. You might be truly passionate about your job and love spending time with family. But you may have some old hobbies or volunteer obligations that just don’t speak to you anymore. It may be time to let them go to free up space.
Get Clear on Your Goals
Once you’ve determined what you really have time for, consider what you want your future to look like. You may want to carve out space to work towards certain goals now so that you can build the future you really want. However, you can also say goodbye to goals that were imposed on you by other people. Step outside of the things society says you “should” do so you can focus on what you truly want.
Find Purpose Outside of Work
When your purpose is tied up in your job, balance can feel unrealistic. After all, if you’re not a top performer at your job, then you start to question your self-worth.
However, when you have a purpose that’s completely disconnected from your job, you don’t need to work yourself to the bone. Consider what makes you feel most alive and connected to the world around you. Maybe it’s being with your family, helping your friends, planting your garden, baking, making music, or any other passion.
Set Boundaries Around Your Time
It’s not easy to turn down requests or tell other people that you can’t do something. But if you want to find balance in adulthood, it’s necessary. You cannot be everything for everyone, and striving for this will drive you to exhaustion.
You can practice saying “No” by turning down minor requests. Over time, you’ll feel more comfortable saying “No” to bigger asks. In the meantime, you’ll learn what it feels like to say “Yes” to something with enthusiasm. You’ll be able to distinguish the commitments you take on because you really want to, and obligations you agree to because you’re scared to let someone down.
Cut Out Distractions
How much time do you spend scrolling on your phone, watching Netflix, or playing video games? You might be surprised by just how much time these activities are taking up. It’s okay to spend some time vegging out, but if you can cut back on screen time, it’s amazing how your day can expand. You may feel like you’ve suddenly won extra hours in your day.
Screen time can interfere with your attempts to find balance. By using screens responsibly, you can discover a new sense of freedom.
Does it feel like you’re juggling too many responsibilities? Our team is here to help you find balance through holistic therapy. Get in touch to learn more about our flexible counseling options.
Author: Stephanie Saari
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California. I love working with couples and individuals to find strength, growth and empowerment through their struggles and challenges.
