creating space for a balanced life
“There’s no such thing as true balance.” My mouth was hanging open the day my pastor uttered these words. In a world where you and I are juggling all the things — work, relationships, kids or grandkids, health, and even a little fun — it just feels like living a balanced life should be easier, shouldn’t it? The fact is that balance is at times a hard-fought war. Obligations and to-do lists are competing challenges to find the space to live with balance and margin. And if you’re anything like me, you often feel overwhelmed before you realize that you’re craving a slower pace, more balance, and rest. If you’ve been feeling ready to create space for yourself to grow in faith and live with intention, then I’ve got you covered.
Redefining balance
I had more questions than answers when I first heard my pastor talk about balance. He used the example of a fulcrum (think teeter totter with a moveable base). The idea is that finding balance depends on your season. In some seasons balance looks like spending more time at work or with your family. In other seasons, balance looks like a focus on your health. I don’t know about you, but I had an AHA moment that day. I could give myself permission for an imperfect balance — a balance dictated by the season I was experiencing in life. To be honest, there was freedom in not keeping all things equal but giving myself permission to technically be “unbalanced” depending on my season.
Creating space for a balanced life
Like me, you may have questions. Questions like “How do I know what balance looks like?” “What season am I really in?” and “How do I let go of all the things I’m juggling?” The reality is that life balance is not necessarily found in our to-do lists. Creating space is not as easy as just crossing off a few items to be done. Finding life balance from the inside out is more about understanding who God created you to be and what He has for you in this season of life. And if that feels just as confusing as when we started, I’ve got a few tips for you that might help…
Do an honest assessment
One of my favorite tools to go through with new clients is called the Life Wheel Assessment. This tool asks participants to take an honest look at 8 different areas of their lives. Everything from faith to career to relationships to fun. The tool asks us to rate on a scale of 1-10 how content/satisfied we are with this area of life. By the end, you trace some semblance of a wheel (in any color you may choose). Almost 100% if the time, your life wheel is not a perfect wheel and would roll nowhere — but that’s kind of the point. The object is not to work on all the areas to make it a perfect wheel, but to discern which area needs your attention right now.
Discover your values
One of the best ways to figure out what to say yes and no to is to discover your life values. I have an assessment I use with 1:1 coaching clients, but if you just google values, you’ll find lists of values and possibly some tools for you to discover what’s important to you. Our values tend to be the things we’re already prioritizing without even thinking. When it comes to your values there are no right or wrong answers. It’s more about what are the guiding principles you want to steer your life with. Once you identify these, it may be easier to move your fulcrum and determine what balance looks like in your current season.
slow down & journal
I know, I know! I can hear you from here. Mostly because I have the same thoughts. If you’re anything like me, journaling just doesn’t come naturally. It feels more like a chore, than a sacred rhythm I can incorporate. Here’s a couple of ideas for those of us who are journaling adverse. First, you can start with a guided journal that asks the questions. I just received Emily Freeman’s The Next Right Thing journal on decision making and I’ve also been using Annie F. Downs’ Let’s Read the Gospels for my Bible reading time. There are tons out there, so find one that works for you. Second thought. If you like drawing or doodling, considering drawing what’s going on with you instead of writing it out in a letter to God. One I love to do from time to time is draw a heart and write down everything going on in my heart on the inside. Super simple. Bottom line: journal in a way that’s doable and consistent for you.
Creating space and finding balance takes intentional thought and next steps. And to be honest, there are times that I have no idea how to find what balance looks like. If that’s you, then I’d love to invite you to our next group coaching workshop on Saturday March 8th. In this workshop we’ll:
Clarify your priorities: Uncover what’s most important in your life and how to align your time and energy around it.
Cultivate balance: Learn how to set healthy boundaries, manage your energy, and create sustainable rhythms for work, relationships, and self-care.
Simplify your life: Let go of what no longer serves you, both internally and externally, to make room for what brings joy, purpose, and growth.
Live from the inside out: Embrace practices that nourish your mind, body, and spirit, allowing you to thrive in every area of life.
Sound intriguing? Join other like-minded women for this special workshop by registering today!
