I Sometimes Feel Like I May Burst…

Darling, I daydream as I wait for my Ultimate Concierge to finish his dental appointment. I think to myself, “I can hardly believe what I was able to accomplish in the past two weeks, but not without experiencing that gut-wrenching physical and emotional feeling that I was going to burst. This is not good.”

Yes, I got everything done—but at what price? I thought to myself “I am clearly in need of an intervention.” Then, I look down at my red kabbalah string tied around my wrist and realize that while it guards and protects me, it doesn’t have the power to teach me how to live a balanced life. I know it is up to me. God help me!

I have a feeling that many of you are in the same boat to some degree. Especially after living during this COVID-19 pandemic and long quarantine. So many hats we have to wear… and so much tumult in between that jumps out of nowhere!

Responsibilities…

And as I am deep in thought writing this, America rubs up against my leg signaling me that he wants to go out or cuddle. But, I owe e-mails to a dozen people. I have thank-you notes that are piling up… Sound familiar?

I want to master the clock and be on top of my responsibilities and be organized. I want to stop feeling like I am on overload.

So what to do? Here’s what I decided to do—informed by the tried-true common sense I have developed and honed over my long, rich, and tumultuous life.

5 Ways to Embrace Balance

1. If something can be done in five minutes, I am not going to procrastinate.

Nike has it right. I’m going to make their mantra, Just Do It, mine. I always want to put the little things off, but they add up. When I let all the little five-minute things pile up, they put me in burst mode, not balance mode. So instead, I will try and discipline myself and channel the feeling of relief I’ll get from knowing something is done.

2. Own my choices.

I am going to learn to say, “This will not work out for me.” It will be hard to get out, but it conveys everything. In other words, “I will not let myself fall into martyrdom.” I will feel less beleaguered. I will have more time to do what I need or want to do. And, I know I will feel more balanced if I can achieve this goal.

3. What about physical and mental energy?

A few days ago I had deadlines. You, too, have deadlines for this or that reason. I ask myself, “What part of the day do I have the most mental and physical energy to accomplish what’s most important?” Well, I am freshest in the morning. The only thing I will do before I start my daily responsibility of writing is to make a fresh pot of coffee. I will resolve to do a few hours of non-stop writing before I take on my easy tasks, like making phone calls, sending out emails, hitting the treadmill, and so on. I know I will feel so much more in balance—and energized—with a new routine where I put the most important things first.

Am I getting to you, dear reader? Are you seeing yourself on a clearer path to achieving balance rather than burst?

4. I will say to myself, “I can allow myself to quit if I am not fulfilled.”

If you are not fulfilled, I say quit. Why? We can use the time for something we enjoy, like spending more time with our family.

5. I will simplify my elective burdens.

Once, when I was feeling out of balance, my daughter asked me to make my delicious guacamole for an event. I decided I should lighten my load instead of making my life more difficult. So, I thanked her for loving my recipe and explained to her that I was overloaded and will instead bring my favorite brand of guacamole. My burden was less, and I had more balance in my life and I felt good. Makes sense?

Every Day Is Different

I know every day cannot be balanced in a day… or even a week or a month. I am a realist. But our days can be more in sync with the few easy ideas I listed. I already feel emotionally and physically better. Now all I have to do is just do it—balance or burst!

How do you stay balanced in your life? Let me know your ideas in the comments at the bottom of this page!