Let’s Talk About Balance

By: Anna Fuller

It seems easy to try to balance activities or responsibilities in life. You may have work,

doctors appointments, house responsibilities, school, relationships, and the list goes on.

This sounds manageable, right? Not necessarily. You may be juggling life and

wondering “why is this so hard? My friends all seem to have their lives together”.

Learning to manage your time in a way that prevents burnout isn’t simple. But it is

possible—with a shift in perspective. How can you make balancing time easier?

1. Rethink what balance is.

Traditionally, balance looks like giving equal time and energy into the things in

your life. That is unrealistic and exhausting. When we start to view balance as a

fluid rather than fixed, it becomes easier to align time in a meaningful way.

2. Learn the difference between alignment and juggling.

Aligning something is when you put your time/efforts/energy into their appropriate

relative positions based on your needs and priorities. Juggling requires you to

keep everything going at once—and if one thing drops, the whole act collapses.

When your time is aligned instead of juggled, your time becomes more

intentional. This mindset can reduce being overwhelmed and burnout.

3. Set boundaries.

In order to align your time effectively, you must set boundaries. It is important to

protect the times set aside for rest, self-care, or focus. It is okay to say, “That

doesn’t work for me right now”. Boundaries are not selfish. They are essential.

4. Rest verse relaxation.

Rest and relaxation are not the same, but you need both. Resting allows you to

reduce physical and mental fatigue which helps restore your energy. Relaxing

allows you to reduce stress and anxiety which replenishes your mood and

enhances your overall well-being. Make sure to set aside time for both

throughout your day or week. They serve different but equally important

purposes in maintaining your mental health.

Balance doesn’t mean getting everything right. It means being present in your

life—responding to what you need, not just what you think you should be doing. When

our times align with our needs, we can be more intentional and fulfilled. It might take

some trial and error. This includes messy schedules, setting boundaries, and making

difficult decisions. You will find a rhythm that works for you.