Finding Balance is Like Cleaning Out Your Closet

Today, I was looking at my closet and it’s like my life right now: a little crazy. It’s a little off balance. Three months ago, I had my second child, and my life has changed….just a bit. Finding balance can be a challenge, but a light bulb went off when I was looking at my closet. I remembered what I told myself a couple years ago. Balance isn’t about finding a way to manage everything, but instead a matter of finding a way to eliminate the stuff you don’t need or want. It’s only when we cut the fluff and release the burdens that we really experience a feeling of, “I got this.” Let’s explore this a bit further.

Balance Requires Getting Rid of the Things That Don’t Serve Us Anymore

I have shirts, pants, purses, wallets, shoes, scarves, hats, and other things that I simply don’t wear. There’s stuff I haven’t worn in years! Why do I keep it? Ultimately, I think I might use it at some point, so I hold onto it. Sometimes, I even have an emotional connection to the item. It’s agonizing going through stuff, isn’t it? For a while now, I’ve learned the importance of getting rid of things that don’t serve me. When we do that, a huge weight is lifted off of our shoulders. Releasing things like clothes (or even relationships) allows us to move forward. We can think clearly. It allows us to experience feelings of being calm, steady, and accomplished. We feel that sense of balance.

Balance: Keeping What We Truly Love

In your closet, you have that dress, or that shirt that just makes you feel so good when you put it on. It’s 100%, without a doubt, a keeper. In your life, you have hobbies, interests, relationships, and parts of your life that are 100% keepers. There’s no way you could imagine life without them. Those people or things are what you need to prioritize. Everything else may need to go. You don’t want to waste your time and energy on anything that doesn’t bring you peace. 

Simplify and Minimize to Find Balance

I have to be honest with you. You know what bugs me about shopping? It complicates things. It’s just more “stuff” that I really don’t need. It’s more organizing that I have to do. When my mom gives me a bunch of stuff for the kids over and over again, I feel overwhelmed. I know she’s just being the spoiling grandma she is, but they really don’t need it. Holidays? Birthdays? Holy cow it gets overwhelming. It just feels wasteful to me. I feel the happiest and most in balance when my family has just what we need. How about you?

You Can’t Experience Balance if You’re Trying to Do It All and Be It All

I’ve had to make some really difficult decisions over the last couple years. When I woke up, had my health improve, and started exploring the various passions I have, I became overwhelmed. I tried to dabble. I tried to do a little bit of everything, but you know what? I started feeling the way I did when I was sick with my thyroid dysfunction. Lines had to be drawn, and choices had to be made. Creating role strain and general overwhelm isn’t worth it. Having your hand in too many things at once is going to create imbalance. Period. Choose wisely, or you’ll end up like this guy (well, at least feeling that way).

Finding Balance Requires You to be a Picky Little Bee With an Itch

We only have so many hours in a day, so many days in a year, and so many years in our life. When you’re trying to figure out what you should spend your time on, consider what you want your life to look like someday when you think back on it. I started feeling guilty about the time I was losing with my son when I started trying to do too many things. I knew I needed to cut back. My daughter was born in July, and having two children has now made me even more picky about where my time and energy goes. Be picky.

Ask for Help

I wouldn’t be able to do my writing or my coaching if I didn’t ask people to help me watch my kids. My son goes between school and grandparents for a few hours each day during the week, and my husband takes my daughter as much as he can when he’s home. Last year, I hired my friend to babysit a couple times a week to get work done. Whatever help you need, ask for it.

Some Things Can Wait; Some Things Can’t

I have had to let the dishes go, and let laundry pile up. I have had to choose the important thing I know I really need to do (and want to do) over cleaning up the house. The house, chores, and other fluffing can wait. The things that you know in your heart are most important; do those first. Make time for those.

It’s Time to Clean Out the Closet

If you find yourself spending more time agonizing over a list of things to do than actually living your life, then something needs to change. Something needs to go. Standards need lowered, roles need reduced, relationships need cut, or you need more support. It’s time to clean out the closet!

If You Need Help Finding Balance, I Know This Girl….

I’ve been through some difficult times, and I know what it’s like to be completely overwhelmed and lose your health because of it. If you’re feeling that way, and need someone to hold you accountable to creating balance in your life, I’m your lady. Contact me with the form below! Let’s get it done….together!