I have come to learn that a work-life balance isn't actually one dimension or one spectrum,
With work on one end and life on the other.
It is more like four dimmer switches,
Side by side,
One for career and money,
One for social and family,
One for hobbies and creativity,
And one for health and fitness.
You simply can't have all of them turned up to 100 at the same time.
When you're younger,
Maybe your career dial was cranked up as high as it could go as you start making money and building your career.
Maybe you also prioritize fitness or a hobby.
And then life shifts.
For example,
For me,
When I went on my maternal leave,
My career and money dial dropped to zero,
While the family dial shot up past 100,
Leaving no room for hobbies or personal time.
Now that my kids are a little older,
I've turned my career dial back up,
Added some focus on fitness,
And even carved down some space for hobbies again.
But the problem?
They're all hovering around 8%.
And that's not balance,
That's exhaustion.
It is unrealistic,
And it's hideously.
And maybe you're the same position.
The key is to find a sustainable setting for each.
For a job,
You need to turn up the career dial,
Maybe down the hops.
If you want to work part-time,
Something else has to give.
Society tells us we should have it all,
And sure,
You can have it all,
But not all also at the same time.
Not unless you're willing to sacrifice sleep and unsafe.
So maybe that all-time-consuming hobby has to wait until your kids are old.
Maybe workouts shrink to 30 minutes at home instead of folded ones for a month.
Whatever the myths,
If you try to max out on all four dials at once,
You will likely run out,
Get sick,
Or feel constantly stressed for a combination of them.
And if you stay at the wrong combination for too long,
You might feel unfulfilled.
The trick is to regularly check in.
Where are the dials right now?
And is this next serving you in this season of life?
So today,
I'd like to take this moment actually to exercise in a visualization to find some clarity which of these four dimensions are dominant in your life,
And if your unique combination works for you or requires an adjustment.
So let's find a comfortable position.
You can do this seated or lying down.
Whatever feels best for you.
Now gently close your eyes and take a deep breath in and out.
Let your shoulders soften and your jaw release the tension.
There's nothing needed to do right now,
But just be here in this moment fully present with yourself.
Start by focusing on our breath.
We inhale slowly through our nose for a count of four.
And then we hold gently and exhale.
So let's breathe in one,
Two,
Four,
And hold it.
Two,
Three,
Four,
Exhale.
One,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Let's do that again.
One,
Two,
Three,
Four,
And hold it.
Two,
Three,
Four,
And exhale.
Two,
Three,
Four.
Now feel yourself settling with each breath,
Releasing today's stress and distractions.
Notice the surface beneath you and supporting your body.
With every exhale,
Imagine tension melting down through your body and into the earth.
And release the weight of your worries,
Doubts,
And expectations into the surface below.
Now gently bring your attention to the space around your heart.
Imagine warmth and peace filling that space as you breathe,
And as your breath tends to flow smoothly and naturally.
Now I'd like you to imagine in front of you a panel with four dimmer switches.
Each representing a different area of your life.
The first one is career and money.
Second one,
Social and family.
Third one,
Hobbies and creativity.
And the fourth one,
Health and fitness.
Now notice the positions of each dimmer switch right now.
Maybe one is dialed up to 100.
Maybe another one is barely met.
Perhaps somewhere in the middle.
Take a moment to observe without judgment.
What does this current combination feel like in your body?
Does it feel balanced,
Energized,
Or a little overwhelming?
Now ask yourself,
Does this combination serve me in this season of life?
Are there switches that are dialed too high and need to be lowered?
Leading to exhaustion and stress.
Or are some switches maybe dialed too low,
Leaving me unfulfilled?
If it feels right,
Gently adjust the switches in your head.
Maybe you will lower the career switch slightly,
To make some space for family,
Hobbies,
Or maybe a nudge to help one out to prior to a sulk.
As you make these adjustments,
Remind yourself that balance doesn't have perfection.
It's about finding a sustainable combination that supports your well-being.
You have the permission to shift these dials at any time as life changes.
Just take a deep breath in,
And acknowledge this new thought clearly.
And exhale,
Releasing any guilt or pressure to do it all.
Or bring your attention back to your breath,
And notice how grounded the fear and hope can become.
Know that you can turn this visualization in it,
To reassess and readjust as life evolves.
When you're ready,
Gently wake up your fingers and toes,
And take one more deep breath.
And when you feel comfortable,
Open your eyes.
Carry this sense of freedom and self-consciousness as it is.
