Finding Healthy Balance in the Hustle

In my previous newsletter, I shared my journey and the importance of finding a healthy balance in the everyday hustle. But what does that mean?

To me, it’s about approaching work and life with a mindset that values both your balance and your well-being. It's also about recognizing that you can work hard and be dedicated to various aspects of your life while equally ensuring that you take time to rest and refuel. Setting boundaries is crucial to avoid burnout.

Finding a healthy balance means acknowledging that while your work is important, so is your physical and mental health.

It involves establishing boundaries to ensure that you don’t sacrifice your personal time or energy for professional demands. This balance means prioritizing self-care, nurturing your relationships, and allowing space for rest and reflection.

I can easily recall times when I didn’t have a healthy balance, which led to a lack of self-care, burnout, and feeling overwhelmed. It may have taken me years to figure it out, but I’ve finally found a way to cultivate this balance, and it’s time to share how others can discover it too.

Let’s start by reflecting on your daily routine. This is where it begins: taking a good look at your day-to-day life to identify where there may be an imbalance. How do you identify it?

You might be feeling...

• Overworked
• Overbooked
• Overcommitted
• Exhausted
• Mentally Drained
• Burnt Out

If any of these words resonate with you, it’s a sign to take time to reflect.

I recently realized that volunteering a few hours a month was causing extra stress because it overlapped with family time—the only day on the weekend when I could get all three of my kids together with their busy schedules and each of them nearly having full-time jobs. After an honest conversation with the lead, we discussed more flexible opportunities that worked better for me and allowed me the time I needed with my kids. It was a guilt-free decision!

I’ll be honest, each day may not be perfectly balanced. But, taking the time to reflect and implement small changes in your week might just be the start to creating that?healthier balance.

Here are a few strategies to consider:

• Set Intentions: At the start of each week, set intentions for balance—whether it’s prioritizing family time or carving out time for self-care. This helps guide your choices.

• Acknowledging Commitments: This could mean looking at the calendar and seeing what consumes too much energy. You might even consider removing it completely.

• Schedule “Me Time”: Block out regular time in your calendar for activities that rejuvenate you—whether it’s reading, exercising, or just relaxing. Treat this time as non-negotiable!
• Practice Mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness into your day, whether through deep breathing or a short walk. It can help reconnect you with your values and priorities.

These strategies have worked for me and others. You may want to start with one at a time and gradually incorporate others in. Like with anything new, it takes practice to establish a new routine, but it’s worth the effort. You’ll begin to feel empowered to strive for the healthy balance you deserved all along!

You got this!

-M