Balance. We hear that word thrown around a lot. Everyone is consistently exercising it, or aiming for it, or drowning in the expectations of it. We look for balance in our everyday lives, from work to home life, to social and rest needs, to schedules and deadlines. I cannot lie - the act of balancing is difficult. But you already knew that!

When looking to strike that “perfect” balance, my first thought is work to home life. Like many people since the pandemic, I work from home the majority of days, so those two are far more connected than ever before. It is easy to let one end slip, and you are left with a mess or a loaded inbox. My best way to ensure I can cross off those to-do lists or keep a calm space I do what I like to call a “10-minute reset”. Typically, I call across the room to my Alexa to set a timer and ask her to play music. My rule is that I only have 10 minutes, and not a minute more, to complete the task needed. I conquer the inbox or grab a basket and go around my home, picking up anything that is not in its correct space. If I still have time, I hang up those stubborn clothes that haven’t made their way back into the closet from that bedroom chair or refill my water bottle for a fresh start back to work. Allowing this break during the day or before bed helps me to be motivated and have a clear mind to conquer what is next.

I have always struggled with the balancing act of being physically active. I told myself one of the first things I would do once I got to Alexandria was to join a workout studio and stick with it. Stylebook made that decision very easy for me as one of my first days on the job, I was thrown into a live workout on Instagram with Dr. Megan of Mind the Mat. Well, like so many others, I was hooked! I signed up for a few classes here and there to get my bearings and now feel like I have a schedule of classes I genuinely look forward to. You can find me taking Pilates Boot Camp, HAWT Pilates, or a yoga class a few times a week. On days when I want to be solo in my workout, I love to walk in my neighborhood. I take an hour to listen to a podcast or call a friend and catch up. When I combine these two actions, it fills my cup. I promise myself that if I’m in a funk or down, I put my sneakers on and just walk. This was my saving grace during the pandemic, and I’m keeping this in my routine forever. I show up for myself because it changes my mental outlook, thus helping everything else.

But with being active or social, I know when I need to rest and recharge. Ask any of my friends or family - I believe big in the power of naps. If I could nap every day, man, I’d do it! Just 30 minutes before a dinner out with friends or after a really tough workout really boosts my character. Our brains and bodies can truly only recover while we sleep. Sleep is needed to function, and based on how much we get of it determines our days and lives. For me personally, I have to say no to things to create a balanced sleep schedule. Whether that is saying no to the early morning workout one day a week to get more time asleep or getting a raincheck for a dinner when I feel drained and need to stay home and recharge. This balance is tricky, especially since we are all wanting to reconnect and be out in our communities again. My best practice to win this is scheduling.

I love to schedule the important things for my week in advance. On Sundays, I take out my paper calendar and my phone calendar and input everything I have going on. I time block for work, fitness, personal time, and other activities. These are work deadlines, when and where I am going to exercise, time away from my computer and phone, and reminding myself to reach out and catch up with my friends and family throughout the week. Events or needs that do not make their way onto my calendar slip between the cracks and, more than not, do not happen. This ensures I have my priorities in check and can do exactly what I want within my day. I find the best way to stay organized is to write it all done in one place. My little secret is to use a pencil because even if I scheduled something for Tuesday at 10am, I can move that activity or appointment to make my day easier. Schedules and routines aren’t supposed to be complicated or tedious; with a bit of effort, you can create what works best for you.

via Penny Post

To strike a balance, you have to know what is important. We all prefer and want different things out of our day. Those decisions from getting take out or preparing a meal, staying up late or getting in bed early, to pushing yourself or giving yourself grace for one more day is where the magic happens. Taking the day one decision at a time will help to make the balancing act seem less scary and demanding. So how do you strike a balance?