Balance. There’s a lot of hype around the word and whether we call it harmony, flow or some other term, there really is no one word to convey that rhythm we crave. The feeling is unique to all of us mamas and for me its important to step back and check in every once and a while and ask, Is this still working? What can I change? What do I need more of? And the hardest, what do I need to let go of? I contemplate these questions on the regular and while I accept that it’s impossible to find balance in the day to day, here are a few ways I approach balance in the bigger picture.
mindset practices and morning routine
Most mornings, I try to wake up before my kids and do my regular routine. I drink water, listen to a light podcast or meditation, jot down a few things and wash my face. It’s quick to get the kids, who lately don’t wake up with a calming smile on their face but more an urgent I am hungry, get me out of this crib asap tone. Like any other mom, my day quickly expedites from quiet and peaceful to utter noise and chaos. And it’s easy to lose that centered feeling I was so confident in carrying minutes prior.
But I still do the same mindset practices and morning routine. Because though it doesn’t prevent hard days, because even when I surrender to the chaos, it keeps this little river of calm flowing through me. And though I do still lose my cool, I am much quicker to snap back into confidence and get grounded.
a healthy ebb and flow
When it comes to juggling work, motherhood, social life (and and and), there is no such thing as balance in my day to day. But, when I look at my schedule by the month, it feels really good. I wish I could say every day was the same. Every day was predictable in all departments, but that’s just not real (for me anyway). Instead I look at what’s going on for the week. Is it comfortable and in flux? Sometimes no, and sometimes that’s okay. But over the course of 4 weeks, I usually feel like everything ebbs and flows in a healthy way. And it does indeed feel, balanced.
time to refuel
It’s hard to take care of myself with two other people to look after. But I’ve realized that taking time to refuel is the most important thing I can do. I need to fill my cup so I can fill theirs. I don’t do something nice for myself every day. Nor every week. But if I feel off. Like I’m losing control, zoom out. And ask myself what I need to do for me. Even if its 10 minutes of quiet. Or a quick morning walk. That is enough to refuel. And I am always a better mom for it. Better wife. Better human. That helps me not achieve but become closer to balance.
staying present
Whether I’m at the playground with my kids, working, or indulging in me-time, I try to be completely present in what I’m doing in that very moment. Easier said than done of course ;)
For me finding “balance” is about staying centered, grounded, and just feeling good about where my energy is going. As cliche it is to say, life is a dance and it really is about finding a rhythm that works.
