The Myth of a Balanced Life: Insights from a Life Coach
What is really possible?
Just the words “balanced life” leads to visions of calmness and serenity. It feels elusive perhaps even fairy tale like for many of us. Simply doing an internet search will leave you with hundreds of articles with as many opinions on how to make it a reality. It can feel frustrating and discouraging when you are doing all the work, but unable to achieve your goal. However, as a seasoned life coach, I propose that the idea of a perfectly balanced life might be a myth worth reconsidering. In this article, we will explore the complexities of life balance and discuss why embracing imbalance can lead to a more authentic life.
The world balance brings to mind old world scales that imply an equal distribution of time, energy, and attention across all as aspects of your life: work, family, health, social life, service to others and personal growth. This concept, while appealing, is not feasible and can cause you to have unrealistic expectations that lead to feelings of guilt, inadequacy, and constant striving.
The Power of Priority
The truth is life is unpredictable and attempting to maintain a perfect balance can be both counterproductive and exhausting. Instead of seeking to have a one-size-fits-all balance, I encourage my clients to use the power of priority in their everyday lives. Rather than trying to give equal weight to every aspect of their daily life I challenge them to focus on identifying the non-negotiable areas of their life. By recognizing what is most important, you can intentionally allocate your time and energy in a way that aligns with your priorities. This helps you stay authentic to who you are and what is important to you.
Embracing Imbalance
Life coach and author Tony Robbins once said, “Where focus goes, energy flows.” This statement highlights how energy distribution in our lives can shift. There will be times when work demands more attention, while other moments might require a deeper investment in personal health or relationships. Embracing the ebb and flow of how you distribute your time and energy allows you to be present and fully engaged in whatever aspect of life needs you to show up as your best self in that moment. It is interesting to note that many of my clients have noticed that during periods of so-called “imbalance,” that they have experienced the most growth and transformation. Imbalance can spark innovation, creativity, and purpose. It can also highlight things that are no longer important or necessary in one’s daily life. It is in these moments that we stretch beyond our comfort zones often discovering more of who we were created to be or what is most important to us. It can leave us amazed at how fulfilled and purposeful we feel when we focus on what is most important to us, not someone else’s version of priority.
Finding Your Unique Rhythm
Life is not predictable, nor is it perfect. It is messy and will require constant adjustment. As a life coach, I emphasize the importance of finding your unique rhythm—one that resonates with your individuality, values, and goals. This rhythm might involve periods of intense focus on work, followed by intentional rest to recharge. It might mean choosing to immerse yourself in family activities for a time before devoting energy to personal pursuits. The beautiful part is, you get to make the choice every single day on who or what will get your most focused attention.
What are your priorities?
In a world that glorifies the myth of a perfectly balanced life, I help clients learn freedom to live their life focused on their priorities. By prioritizing what matters most to you, recognizing the ebb and flow of life and cultivating the goals that matter to you, you can create a life that is rich, meaningful, and aligned with your authentic self. Remember, it’s not about balancing every scale perfectly, but about showing up fully for who and what matters most to you.
Author: Chel Garrison is a Life and Emotional Intelligence Coach at Two Roads Wellness Clinic. She can help you perform at your fullest. It is amazing the progress you can make simply by choosing to be intentional and focus on a goal! She is here to help you do just that. Get started today!
About Two Roads Wellness Clinic
At Two Roads Wellness Clinic, we want to help you find the path that makes a difference in your life. We’re an integrative health clinic offering a vast array of services including, mental health treatments such as EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), expressive arts therapy, family therapy, medication management, primary care, integrative nutritional support including genetic nutritional counseling, life coaching, massage therapy, physical therapy, infrared sauna services, community education and outreach, and more.
The Two Roads Wellness Clinic team of therapists, medical and nutrition staff, massage therapists, life coaches, physical therapists, and emotional support animals are ready to help you find an integrated approach to your wellness. To schedule an appointment, visit our contact page, to get started at one of our convenient locations in Champaign, Danville, Mahomet or Covington.