What is Balance?
The order of the day, it seems, is to live a ‘balanced’ life. This is nice and all, but what does it really mean?
By Michael James Wong
We are told the key to living ‘successfully’ is being strong and soft, working hard and playing hard, doing this and doing that. Put into practice though, what does balance really look like, and how can we start living it?
Here are 5 things to consider about finding balance.
1. It is not a destination, or something to achieve
I think we all too often focus on the end goal, the outcome, the potential results of something. It’s natural that we think this way - I think as humans we habitually latch onto the idea that something needs to be achieved, a box needs to be ticked, goals need to be realised. While these are still important, when it comes to living balanced it’s not another tickbox or something you can say “nailed it!”. It’s a life practice like any other, something you consciously work on every day.
2. It is different for all of us
It’s funny reading things like “here’s the secret to a balanced life” or “do these 3 things and you’ll achieve balance”. While there’s definitely value in sharing tools or tips that have helped one person along the way, we need to remember that we are all different. I could sit here and tell you to meditate every single day and turn your phone off for large chunks of time, but that may not be feasible or accessible for you.
3. It is forever moving, adjusting and changing
Balance is dynamic - it’s forever moving, adjusting and changing just as our lives move, adjust and change. It makes sense though - something that brought balance to your life last year might not be the same this year if you, say, changed jobs or moved country or anything that means that thing isn’t conducive to your lifestyle anymore. But that’s okay - as we change, as our lives and circumstances change, the way we find balance should move with it too.
So if you notice that you don’t have time for something you used to do (be it meditation first thing in the morning, or a long walk at lunchtime), don’t beat yourself up about it. See where these might better fit your schedule now, and allow yourself to adapt.
4. It’s about taking one step at a time
Like most things in life, balance takes time and intentional effort. I think we can all fall into the habit of wanting to have the ‘perfectly balanced’ day every day, where we sleep 8 hours, meditate, drink enough water, are really productive at work, eat well, socialise, exercise, keep up with the latest news, social media trends etc etc etc. This may all come in time, but for now, try and take it one step at a time. Consider this: what one thing can you do today that will give you a little space?
5. Not a big picture thing, but in the detail
In the same vein as balance not being a destination, neither is it a big picture thing. I don’t think living in a balanced way needs to involve grand actions like drastically changing your lifestyle or uprooting and moving somewhere else. This might be your bag, and that’s cool, but I think for most of us the beauty of balance is in the small detail. We can make small everyday choices to check in with what we need - whether that’s small incremental uplifts of energy through connection or exercise, or whether it’s gentle moments of quietening.
I like to think of life as like a huge game of jenga. There’s going to be times when everything is good and strong, and moments of wobbles and topples. The fun, I think, comes in those moments.
However, if we approach every day with a sense of presence and calm, we’ll be better equipped to practice living balanced.
MICHaEL jaMES WONG
Michael is a community activist, writer, educator and meditation teacher, he is regarded as a leading voice in the global movement for modern mindfulness. Born in Wellington, New Zealand, raised in Los Angeles, California and is now living in London, his greatest joy in life is building and celebrating strong and meaningful communities. Michael is also the Founder of Just Breathe.
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