Happy New Year dear readers!
Another year, another goat rodeo to rustle up the nerve for. So what better of a topic to talk about than BALANCE.
I know, I know you've read about it many times. Eat right, meditate, exercise, follow your budget, knit that shit together and you've got yourself sitting in the wind without a hair out of place.
Well, there's a little more to it than that isn't there. We spend a lot of time compartmentalizing the various areas of our lives: relationships, career, money, exercise, health… but the fact is that when one area is out of whack, our whole life can be affected.
I thought I might indulge by telling you a bit about me to set the tone and share some lessons that I have learned along my path for balance.
About Me
The short strokes: I am a dedicated daughter, mother, partner, friend and mentor. I juggle an intense career in healthcare and love to nerd out as a lifelong learner. My superhuman specialties you ask? Pub warrior, defender of the arts, occasional vegetarian, hack photographer, blogger, armchair mountaineer and inflexible yogi.
I am many things to many people with interests, enthusiasm and commitments that far exceed the cruel rigid barriers of a 24 hr clock. Since I was young I have always chosen paths requiring seriously work hard, and at times perhaps selecting rougher roads than I needed to. This approach has at times left me feeling burnt out, demotivated, anxious, trapped and entirely exhausted.
Incorporating a balanced approach to life was the only way I was able to create my version of middle of the road. I have read/seen some excellent articles, books, blogs and videos on establishing routines and attitudes for incorporating greater balance in everyday life - but that is not what this blog is about. I want to talk about the reality of doing it.
Honesty, Intention, Patience, Guts & Humour
It is so easy to blame elements in our life as the causes to our effects. Here are a few causes, anything look familiar?
Demand of everyday tasks to operate home life
Work obligations and deadlines
Financial pressures
Kids schedules
Caring for aging parents
Career changes (by choice or by necessity)
Managing alone due to travelling spouses/partners
However you define your personal cocktail of disruption, I hope the following insights I learned through experience help you find some greater balance in life.
1. Honesty
It has to start with you. Being able to identify what issues are yours and what issues belong to others is essential...but you need to be honest with yourself. If you have been neglecting a big area of your life that needs some TLC, you need to be able to acknowledge this. No excuses. Honesty is the only place to start when looking to integrate a balanced approach into your life.
2. Intention
I have learned that incorporating intention into my goals is the only way to produce a result. Floating through space hoping things will change (and usually those 'things' are other people or circumstances) is going to be a disappointing effort. Change has to happen with you first, so call it out and give it life. Tell people close to you or close to your goal what you are trying to do, who knows. You might find some help and support along the way.
3. Patience
This is not going to happen overnight. Bummer I know. Intentionally manifesting balance produces gains over time with the goal of being 'more balanced than before' as opposed 'balance'. We all get knocked around now and again, however by practicing patience I have found a kinder and more gentle way to caring for myself and other.
4. Guts
Finding balance can most certainly create ripples with some people around you, and not all of them pleasant. Sorry people-pleasers this one isn't the easiest of lessons.
In one of my past 'winters of discontent' I decided to commit myself for one year to Dr. Maslow's definition of self-actualization as the ability to "being independent of the good opinion of others". This was one of the biggest gifts I have ever given to myself. While I do not want to write a dissertation on this concept (you can easily look it up), detaching from what is expected from you is life-changing. When you decide to begin a process of prioritizing what is important to you, there will be losers in those discoveries. It take guts to be ok with that.
5. Humour
My favourite tool is definitely this one. At the end of the day, we are all the same and in that sameness share struggles and goat rodeos that can have feeling both alone in frustration and anger, or finding connection through levity and humour. Our lives are funny and we choose to make a big deal over things that are not worthy of time nor energy talking about it. So cut out the drama, gossip and overall shit disturbing. Your heart and mind will feel lighter for it.
There you have it friends, like you I'm not perfect but a terrific work in progress. All you need to do is pick something and things will start to change! Let me know how it goes, I would love to hear about your adventure.
Here's to a great new year for all of you. I wish for you time with your friends, hugs from loved ones, abundance in life and most importantly, a mad-ass lasso for your rodeo.
~Chantell
Want more? I invite you to learn more about what hypnotherapy and NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) can do to transform your health and life, permanently delete limiting beliefs that are holding you back and propel your momentum FORWARD through regular coaching and support. Please visit the Mindpower Resource Download Store for hypnosis downloads as well as my Events listing for more information.
Chantell Tunney, RHC, C.Ht., MNLP, DSHomMedWith over 20 years of clinical experience in health and mental wellness, I specialize in facilitating the removal of the limiting beliefs and negative emotions that get in the way of living life to its fullest expression.As a board certified clinical Hypnotherapist, Master NLP Practitioner and registered Health Coach I integrate a variety of tools and techniques that support lasting change. To complement my practice, I draw from my experience as both a healthcare executive and clinician. In addition to private practice I work with corporate clients and community partners as a facilitator, educator, speaker and writer specializing in using communication and self-awareness as the buiding blocks for inevitable success.Â