Is Your Life Out Of Balance?
It’s no secret that there are times in everyone’s life when things just feel…off. I think many of us have or will experience periods where we don’t exactly feel like ourselves, or are so stressed that it’s all we can do to keep our head above water. Oftentimes we are so immersed in our daily lives that it can be hard to even step back and recognize the fact that something is wrong. We keep moving, keep trudging along, until it’s painfully obvious that something needs to change. Recognizing and accepting that things are out of balance in your life seems to be half the battle. So how do you recognize when things are off, and more importantly, how do you start to fix it?
Signs That You’re Out of Balance
You know yourself better than anyone else, so sometimes all it takes is pausing to step back and observe your own behavior. And, if you know the right questions to ask yourself, it becomes a lot easier to pinpoint what is throwing your life out of whack.
- Have you been fighting with your significant other more often?
- Are you more reactive to things that may have not bothered you so much in the past?
- Are you feeling sad many days in a row? Are you having more “blah” days than normal?
- Do you find it hard to do simple tasks? Are you less motivated than normal?
- Are you obsessing over small things?
- How often are you doing the things that make you happy? Have you seen friends or picked up your favorite hobby lately?
- Is your body trying to tell you something? Are you feeling fatigued or sore and ignoring it?
- Are you working long hours, or is your work causing you undue stress?
- Have you let your normal routine fall to the wayside?
- Are you eating less healthy or not getting any exercise?
What To Do About It
You’ve asked yourself these questions, and you have your answers. Now it’s time to take action! So where do you start? There are so many options out there as far as self-help and self-improvement go, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick one that is best for you. However, there are a few tried and true methods that in my opinion, are a great start for anyone looking to bring balance back into their lives.
1. Hit The Reset Button
Sometimes the first step is to take things back to the basics. This could be in your relationship, home life, work life, or any other sphere. Hitting the reset button means getting rid of the extraneous, non-essential, or potentially stressful parts of your life and taking that time to relax and decide what is actually important to you. Maybe the problem is as simple as being overscheduled. Once you make sure that your basic needs are being met, you can slowly start to add things back in, one at a time. It’s sort of like an elimination diet, but for your life.
2. Talk To Someone
If you are finding it hard to do simple tasks, are having trouble sleeping, and feeling sad more often than not, it might be time to seek professional help. Even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression, talking to someone can be extremely beneficial when things are feeling “off”. There’s no shame in getting help from a licensed therapist. If you’re someone that feels hesitant to do this, know that you’re not alone. It might be helpful to look at your session as a “getting to know you” meeting. Remember, if it doesn’t feel like the right fit you can keep trying other therapists until it does.
3. Schedule Fun & Relaxation
If you’re having trouble finding the joy in every day, or are in a stress cycle you can’t get out of, it might be helpful to actually schedule fun into your day. If something is written down or added into your iCalendar you might be more likely to actually take that moment for yourself. And that could mean anything! Maybe it’s a Facetime call with a friend, a game night with the family, or going to an exercise class. It’s important to not let work or anxiety consume your every thought until your head hits the pillow. That’s not what life is about, and you’ll thank yourself later for prioritizing your happiness.
A simple adjustment is sometimes all it takes to get your life back into balance. It is human and normal to not feel absolutely amazing every single day, but if those feelings become more regular it’s time to take a step back. Evaluate, reassess, and realign. Your future self will thank you for it.