A Definition of Balance: an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady.
These days we are so busy having to juggle work, running a business, creating a career along with being a parent and a spouse, having to face what life throws at us, often times all at once with minimal or no support at all.
You don’t have to be a perfect mom; your storage containers do not need to be labelled and your Instagram page can be super faulty. You are still doing the best you can, and that is perfect. There are days where you will fall apart, cry and might experience a “panic attack” – our lives are so busy and stressful, and our brains and thoughts run away from us far too often.
The generations before us, and perhaps in the generations to come, the tendency was for parents to stay at home and look after their children or to go out and work, but not both. For the stay-at-home mom or dad, either way has a lot of advantages and disadvantages.
I feel that we should pamper ourselves from time to time whether it’s buying yourself a magazine or a slab chocolate and not having to feel guilty about sharing it with our children or spouse. We need to do more things for ourselves because we deserve to turn our racing minds off and unwind! The thing is, not many people make time to go for a walk or exercise at the gym or even watch a movie on their own. No one really prepares you for the roles you must play when you become a parent.
Life has many challenges. I believe that you should have a plan to create your balance but perhaps not stick to it too strictly. Life happens, and you must be adaptable! I find that if you don’t have a plan, you won’t know where you are coming from or going to.
10 things to think about when creating your balance:
- Communicate openly and honestly
- Sometimes it can pay to be a little selfish
- Have regard for one another. Be considerate and trust one another
- Don’t try to shoulder all responsibilities, get help where you can
- Don’t feel guilty
- Focus on the positive things in your life
- Try not to keep up with your friends, family, or neighbours
- Don’t expect too much from the people around you
- Make time for yourself
- Don’t cling to your children, let them find their own independence, so that they too can find their balance
I quote from Albert Einstein in saying, “Insanity comes from doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”
Lastly for what it’s worth: “It’s never too late to be whoever you want to be! I hope you live a life you’re proud of, and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start over” – F. Scott Fitzgerald.
JESSICA STAFFORD
Clamber Club Sports – Kempton Park
sportskemptonpark@clamberclub.com
www.clamberclub.com