What is balance (to you?)

It only makes sense that my first post for the “new” Blonde & Balanced would be on (what else?) balance!

Because I think balance means different things to different people. We each have a different idea of what balance would look like in our life. And we each need different things to achieve balance.

So I thought it might be fun to share with each other what our own definitions of balance are.  It’s a chance for you to get to know me a little better, and for me to start to get to know you guys better, too.

I’ll go first…

My idea of “balance”

• Having enough money to not have to worry about things (like when our house breaks or if one of us gets sick)…but not being obsessed with money.  I mean, do I budget? Absolutely! It gets on The Hubby’s nerves sometimes how careful I am about it. But, if we want to give ourselves a break in the kitchen one night and order out for a treat? Sure! Hand me the takeout menu and I’ll be the first to pick something. (Probably eggplant parm.)

Part of managing your money smartly, I think, is being careful about how you spend but also being cool enough to let yourself have a little fun sometimes. (And, if you are careful with your money, you can afford to do that.)

• Keeping myself healthy without forcing myself to do things that make me a grump. Like going to the gym. I am not a “let’s get up at 6 a.m. to go do a million weightlifts and stair climbs before work” kind of girl. I’m not a “do that at any time of day” kind of girl. I hate the gym. For me, working out has to be fun, like rollerblading with my dogs or Zumba’ing in front of my TV and making a dancing fool of myself. I don’t want to be super thin or super ripped—I just want to feel good and have the energy to love my life.

Same thing goes for eating healthy. I love veggies. I mean, love. I could easily be a vegetarian if I didn’t also love big, juicy burgers slathered in bacon. Or anything slathered in bacon, really. I have a feeling that would be a problem for a vegetarian. But happiness is part of being healthy, too. I take good care of my body, but every once in a while I like to splurge. And I think my body’s OK with that, because generally I treat it pretty well. (See how this balance thing works?)

• Working hard at my job, then forgetting about it. I totally admire anyone who has the guts and the dedication to want to start their own business. I really do. But for me, I don’t mind “the 9 to 5.” My job doesn’t make me want to do cartwheels, but I like the people I work with, and I’m good at it, and at the end of the day, I get to completely let go of all the stress and deadlines and go home to a cozy little house, an amazing husband, and two nutso but loveable dogs—and enjoy the heck out of them all. For me, that’s enough.

• Just…being…happy.  I have trouble sometimes just being in the moment. Especially when it comes to worrying. I’m much better than I used to be, but I still get all worked up over things that might happen or might go wrong. I’m trying very hard to learn to just enjoy what I have in front of me and let things happen the way they’re going to happen. I love the Zen idea of being “mindful,” and it’s something I’m trying to work on more and more.

The world is a beautiful place where crazy cool things can happen. And I’m very lucky to be a part of it. I need to focus more on that sometimes, and I think a lot of my personal “balance” will fall into place.

What about you?

What does balance meant to you?

What would your balanced life look like?

What do you need to work on to get there?

I look forward to working on it with you!

~Heart,
Em

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photo credit:  mike.ga