By Kelsey Klepper
I often hear people say: “Your health is at its best when life is balanced.” “Your stress levels would decrease if your life was more balanced.” “We all have the same 24 hours in a day; you need to figure out how to fit it in and balance it all.”
We are told we need balance in our lives. At the same time, we are given skewed images and stories of what balance truly looks like. We’re shown that balance is figuring out how to have the time for everything – food prep, exercise, career, volunteering, friendships, family time, dates with our significant others, quiet time with Jesus, cleaning the house, kids’ activities, 8 hours of sleep, pursuing dreams, reading before bed, and doing it ALL while feeling happy, fulfilled, stress-free and balanced.
Wow, I don’t know about you, but I feel stressed just reading that list and thinking how in the world I could possibly fit it all in and still feel sane.
Here’s the thing, if you’re only adding things to your life to try and create balance and better health, you’re ultimately creating more stress and less health.
Balance is not trying to do all the things, trying to fit all the self-care into your current routine, increasing unnecessary stress and then feeling exhausted day after day. Balance is more about seeing what season of life you’re currently in, deciding what your top priorities are in that season, and then doing those things without feeling guilty for saying no to the others.
Currently, I’m in a season of mothering a young toddler with another baby coming in February. I went from working and having a lot of time for myself to staying at home with a toddler and not being able to use the restroom by myself. I went from zero sleep distractions to sleepless nights; easy to schedule quiet time or time with others to having to be more intentional with alone time with Jesus and every other relationship.
None of these shifts are bad in anyway. I want balance because I want less stress and better health. That’s the point, correct?
I’m still figuring out exactly what priorities God wants me to have during this season (besides being a mama), and that’s ok. I know that my health thrives when I’m juggling less and putting God first before it all.
Ask God what he wants you to be seeking and what he wants you to be letting go of to find your balance. It’s less about doing all the things and more about focusing on the few He wants for you in your particular season.
Answer me quickly, O LORD! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:7-8
