Some people seem to have been born with the superpower of multitasking. They can cook, talk on the phone, and reply to emails all at the same time without breaking a sweat. It’s a life skill that makes everything appear seamless; managing their time efficiently, setting priorities and achieving them. Such people often live more balanced lives because they can juggle their way through life. They may make mistakes along the way, but they learn to live with those imperfections.
For others like me who aspire for perfection, multitasking feels like a chaotic juggling act waiting to end in disaster. My fear of making mistakes, my quest for near-perfection, and my tendency to hyper-focus on one task at a time have often robbed me of the ability to do many things simultaneously.
When this struggle is confined to the kitchen, it’s harmless. It only means my cooking takes longer because I must finish one meal before starting another. But when it spills into real life, the effect is far-reaching. Life demands that we manage many domains: our health, family, faith, finances, work, friendships, and personal growth. When one of these areas consumes us, the others quietly suffer. A fulfilling life means giving adequate attention to each aspect of life that’s important to us; it doesn’t mean perfection. Then, “Why do we chase perfection in a world that was never meant to be perfect?”
Life is not about perfection: it’s about balance.
Finding balance in an unbalanced world
The Bicycle Rider
I like to compare living well to riding a bicycle. When we ride, we aim for balance by steering the wheels and constantly making corrections with our body movements. Achieving balance in life works much the same way. It’s a continuous process of assessing and adjusting our priorities to achieve wholeness.
And just like our centre of mass can misalign while riding, we occasionally shift out of balance in life. Our focus, energy and resources shift too much into certain aspects of life at the expense of others. They consume too much of our energy and attention. When that happens, we must learn to adjust our focus and redirect our energy to other areas that need nurturing.
For me, my greatest imbalance came from over-focusing on family life and parenting. I took it as a full-time duty, something I wanted to execute perfectly. I poured my energy, my focus, and my time into it. But because I wasn’t good at multitasking, other areas of my life suffered.
I know I’m not alone. Someone else’s imbalance may come from a demanding career, one that drains their time and energy until there’s little left for anything else.
There are pastors and religious leaders whose children feel abandoned because their parents were too busy saving other souls to nurture their own homes.
There are businessmen and women constantly on the move: Italy today, Japan tomorrow, working tirelessly to build financial security, but slowly losing connection with their families.
And yes, imbalance can also come from too much pleasure. The party lover who can’t miss an outing or the social butterfly chasing attention and fun might find their finances and relationships falling apart.
What’s missing in all of these circumstances is balance; the ability to manage and harmonise different aspects of life, so that no single area overwhelms the others. It’s not about giving equal time to everything, but finding a rhythm that supports your overall well-being and sense of purpose.
When was the last time you checked in on yourself, your spouse, your children and other family members? When was the last time you met up with friends or reviewed your finances, faith, job, and hobbies? You need a balance. We all do. But, how do we find it?
If your dream is to live a Balanced Life, here are the steps to take:
- Determine what matters to you: Identify your values, know what’s important to you and set your priorities right.
- Identify where you’re out of balance: Ask yourself honestly: What areas get too much of my time and energy? What areas am I neglecting?
- Make adjustments: Ease off the areas that consume you and devote more effort to the neglected ones.
- Stop chasing perfection: There’s no perfect life; stop chasing perfection. Rather, strive to live intentionally and meaningfully.
- Learn time management: This is an essential skill for a seamless life. Time is money: use it wisely. Don’t waste it; make plans, have a schedule, use reminders, and spend it on what truly matters.
- Consistently sustain balance: Just like a bicycle rider, maintain balance. Don’t let one priority overshadow the rest. Pay attention to your health, relationships, faith, finances, and self-growth.
- Know your limits: My dad used to say, “If hard work guaranteed wealth, artisanal miners would be the richest.” Sometimes, the effort you put in doesn’t match the reward you receive. That’s just how life works. Be realistic with yourself.
- Avoid extremes: Don’t let religion make you neglect your family, don’t let family life destroy your career ambitions, don’t let work ruin your health, and don’t let entertainment drain your wallet. Seek moderation and balance in all things.
Finding balance is never too late. It’s about continuous assessment and adjustments.
Late Bloomers: It’s Never Too Late
Sometimes, we feel like we’ve lost balance for too long, we’ve neglected crucial aspects of life, and we just can’t figure out where to start the adjustment. My advice is: start from anywhere.
Rebuilding a Career
If you’ve missed out on building a career, don’t despair; it’s not too late. If age seems like a barrier in the traditional workplace, look online. The digital world offers endless opportunities: remote jobs, freelance work, online retailing, virtual businesses, teaching, and many more. What matters is not your age, but your ability to perform. You will be shocked by how much you can achieve.
Every one of us has gathered unique experiences over the years. You may have become a parenting expert, a problem solver, a great communicator, or an organiser. Use those skills. Many jobs today require skill and creativity more than formal education. So, explore new options.
Some of today’s successful food bloggers started by experimenting in their kitchens while cooking daily family meals. They didn’t attend culinary school; they learnt in their homes. Many homemakers became interior designers simply by improving and beautifying their own spaces. Stay-at-home parents have grown into exceptional teachers and child development coaches from helping with homework and nurturing their children. Garden enthusiasts, pet lovers, and home renovators have all turned hobbies into thriving careers.
No knowledge is wasted. Share what you know: write, teach, coach, consult, or create. It’s never too late to begin something new.
And if you desire formal qualifications, go for it. I did. At 50, I returned to university for a postgraduate degree in education. After years of informal learning from raising my children, I wanted professional grounding to do it better. If I can, you can too.
Balancing Family Life
If you’ve missed out on family life, don’t give up hope. Love and companionship can bloom at any age.
I once met an elderly woman in my pearl store about seventeen years ago. She wanted a single-strand of Freshwater pearl necklace. Her neckline was slim, and she insisted it be restrung to fit perfectly. She made a fuss over it. Curious, I asked what occasion it was for. She beamed and said, “My wedding.”
She was seventy-three. Her husband-to-be was seventy-six. Both had children and grandchildren, yet they were about to begin a new chapter together. It reminded me that it’s never too late for love, family, and joy.
And if you feel you failed at parenting because of past imbalances, there’s still time to make amends. Reach out to your children. Apologise to them. Explain what went wrong. Relationships can heal when love is genuine and effort is consistent.
Balancing Your Finances
If your finances have been neglected for too long, don’t panic. Balance can be restored through flexibility and discipline.
Cut down on wants and focus on needs. I can assure you, our needs are very basic. Most of our financial troubles come from chasing luxuries, not necessities. Simplify your life; be flexible and adaptable. Be willing to move, change jobs, or downsize if it helps you breathe easier. A balanced account is a gateway to peace of mind.
Balancing Your Physical, Mental and Emotional Health
You can’t enjoy life without good health. Your body is the engine that carries your dreams, your responsibilities, and your joy. Nourish it, eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly and rest well. Pay attention to what it needs and treat it with respect.
Be conscious of your mental health, and reduce stress in every possible way. Nurture healthy emotions, cultivate good relationships, live and love.
Balancing Your Faith
Finally, faith gives meaning and direction to everything else. It keeps us grounded when life gets overwhelming.
Even if you’ve drifted spiritually, you can always return. And if you’re trying to find a faith, welcome. Join a Bible-believing community, study God’s word, and nurture your relationship with Him. It’s never too late to grow in faith.
In Conclusion, A balanced life doesn’t mean everything is perfect or constant. It is about adjusting and realigning as circumstances change- much like keeping your balance while riding a bicycle.
A balanced life isn’t something you stumble upon; it’s something you create, one adjustment at a time. Sometimes you’ll tip too far in one direction, but the beauty lies in noticing and correcting it. Living a balanced life is a continuous effort; a constant and consistent adjustment in an unbalanced world. It is a striving for wholeness.