In my experience, creating and maintaining a balanced lifestyle is one of the most difficult things to do.
I read enough zen and life management blogs to know it really should be easy - do what you love and what is important to you.
Doing it all?
But what if you're a greedy Gen Y who wants it all?
Perhaps, just perhaps, having
- a stimulating, challenging career;
- health (including a healthy weight) and fitness without gyms, sacrifice or monotony;
- quality and quantity time with food, wine and the people I love;
- a conscious, sustainable, environmentally friendly lifestyle;
- being a domestic goddess (or something remotely resembling that); and
- contributing to society in a positive way;
all at once, really is impossible?
Life balance in 140 characters or less
I asked some of my friends on twitter to tell me how they created and maintained life balance. I'd like to share some of those ideas and comments with you.
sunili, who is what you could conservatively call a crazy brilliant high-achieving Gen Y (read all about it at de minimis ago curat blog) told me:
I don't but I try...
Oddly, it is rather reassuring to see that I'm not the only one struggling with this. Personally I think she's doing a pretty good job of managing her career and living in accordance with her ideals and convictions.
photo credit: justice is blind
I also got some practical advice from frank_in_oz:
I work my butt off 10 months of the year and have 2 months off for short breaks - hiking, travel, camping. Goal - work 6 mths
Frank is the consummate active traveller and outdoor lover and has hiked in some absolutely breathtaking places, including some of my favourite parts of the world.
This is great advice if you can swing it. My heart leaps at the thought of that much travel. But. What if the 10-month work cram is just too hard, or just not possible? My husband and I are in the stage of our careers where taking this sort of time off work each year is all but impossible.
photo credit: dove lake
Balance is the level of compromise you can live with.
Sage advice from hazelblackberry who proves you can do anything after a Bex and a Good Lie Down. I really think this is key.
photo credit: fruit balance
Via a tweet from tessgiles who blogs at Anchors and Masts I discovered Magpie Girl's Do Less Campaign. Magpie Girl reminds us that sometimes, it just isn't possible to do it all and we just have to do less. The campaign officially starts tomorrow, Friday 15 May and will be a step-by-step approach to doing less and feel better.
So if you're feeling like the balance just isn't happening, you might want to head over to Magpie Girl's blog to take a look.
Alternatively you could try what has been my strategy to date - try to do everything, over-commit, collapse in a heap and then fail at everything.
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Hello ,
Its not a span ... just a note a wonderful article and post
Keep writing
Regards
Sudeep
Sudeep’s last blog post..Breakfast : A thought
Thanks for introducing Magpie, what I wonderful concept, I am looking forward to checking out the series. I am always trying to find balance!
Andi’s last blog post..I Married A Greek - Review and Chat with the Author
Thanks for the link, and I think this is going to be a good campaign.
Balance is indeed vital (it's a theme of my post on this tomorrow). But there's a part of me that wants to live by the late great Quentin Crisp's advice: don't do any housework ever, after four years the dust doesn't get any worse, it's just a question of not losing your nerve.
Tess’s last blog post..Not “no comment”
Thanks Sudeep
Andi: it is a fabulous concept and I'm sure it is going to be useful for me. For a long time I decided balance was impossible and just resigned myself to the fact I was going to lead a crazy life. I'm not sure if it is age or something else but that just isn't working for me any more.
Tess: I'm looking forward to reading your post. I'm not sure about Quentin Crisp's advice but I can admit that (shh) I've hired a cleaner. I decided it was one of those things I can let go of.
Greta article! I think it's alot about compromise and it also helps if a partner is committed to having a good life/work balance. Their attitudes can often impact on your lifestyle!
Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella’s last blog post..Cucumber Pickles - NQN’s Mum’s recipe
I think you're right, Lorraine, and that is where I'm going wrong - my husband's mistress is the office.
I can tell you that his work definitely impacts on my lifestyle - particularly when he gets urgent work phone calls at 4:30am on a Saturday - ew!
Hi there!
I try to keep the balance in my life by having an ongoing list of things-to-do! This helps me keep focused, and it challenges me to persevere when I feel like giving up.
Thanks for a really great post
Melanie Thomassian | Dietriffic’s last blog post..5 Ways to Deal with Weight Prejudice
Thanks Melanie, that is a great idea to stay focussed (and double points for a list - I'm very fond of lists!)
Maybe that's key - keep a list of short and long term goals and things to achieve - and try and allocate time accordingly.
BTW I'm really enjoying your blog and encourage others to click on Melanie's name or the link just under her comment to go to her blog.
I have to say that there are some amazing people who comment here and I do recommend clicking through to their blogs. I do moderate comments so anything erm..distasteful shouldn't get through so it is safe to click.
Hello my dear. Excellent post!! Thank you for your kind words. I think we all can just try, at least, right? I'm reading the links properly now (I couldn't click through when I read this on my mobi) so I look forward to all the tips!!
Sunili’s last blog post..the wounds of the tear-drop nation [Sri Lanka]
Great article. Coming in from We Love Comments group on 20sb. I love your blog, it's gorgeous!
Well, you can't have your cake and eat...but then, sometimes you can.
I love the pic. B.T.W. I'm just stopping in from 20sb "we love comments". Keep the love flowing. Have a great one!
Yet’s last blog post..Mission Impossibe: Quebec
Totally relate to the greedy Gen Y thing, although I'm right on the cusp of X and Y.
I believe it is possible to have it all and if someone tells me I can't then it just makes me try harder!
Christie @ Fig & Cherry’s last blog post..Bill Granger: Feed Me Now! cookbook
Sunili: Nice to see you here and extra-nice to see you're back blogging! You're right, all we can do is try.
Yet: My policy is to eat first, ask questions later
Christie: I'm just on the Y side - but my husband is an X. Your attitude is a good one to have. I've been pretty lucky and have been able to have at least a little bit of what I want at various times of my life!
Interesting thoughts Rachel. I'm a greedy Gen Yer and spend much of my time working with other greedy Gen Yers to help them eat better. I think hazelblackberry hit the nail on the head - it's finding a compromise that you can deal with.
But lately I've been taking a leaf out of Magpie Girl's book and just trying to do a bit less. It has felt really good to blog a bit less, gym a bit less and just chill out in the garden for a while.
Sophie’s last blog post..Plum and cherry crumble, with an oat & spelt top
Hi Sophie
I agree, the "do less" philosophy is a great one. Life is a bit nicer when it is slower - and doing less is a great way to focus more on the really important things.
I work mainly with baby boomers - so I often feel like a selfish little twit at work! My need to do and have a bit of everything (and love of pretty shoes and other accoutrements) is my guilty little secret. In the office, at least.