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Finding balance to avoid burnout

14 July, 2016 by Giselle Rochford 6 Comments

Isn’t it ironic that I missed almost a week of posting right after talking about self-sabotage and how I plan to overcome it? But for once it wasn’t self-sabotage that kept me away from the blog. What actually felled me this week was balance or rather, a lack thereof.

It seems that every Tom, Dick and Harry is on a quest for balance these days or has found it and is living a balanced life. But balance is something that I struggle with daily and I wanted to chat about it today…out loud.

Finding balance to avoid burnout via @ExSloth | ExSloth.com

My one word resolution for 2014 was balance and from what I can remember 2014 was actually a pretty balanced year. I wouldn’t say I divided my time equally among all my different interests but I managed to juggle them all without a tonne of problems. But then 2015 hit and my life has just been spiralling out of control ever since, with no balance in sight.

Why balance is key to avoiding burnout #healthyliving #balance

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Last month I decided to attempt posting to the blog 3-4 times a week. Miraculously, I managed to stick to my schedule and I actually shared 17 posts last month. I’m pretty sure that’s some sort of record for me.

But the downside to accomplishing that goal was that virtually everything else in my life got put on hold while I worked towards it.

My struggle with balance

Aside from successfully completing this 30 days of yoga challenge, I didn’t cross anything else off my June to-do list. I didn’t go to the gym, I didn’t hang out with friends and I barely Skyped my family. I also postponed the launch of my second blog, neglected my general self-care and to top it all of, I still haven’t found a job.

How’s that for balance?

Turns out that sharing 3 recipes a week along with my TOL posts is more time consuming than I thought. Regardless, I planned to try keeping up with the gruelling schedule for the rest of the summer.

But when my recipe for last Sunday didn’t work and I responded by saying eff it and promptly falling asleep for almost 12 hours, I realised it was time take a step back and regroup.

Because I was mentally and physically exhausted

And despite accomplishing such a major goal I didn’t feel that happy.

Finding balance is the key

I understand that success requires some sacrifices but ignoring everything in pursuit of one goal is not the way to do it.

In order to be truly fulfilled and successful I need to give attention to all areas of my life, from blogging consistently to staying in touch with friends and family. I need to relearn how to juggle the moving pieces of my life without having one thing or another fall into disarray.

Maybe it’s a time management issue or organizational or maybe I just need to work on my multi-tasking skills. Whatever the problem is, I need to figure it out and fix it, fast.

Life isn’t going to get any easier anytime soon and I can’t afford to keep falling into this vicious cycle of going balls to the wall for a month, then taking a week off to recover and pick up the pieces.

Spoiler alert: That’s the road to burnout.

So while I know this quest for balance obviously isn’t going to be easy I also know it’s necessary. Because I think it’s safe to say that a healthy life isn’t possible without balance.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

  • What does balance mean to you?
  • How do you balance all aspects of your life?

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Filed Under: Healthy Living, Healthy Living Tips, Life

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Comments

  1. amanda- runtothefinish says

    14 July, 2016 at 10:03 am

    I always think balance is a tricky word because can we really be in balance in all areas…i think I find balance as a long term thing, over the month did I XYZ, instead of trying to do it all each day.

    Reply
  2. Meah says

    14 July, 2016 at 10:37 am

    Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh. This post is just what I needed to hear! I too have been so consumed with blogging and social media that I’ve neglected my personal life and have begun to feel really stressed about things that I used to love. I’m not really a New Year’s Resolution person (I can never think of one that’s good enough), but I think your resolution to find balance is one that I have to focus on myself. I think an important component will be to get organized and set realistic goals. Love this post <3.

    xxMeah

    Reply
  3. Elisabeth says

    14 August, 2020 at 8:08 am

    To avoid burnout, you need to pause your work in time and learn to rest. I already feel tired of the whole routine, and have planned a vacation with my husband. Here https://www.azur-limousines.com/en/ we ordered a transfer for ourselves, and plans to go on excursions, so as not to contact other people once again. I want to enjoy my vacation already

    Reply
  4. Olivia says

    4 September, 2020 at 9:56 am

    You should never bring yourself to complete burnout. You must understand your limit, your strength, and take time off to replenish your resources! Just feel that you are starting to lose your life balance-complete urgent tasks, buy tickets to Greece and go on a long-awaited vacation! Just book a cruise https://notos-sailing.com/ and and let yourself relax, let us enjoy this moment and do not think about anything.

    Reply
  5. Emma says

    14 September, 2020 at 6:42 am

    To be in harmony with yourself, you need to understand when to stop and arrange a vacation for yourself. No matter how much the routine of life drags you down, just let yourself gain strength. Go to the Spa, go fishing, or choose an active kayaking holiday, you can read more about it here https://boardandkayaklife.com/ . Or maybe just turn off your phones and relax at home. Choose what you like and let yourself reboot

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. A Little Somethin' Sunday #44 - Sinful Nutrition says:
    17 July, 2016 at 6:01 am

    […] Finding Balance to Avoid Burnout – Diary of an Ex-Sloth […]

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