Balanced body, balanced mind, balanced life—”balanced” is the new black, and everywhere we turn, someone is telling us why we need it and how to get it. Sounds great in theory, but something about the go-getter urgency around it feels frenzied and stressful—one more thing to strive for in our achievement-based world.
In fact, with so much of the buzz about balance hinging on making time to have it all, this modern take on the concept feels dangerously close to perfectionism—a surefire way to stifle creativity and growth.
To us, balance is more a touchstone than something to achieve. It’s not about ticking off a mental checklist before you go to sleep at night to make sure you had a well-rounded day (family time: check; career: check; self-care: check; exercise: check). Instead, it’s about doing check-ins with yourself and recognizing when you feel great—or when you feel off—and adjusting your life accordingly. It’s not about forcing a 5-mile run because you scheduled it, but about doing a slow couple of miles and a good stretch session because that’s what your body needs today. It’s about doing what’s right for you, not about doing everything just right.
Balance is a practice, and it’s about being honest with yourself and being willing to change and grow. When you’re overextended, you dial back. When you’re craving inspiration, you seek out a spark. When you need a change, you shake things up. When something’s not right, you do the hard work of changing it—and when something is just right you find a way to bring more of it into your life. Balance is about knowing—and respecting—yourself enough to live a life that fulfills you.
Journal exercise: Is there anything making you feel out of balance right now? If so, what is it? What could you do to change the situation and bring yourself closer to balance?
Ready to feel balanced, body and mind? Join the #B3Anywhere Summer Challenge! You’ll get our easy-to-follow weekly workout and meal plan, major inspo from the B3 team, and you’ll be entered to win our weekly prizes!
