We all want to know how to live a life where we can have perfect grades, stay in shape, see our friends, party on the weekends and more. After many conversations with friends and family (and my therapist), there are a few things I have picked up on about living a more balanced life that I’m going to share with you.
All Or Nothing
The biggest danger to a healthy work-life balance is the “all or nothing” mentality. It is where people set extreme goals, for example working out five times a week, and if they don’t achieve them then they throw away the goal altogether. Not only is this thinking unrealistic because these goals are unsustainable (especially with the high demands of life), but it sets them up to either burnout or be disappointed in themselves when they cannot maintain these goals. The key is to integrate your goals into your life gradually. Start with smaller goals and once you reach them, then you can add more over time. Throughout it all it is important to remember to be kind to yourself if you don’t reach your goals right away.
Welcoming Change
Life is inconsistent and unpredictable. You may not meet all your goals each week and that is OK. In fact, your imperfection only makes you human. Your “balanced lifestyle” will fluctuate over time with the waves and changes of life and this is not a bad reflection upon yourself. You must treat yourself as you would treat a friend, with kindness and compassion. This will help fight off the “all or nothing” mentality because although you may not have gone to the gym as many times as you aimed to, that’s OK because classes may have been a bit more demanding that week or you needed to focus on your mental health. However, don’t forget that the next week is a new opportunity.
Stop Waiting to Start
As someone who values good grades and academics, I often fall into the pit of putting all my energy into school and using it as an excuse to say no. However, recently I have had to give myself a reality check. Big picture, I won’t remember the extra hour I spent studying and that one hour likely won’t make or break whether I pass a class. However, I will remember that hour I spent grabbing boba or watching a movie with my friends. I’m not saying to never study, especially when you have busy weeks where school may demand more energy, but if you want to live a balanced life you have to actively choose to make time in your day for the goals you have in mind, like socializing or self-care. Life will never hand you a “perfect” time to start going after your goals, that’s why the “perfect” time to start is now.
A balanced lifestyle is not about waiting, it is about taking charge of your moment and choosing where to put your energy, so that at the end of your four years, you can look back and be proud of what you accomplished in all aspects of your life. It is a messy process that will never be perfect, but the goal is to never stop trying. Eventually, the small changes will gradually move you towards a happier and more fulfilled life.