Feeling stressed? Burned out? Experiencing a general sense of dissatisfaction with your life? As women, we have a tendency to cram more and more into our schedules at the risk of sacrificing the stuff that keeps us on an even-keel. That's a sure-fire recipe for losing our balance and what we consider our quality of life.
Balance is achieved through small, daily changes. By weaving these seven ingredients into your daily routine, you'll soon be living the peaceful, serene life you yearn for.
1. Forgiveness. Let go of any grievances or grudges that you hold. Don't let little aggravations grow into deep-rooted bitterness and resentment towards others. Sure, someone may have intentionally (or unintentionally) done you wrong, but is it worth letting it eat you alive? No! If it's something that's going to keep bothering you, go and confront the person about whatever injustices you may have suffered. Sometimes it's just easier to forgive the person in your heart and let it go. Try writing them a letter and working out all your frustrations on paper - then burn it and with it any lingering emotional baggage that will drag you down and keep you from living a peaceful life.
2. Self-development. If we're not growing, we're dying. What are you doing to keep learning? We have a tendency to think that our education stops with graduation, but really it goes on for the remainder of our lives. How much time do you spend reading about topics that interest you? When was the last time you took a class to broaden your base of knowledge? What are you doing to build your skill set and expand your comfort zone? I know it sounds like one more thing to cram into your schedule, but in reality self-development is one of the things that keeps us from questioning the quality of our life. It allows you to enrich your life in new and creative ways.
3. Laughter. There's nothing like laughter to release the tension that builds up in our daily lives. Make it a point to carve out time for fun and relaxation. Take a break from your work -- it will wait for you! Go for a walk with a friend. Watch a funny movie with your spouse. Play a board game with your grandkids. You will return to your work renewed and energized which will make you much more effective. Ignoring this need for laughter, however, will eventually cause you to burn out and resent both your work and your relationships. Lighten up!
4. Simplicity. Eliminate the clutter in your life. Looking around your home or office right now, you may think that's an insurmountable task, but take it one baby step at a time. Commit to spending 15 minutes a day getting rid of everything that doesn't bless you. Your goal is to create an environment in your home, office, and even your vehicle that you enjoy being in. Don't hang onto anything that you don't absolutely love or use on a regular basis. The majority of us have way too much stuff and it's holding us back from truly enjoy our life. Let it go!
5. Financial peace. When was the last time you balanced your checkbook? Do you have a method for tracking your income and expenses? Do you have a system for paying your bills on time? Reduce your financial stress by keeping track of your expenses and living below your means. Set aside a percentage of your income in savings. Invest in opportunities that will pay you back over time with passive income. When you go shopping, ask yourself if it's something you really need or if it's just a temporary fix for a deeper need in your life that you're ignoring. Choose quality over quantity. As with eliminating the clutter in your life, only buy things you truly love.
6. Solitude. Spend at least 15 minutes each day in quiet. Use this time to meditate on inspirational reading (such as the Bible), pray, and journal. Incidentally, studies show that women who journal about a specific topic or theme experience a higher level of satisfaction from journaling than women who merely chronicle their day. The idea behind daily solitude is to nurture and renew your spirit. Designate a favorite quiet time chair and surround it with items - a scented candle, chenille throw, or treasured keepsake object - that support your intention to create a peaceful pause in your day. This doesn't always have to be scheduled time either. If you're about to come undone, stop and breathe. Don't view this as a waste of time, but as an integral part of your day. You deserve it!
7. Intimate relationships. I'm not talking about jokes swapped with your co-workers or the people that you exchange polite conversation with at dinner parties. I'm talking about the deep, unreserved relationships you have with your spouse, children, and hopefully a small circle of friends that you share your life with. Who are the people that you turn to when you've been downsized at work, discovered that you have cancer, or just lost a parent? Who are the people in your life that love you unconditionally and call just to find out how you're doing? We all need a handful of people that will lift our spirits when we're down, laugh with us when we need to unwind, and celebrate with us when we're experiencing a small victory. Don't wait until you're in a crisis to develop these relationships in your life. Nurture them on a regular basis.
Don't wait! Make these seven ingredients a priority in your life today!