As I get ready for MAWC 2017, I like to look back at things that have inspired me. One of the activities that brings me most inspiration is engaging with my readers on social media. And one of the topics that often comes to the surface is balance. I get asked a lot about how I balance my work life with my family life, and, just as in the post below, written a few years ago, the concept of life being a balancing act remains true. But that doesn’t make it any less wonderful.
As women, we tend to have to find balance constantly, whether it’s with our work, family life, friendships, and even “me time.” But we always seem to find a way to do it. When I wrote the words below, I was balancing work, life, being a mom, and going after the things I feel passionate about. That still rings true today, but now I am also a Mimi. And while life is certainly busier, it is better than I ever could have imagined. So I hope these words help bring you some insight and answer your question. How do I find balance? With a lot of patience and focus!
Life is a Balancing Act: 3 of My Favorite Tips
I’ve received a lot of emails from readers asking me the question: “How do you balance your life between being a mom, a wife, an entrepreneur, and a blogger.” Well, the short answer is: with a lot of patience.
All kidding aside, my golden rule when it comes to balancing is to enjoy and be present in whatever I’m doing at the moment. For example, when I’m out shopping with my daughter, Amber, I’m not thinking about the new look book we’re creating for Loren Jewels. Instead, I’m focusing on listening to Amber’s stories and enjoying a few laughs. If my mind were to be somewhere else, I should just leave the store. Balancing is all about being in the present.
Balancing is also knowing how to organize and prioritize—and not being afraid to ask for help when you need it. Organize yourself be setting goals for the week. Of course, these schedules we create tend to change, so remember to be flexible. And don’t be so hard on yourself when things get a little sticky. Just try your best! Prioritizing means passing on the projects we don’t necessarily need to take on ourselves. Yes, there are a bunch of fun little collaborations I’d love to take on, but at some point, I must be honest with myself and my time. Do I really have time for this? Is this important to my happiness or my family’s happiness?
It’s also super important to know when to ask for help. Hiring a nanny for a few hours a day so you can get your small business going (or to give you time for the gym) doesn’t make you a bad mom. Remember: your child will be happiest when you’re happiest. So whatever time you need to yourself, make it work. If hiring help is not an option, look into mommy groups (or create your own group!) that swap babysitting time. Be resourceful and creative. Believe that you’ll find a solution. Or maybe you have the opposite problem: you need less hours at the office and more at home. Well, don’t be afraid to ask your boss for more flexibility. She/he may surprise you. And you’ll never know until you ask.
Lastly, you must have a sense of humor. Because let’s be honest, sometimes the only thing left to do is laugh!
Let me know how you balance your life. Send me a tweet @lorenridinger.
~Love Loren
