Want to Balance Your Life? Throw Out the Rule Book and Follow Your Heart
Balance is key in everything you do. To some, balance means moderation. To others, it means equal amounts of opposites. To me, there are no rules. Balance simply means tuning in.
Sometimes I need to dance all night long, and the very next day I’ll crave two hours of yoga.
On a Saturday I might want to dress up in all the jewelry and pretty fabrics because I know the colors and textures will bring me joy. Or, I’ll cozy up with sweatpants and Dennis’ t-shirt because I know it will bring me comfort.
One is not better than the other. I don’t choose one to offset the other. Each satisfies the desire at that time, each makes me happy.
The same goes for choosing a green juice or a margarita, a long run or Netflix. The problem doesn’t come from indulgence, it comes from disconnecting from yourself and not giving yourself what you truly need.
There are days when every wheatgrass shot in the world couldn’t rejuvenate you like a 30-minute nap could. There are days when a 10-hour work day feels amazing, and days when you just need to leave your laptop closed and go float in the ocean.
Are you a shitty person if you skipped 6:00am spin class this morning? Are you the pinnacle of perfection if you’ve never uttered a curse word?
I have a secret for you: you can obey all the rules “they” say about perfect health, and you can still wind up feeling unworthy, and with anxiety through the roof.
The way to find balance in life isn’t through a rulebook, it’s through intuition.
Tune inward. What does your body need right now so it can feel good? What does your mind need so it can feel uncluttered? What does your soul need so it can feel seen?
Track your actions from a place of filling your cup with inspiration, not from a place of regimented rules written by entirely different souls on entirely different journeys.
There is no right or wrong way to experience a happy life. Whatever your soul desires in the moment will bring it joy, and there’s no sense in depriving your soul of joy!
Repeat to yourself:
I am a free spirit. The pure essence of my soul is freedom. I am free to manifest the life I want to live, and every situation I am presented with is an opportunity to explore and enjoy the beauty of this world.
The choice is mine, and I choose to be free.
So drink wine, but don’t forget your green juice.
Eat chocolate when your heart wants it and kale salad when your body needs it.
Wear high heels on Saturday and walk barefoot on Sunday.
Go shopping at the mall, and then sit down to meditate in your bedroom.
Live high and low. Move and stay still.
Or don’t.
Just promise me you’ll do what makes you feel alive and embrace ALL sides of who you are, unapologetically.
Be brave, bold, spontaneous and loud; let that complement your abilities to find silence, patience, modesty and peace.
Make your own rules for balance and don’t let anybody tell you how to live according to theirs.
What does balance look like for you today? Share in the comments below!
X,
Rachel
Rachel Brathen - Full Moon Flow
This nurturing flow is perfect to practice during the full moon, allowing us to connect to a more feminine, cooling part of our practice. In moon salutations we move side to side instead of front to back, completing a circle with each round.