Finding Balance in Life and How to Juggle It All

First things first, I have no idea how to “juggle it all.” I just thought it was a catchy title, and I figured I can at least help you juggle some of it… which is how I do it. I juggle some of it, and it works out pretty well. Trust me, I know how it is—finding balance in life can feel like chasing a moving target or, for some of you, a moving toddler. With work, family, friends, hobbies, and personal goals constantly competing for your time, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

The key to achieving balance lies in figuring out your real priorities. You might think this is easy, but like most things human, it’s a little complicated. Thankfully, I’ve discovered that small changes can make a big difference in finding balance in life. Whether it’s carving out time for kids, self-care, or setting boundaries with work, each step counts. The only way to achieve any goal (and it’s helpful to think of our priorities as goals!) is one step at a time, so you might as well figure out what steps would be helpful for you to take and get started on them now.

I can’t stand feeling overwhelmed, and a lack of balance makes me feel just that. I don’t function anywhere near my best, BUT guess what? Everyone feels overwhelmed sometimes. Rather than trying to eliminate all sources of stress or chaos, it’s better to learn to balance your life as best you can. It’s also crucial to find ways to deal with whatever comes your way unexpectedly.

In this post, I’ll offer practical tips to help you find your own balance. You don’t have to do it all; even small tweaks can lead to a more centered life. Let’s dive in!

Understanding Balance

Finding balance in life can be tricky. It involves managing different areas like family, friends, work, and personal interests. I think it’s helpful to look at what a balanced life really means.

Defining Work-Life Balance

To me, finding balance in life means making sure I give enough time to both my work and my personal life. I have worked at home for 20+ years, so finding that balance when work is ALWAYS there has been a bit challenging at times. I try to focus on what matters most in that moment. For instance, when I’m working, I aim to be productive. When I’m enjoying my home life, I want to be fully present for my family or doing an activity that I enjoy.

The Myth of Perfect Balance

I believe striving for perfect balance is a bit misleading. There are times when work demands more time, and that’s okay as long as it’s not ALL THE TIME. Life is not about being equally divided at all times, but balancing it continuously as you go.

Instead of perfection, I focus on feeling satisfied. Some weeks, I might work more hours, but then I prioritize my family time later. Adapting to change is essential. Life’s ups and downs mean my balance will shift. Just knowing this helps me not to fall apart when my life suddenly requires some flexibility.

Check In With Yourself

When finding balance in life, it’s important to regularly check in with yourself. Self-assessment helps you remember your priorities and recognize when things feel off. Here are two key areas to focus on.

Identifying Personal Priorities

To know what matters most to you, list your top priorities. This could include family, work, health, and hobbies. I often ask myself questions like, “What makes me feel content or happy?” or “What do I want to achieve this week/month/year?”

Write down what you think your priorities are or what you want them to be. Mine are: faith, family, friends, meaningful work, a clean home, and trying to make healthy choices. Many people say “spouse” or “family” as their main priority, and I love that. But here’s the thing: many people also do very little to actually prioritize their spouse/family/significant other in practice. Saying it means very little without some kind of action. How do you intentionally act on that priority? You don’t have to make every day perfect and special, but you should find ways every day to tell and show those important people that you care. That’s what it means to prioritize them.

So when you’re at home with your loved ones, let them know they are your priority. You can give them undivided attention—no phone or TV—during a discussion. Or you can help make dinner and then eat it together. You can do a nice thing for them, even something very simple like a two-minute neck rub or a huge hug. If your loved ones are your top priority, make sure you show them that.

Do the same with your other priorities. What would it look like to be a good friend? How can you be more productive at work? Do you want a more organized home? It doesn’t happen just because you wish for it. You have to find ways to prove that it really is a priority to you. And guess what? If it’s not a priority to you right now, cross it off your list and don’t allow yourself to feel overwhelmed by that particular thing. Instead, focus on the things that really are your true priorities. Every season of life is different, and maybe you’re finding that with a change in your life circumstances, your priorities are changing as well.

Recognizing Signs of Imbalance

Keep an eye out for signs that you might be off balance. Some clear indicators include feeling overwhelmed, tired, or stressed. If you start ignoring your health, hobbies, or skipping family time, it’s time to reevaluate. These areas might offer some insight into where things are out of balance:

• Disconnected: Have I spent both quantity and quality time with my loved ones?
• Feelings of Stress: Am I feeling anxious or irritable?
• Neglecting Hobbies: Have I stopped doing what I love?
• Physical Symptoms: Am I constantly tired or unwell?

By recognizing these signs early, you can make changes before things get too out of control. Checking in with yourself is key to maintaining balance in your life.

Practical Strategies for Finding Balance in Life

Finding balance in life can feel tough, but I have discovered some helpful techniques. The right mix of time management, setting boundaries, and mindfulness can make a big difference. To me, this is the fun part! How do you actually put it into practice and begin to see a change?

I’ve learned that creating structure helps. For example, I set specific work hours and stick to them for the most part. I also plan my home life and personal life for fun activities with friends or family. Did you catch that? I plan not just my work life, but I plan time with my family and friends.

My husband and I regularly go out with our friends or have a game night. We love connecting with friends and just having some good old-fashioned fun. Our kids are grown and no longer live at home, but we also like to plan dinners and time with them as well. Spending time with my adult children is one of my greatest joys in life! Finding time for ourselves as a couple is easier than ever, but it’s also really easy to take that time for granted and spend an evening watching TV or reading instead of prioritizing talking and caring for each other.

Time Management Techniques

Managing my time well has changed how I approach my day. I often use a planner to keep track of tasks. It doesn’t matter if it’s paper, digital, or a legal pad. Here are a few effective techniques I like for finding balance in life:

• Prioritize Tasks: I make a list and figure out what needs to be done first. This helps me focus on what really matters. I alternate between doing the most dreaded task first and choosing an easy task just to cross something off. If there’s a method to my madness, I haven’t figured it out yet!
• Set Timers: When I start a task, I often set a timer for 25 minutes. Once the timer goes off, I take a short break. This is a simplified version of the Pomodoro Technique, and it really helps in finding balance in life. In using this technique, and experimenting with it, I have discovered that my favorite time schedule is 50 minutes of working and a 10 minute break.
• Limit Distractions: I turn off the sound on my phone and keep notifications to a minimum. This helps me stay focused on what I’m supposed to be doing. By using these techniques, I find I can get more done, and bonus—I feel less stressed!

Setting Boundaries

Setting clear boundaries has always been a cornerstone for achieving balance in my life. I learned to say no when I need to. Trust me, it’s not always easy! There are so many great options for how to spend your free time, and I want to do all the things! The simple fact is, I can’t. Here are some tips that work for me in finding balance in life:

• Communicate Clearly: Let your no be your no and your yes be your yes. Just say no if you can’t do something at work, home, or in your personal life. Try to avoid maybes as much as possible because then you still have a decision hanging over your head. I get it; sometimes you have to say maybe, but save that for when you really aren’t sure.
• Designate Work Time: I have a specific time for work and stick to it. Outside those hours, I focus on my other priorities.
• Accept Limits: Just like you, I only have 24 hours in a day, and I don’t want to spend them rushing from one thing to another and missing out on enjoying the moment. I no longer over-schedule just to fit in more. Even if that “more” is all good stuff, sometimes it’s just too much. Having these boundaries helps me recharge and enjoy my free time without guilt.

Challenges to Finding Balance in Life

As I’ve stated before, finding balance in life isn’t easy. There are specific obstacles that can make it tough. I often face issues that get in the way of a balanced life, particularly distractions and the influence of technology. Oh my gosh, I need to repeat that last one: the influence of technology. That includes pouring over blogs I enjoy and watching Instagram videos that make me laugh out loud. I purposely never added TikTok to the mix, as I don’t need one more thing to distract me!

Common Obstacles

Life can throw a lot at us, which often makes it hard to keep things balanced. Here are several common obstacles to finding balance in life:

• Work Pressure: Some days, I find myself working longer than I intended. This takes time away from family, fun activities, and relaxation. I’m not saying don’t do your job; I’m just saying don’t do it at the expense of every other priority.
• Family Needs: Family commitments can sometimes feel overwhelming. Whether it’s taking care of kids or helping relatives, these duties can really pull a person in many directions. Overcommitting to a zillion children’s activities can also take its toll.
• Social Life: Friends want to hang out, and I want to join in. Balancing my social time with personal time can be tricky. On one hand, my friend time is fun, but if there have been a lot of busy days or evenings recently, I just don’t always feel like adding one more thing. All these factors can lead to feeling stressed and out of sync.

The Impact of Technology

Technology is a big part of our lives now, and I really notice how it influences my life balance—often more than I’d like to admit.

• Constant Notifications: When my phone beeps and buzzes all the time with emails, texts, and social media alerts, it can keep me from focusing on my tasks or enjoying time with family. Shutting off notifications or putting your phone on silence can help you, just like it did for me, to stop constantly checking your phone.
• Always Connected: With technology, sometimes it feels like you never truly log off. This can make it hard to relax at home or just be present with your loved ones. You can set timers and place limits on computer and phone time to keep technology from unbalancing your life.
• Information Overload: The internet offers endless information, making it tough to filter what’s important. This often leaves me feeling scattered and unfocused. These technology-related challenges can seriously disrupt my daily routine.

Maintaining Balance

Maintaining balance in life takes effort. Check in regularly and make sure you’re adapting to changes in your life and still prioritizing who and what is most important to you. These steps can help you to stay centered and navigate challenges. Finding balance in life is not always easy, but it’s worth the effort!