You will explore your current work-life balance through a guided visualization, adjusting four dimmer switches representing different life areas to find a sustainable and fulfilling combination.

English

Work-life balance isn't actually one dimension - it's 4: career/money, social/family, hobbies/creativity, and health/fitness. I like to think of these as the four dimmer switches of life and in today's meditation, I will introduce you to this concept and help you find a sustainable combination.

Finding Work Life Balance

I have come to learn that our work-life balance isn't actually one dimension or one spectrum, with work on one end and life on the other. It is more like four dimmer switches, side by side, one for career and money, one for social and family, one for hobbies and creativity, and one for health and fitness. You simply can't have all of them turned up to 100 at the same time. When you're younger, maybe your career dial was cranked up as high as it could go as you start making money and building your career. Maybe you also prioritize fitness or a hobby, and then life shifts. For example, for me, when I went on my maternity leave, my career and money dial dropped to zero, while the family dial shot up past 100, leaving no room for hobbies or personal time. Now that my kids are a little older, I've turned my career dial back up, added some focus on fitness, and even carved out some space for hobbies again. But the problem? They're all hovering around 80%, and that's not balance, that's exhaustion. It is unrealistic at its weakest, and we all feel the same position. The key is to find a sustainable setting for each. For a job, you need to turn up the career dial, maybe down the halls. If you want to work part-time, something else has to give. Society tells us we shouldn't have it all, and sure, you can have it all, but not all also at the same time. Not unless you're willing to sacrifice sleep and that's it. So maybe that all-time-consuming hobby has to wait until your kids are older. Maybe workouts shrink to 30 minutes at home instead of full-day hikes for a while. Whatever the mix, if you try to max out on all four dials at once, you will likely run out, get sick, or feel constantly stressed for a combination of them. And if you stay at the wrong combination for too long, you might feel unfulfilled. The trick is to regularly check it out. Where are the dials right now? And is this mix serving you in this season of life? So today, I'd like to take you through a relaxation exercise and a visualization to find some clarity on which of these four dimensions are dominant in your life, and if your unique combination works for you or requires some adjustment. So let's find a comfortable position. You can go to seated or lying down, whatever feels best for you. Now gently close your eyes and take a deep breath in and out. Let your shoulders soften and your jaw release any tension. There's nothing you need to do right now, but just be here in this moment, fully present with yourself. Let's start by focusing on our breath. We inhale slowly through our nose for a count of four. And then we hold gently and exhale deeply. So let's breathe in one, two, three. Now feel yourself settling with each breath, releasing the day's stress and distractions. Notice the surface beneath you and supporting your body. With every exhale, imagine tension melting down through your body and into the earth. Release the weight of your worries, doubts, and expectations into the surface below you. Now gently bring your attention to the space around your heart. Imagine warmth and peace filling that space as you breathe and as your breath continues to flow smoothly and naturally. Now I'd like you to imagine in front of you a panel with four dimmer switches, each representing a different area of your life. The first one is career and money, the second one social and family, the third one hobbies and creativity, and the fourth one health and fitness. Now notice the positions of each dimmer switch right now. Maybe one is dialed up to a hundred, maybe another one is barely lit, perhaps somewhere in the middle. Take a moment to observe without judgment. What does this current combination feel like in your body? Is it energized or a little overwhelming? Now ask yourself, is this combination serving this season of life? Are there switches that are dialed too high and leading to exhaustion and stress? Or are some switches maybe dialed too low, leaving me unfulfilled? If it feels right, gently adjust the switches in your head. Maybe you lowered the career switch slightly to make some space for a family or hobbies or maybe you have a nudge to health one hour prior to a self. As you make these adjustments, remind yourself that balance doesn't mean perfection. It's about finding a sustainable combination that supports you well enough. You have the permission to shift the stacks at any time.