Dear Stevie,
I’m overwhelmed trying to keep up with work, family, and everything else. I’m exhausted but don’t know what to let go of. How is everyone balancing it all?
First of all, they’re not. No matter how balanced someone’s life may look on the outside, no one has it all together all the time. I promise this is something everyone struggles with!
That’s why I often ask clients to imagine their life as a switchboard, with glowing toggles labeled for different areas: sleep, food, movement, exposure to nature, connection with family and friends, and a sense of purpose. That sense of purpose might come from work or any activity that feels meaningful. Each switch lights up green when things feel solid, yellow when something needs attention, and red when it's in distress.
It’s not realistic nor sustainable to have every switch on green at once. Instead, be mindful of which areas need your attention and attune to those areas before they turn red. For example, if you have been pouring all your energy into work, your purpose switch might be green, but your sleep or relationships could be drifting toward yellow. That is a sign it may be time to shift some energy back to those areas, even if it means your sense of purpose switch moves to yellow for a bit.
Taking a bird’s-eye view of your life can help you step back and see things more clearly. When one area turns red, it can feel like everything is falling apart. But in reality, while one part might be struggling, others are still holding steady. Some switches may be red, but many are still green. Seeing the full picture helps you recognize that you’re juggling more than you give yourself credit for.
This metaphor is a reminder that balance is not a final destination. It’s something you return to again and again through small shifts and regular check-ins.
Take 60 seconds today to reflect…which switches feel green, yellow, or red? You don’t need to fix everything at once. Pick one area that is yellow or red and devote 10% more energy to it this week.
You’ve got this,
Stevie