Balance is not something you find; it’s something you create.
– Jana Kingsford, writer
As we settle into the summer months, this month’s quote seems especially timely. For female business owners, finding balance can seem like an impossible ideal. Not only are you growing your business, you might also be managing a household, nurturing relationships, and helping out in your community while still trying to find time for yourself. Is it any wonder that finding balance can seem unattainable?
But here’s the empowering truth: balance isn’t about finding perfection. Balance is instead something we get to define and create for ourselves. It’s unique to you.
So what can creating balance look like in real life?
Define success for each season
Balance doesn’t mean giving equal time to everything on your plate; it means focusing your energy on what matters in the present season you are in. Depending on what is happening in your life, this might mean enjoying slow mornings with your children during summer break, or it could mean devoting more time and energy in the buildup to a new product launch. You get to decide.
Setting boundaries
Saying “no” is a very powerful act. Turning down work and events, even those that are meaningful, doesn’t make you selfish; it helps free up time and protect your mental bandwidth. Not everything is meant for you, and it’s okay to acknowledge that and say no.
Honouring life’s ebbs and flows
Sometimes you need to spend more time with your family, other times you need to slow down because your body needs a break. Creating balance can mean responding to these ebbs and flows with intention, and being flexible with how you spend your life week by week, or day by day.
Scheduling joy
Recently, I started to add fun into my planner. This might be walking with friends, attending an art class, or watching a movie. As business owners, it can be hard to remember that these fun activities can actually fuel creativity and make you feel more resilient.
So there you have it, balance is possible on your own terms. This month, ask yourself what balance means for you. Look at where you’re using too much of your energy, identify where you can say no, and remember you need to feed your soul. Give yourself permission to do all of that.
Check out our post about the importance of taking time off in the summer:
