steps toward balance. a year in review.

This past year, I set myself the goal of changing one thing, each month, in an effort to find better balance in my life. A group of you set out to take steps in your own life, as well. Here is what I learned.

(The photos I have included in this post were all taken the week of December 5th. Autumn color came late to us, but was a show stopper, in some cases with color so vibrant, it hurt to look at the trees. Within a few days of taking these photos, most of these trees were bare.)


Here we are , with 2010 over already. The year in which I attempted to take steps toward balance each month. Some months contained great strides forward and some just felt as though I took huge leaps backwards. I had several months where nothing changed and I had to repeat my goal the following month.



This year, I have learned that trying to find balance is a constant dance. Sometimes I am graceful and sometimes I step on toes. I still love that word: balance. For some reason, I find it peaceful, but if I allow that balance to be formed from flexibility and compassion (and passion!), I find my days are happier.

As I wrap up a year of stepping toward balance, it is only now that my body is catching up with my head. All year long, I have known each month what I have needed to do and wanted to do to find my way into a more balanced life, but it wasn’t until November that I honestly felt as though I was actually propelling myself toward balance as a reality. That may be because I finally let go.



I have learned that, almost always, it has been the simplest actions that have been the biggest steps forward for me. Shutting the computer during the day, laying down next to one of my children at nap time or bedtime, and writing down my thoughts (just to get them out of my head), have all been hugely positive for me. These have been tiny ways of refocusing inward, resting my body while connecting with my children, and letting off steam while expressing myself creatively.


What I have learned:

I have learned that balance means flexibility and letting go.

I have learned that it is about attitude.

I have learned that balance comes from organization and simplicity, but that sometimes these beasts work against each other.

I have learned that nature, offline time, exercise, sleep, and crafting time are extremely important to my feeling internally at peace, relaxed, and able to accomplish all the "musts" in my days. But, I have also learned that all but nature are very difficult for me to achieve daily. I am still trying to figure out why...are my days truly too full or am I letting go of the wrong things?

I have learned that progress is slow, but any progress, even if it is just a realization of something positive, is something to celebrate.

I have learned that it takes work to ensure that my “on” days as a mamma outweigh the “off” ones. I need to wrap my head around parenting spunky and spirited children while embracing my own spirited nature.

I have re-learned that food is our foundation. It is essential for keeping us strong and healthy, but not all healthy foods are healthy for every person. It is essential for keeping us balanced and happy. It is a cornerstone to frugality. It is an expression of creativity. It is an expression of love. And it can be the basis of family rituals and celebrations.

I have learned that I am not in competition with anyone else. We all have our own battles and successes.

I have learned that honesty is fundamental and sometimes whining is necessary.

I have learned what this blog means for and to me. I think most bloggers would understand, if not agree, that sometimes it feels as though there is a must-post-daily-or-die rule. This year, I learned to reassess why I was blogging and what I hoped to gain from it. I have explored and begun to make peace with where I fit into this whole blogging world as this little blog of mine went up and down in popularity. Blogging can be a lesson of one's need for validation. This space is my own little outlet and public scrapbook of my life. I love the connection this space has allowed me to make with those of you who visit here. I have learned so much from so many of you, am humbled that you take the time to visit, and value the cyber friendships I have made. Reciprocity in blogging has taught me so much and inspired me to be creative through writing, sewing, cooking, and other crafts. And as I already observed, this creativity is a big step toward my own balance.

Moving forward, I don't plan on trying to make my changes fit a monthly pattern. I hope to change naturally and gradually, and perhaps a little more quickly? Perhaps if I just accept that change will happen! I foresee some big changes for us in the year ahead. Ones that I am both excited and nervous about, but regardless of how life unfolds, I am certain to share bits of it here. I won't be tracking every penny (for now), every item to leave our home, or every used item we acquire anymore. The patterns that that tracking revealed were so informative (at least personally), but the time that went into maintaining those lists was enough that I don't feel the need to continue.


So here I go, continuing to fumble my way along toward balance, inside and out.

And you? What of you and your steps toward balance?