Feeling out of kilter and overwhelmed from competing commitments and time compression is an experience many of us are far too familiar with. Achieving the Goldilocks effect of ‘just right and just enough’ in our personal and professional wellbeing can feel unattainable.
If you’ve ever used a pair of old-fashioned measuring scales, you’ll know what a delicate pairing act it is to get the elements perfectly aligned. The scales tip and dip to stabilize and find balance as you add and remove a little at a time.
There is an invitation in this metaphor to shift our thinking and our self-talk away from needing to achieve perfect scores across all of life’s domains and rather to weight the different ingredients in our lives, to make small adjustments to experience enhanced stability knowing that on occasion circumstances will tip you off balance and you’ll need to recalibrate.
Measure what’s on your plate right now using the Circle of Life diagram below. Honestly and compassionately consider where you might be in and off balance across these 12 categories*. Place a dot in each area to rate how positive it is in your life. The further from the centre, the more positive it is for you. Then connect all the dots and notice the spider graph which appears showing you areas of ‘wellness’ and areas of imbalance. Getting this snapshot can give you a steer as to where to make small but necessary adjustments.
source: Institute for Integrative Nutrition Circle of Life

Remember to set attainable, realistic goals which feel supportive and consider the basics of wellness medicine: water intake, movement, home cooked nutritious meals, clean self-talk and plenty of sleep.
As James Clear, author of Atomic Habits says: Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. So, doing 1% of something aimed at balancing your wellness is better than doing 10% of nothing. Three months from now you will either have three months of excuses or three months of progress. Make your choice.