The Idea of Balance

By: Gabriela Yareliz

I keep hearing about the idea of balance. Does it exist? Is it real? Most entrepreneurs say no. Most parents of young children say no. Some people who work 9-5 say yes. I guess balance (if it exists) rides the waves. I guess, though, if it comes in seasons that are sprinkled sporadically, it isn’t the definition of balance. Balance is about proportionality and all things being equal.

I think the more intertwined your life is with others (even if they are clients or family), the less balance you are likely to have. People inevitably hijack your time, sometimes, even unintentionally. Like when your kid is vomiting at 4 am, making your day look very different than what you initially planned.

Is balance worth it? If it does exist, what are we sacrificing for it?

Time is the one thing we don’t ever get back. To me, it makes sense we would go after things like a hungry dog because the next breath isn’t promised. The idea of living to the hilt probably throws balance off a cliff. But then there is the argument that the balanced person who has time for a coffee and staring off in space is really the one living.

Then, there is the argument that only those who go through seasons of high acceleration (unbalanced stretches) are the only ones who truly relax in that coffee-stare-off moment.

We talk a lot about balance, but sometimes, the way people describe it sounds very pie-in-the-sky— in other words, not real.

Is balance aspirational? Does it prejudice us to aspire to it?

Does anyone know? Probably not.