(Re)Learning Balance

In these past few weeks, it’s really felt like things are starting to pick up again for me, at least in terms of doing things in person rather than virtually. I’ve gone out to eat, I’ve gone to a movie theater, I’ve seen friends – people are starting to make plans again! It’s exciting, of course, but it’s also starting to feel a little bit overwhelming for me… I feel like I’m struggling and need to re-learn balance in my life.

Heather, a white woman in a power wheelchair, is on her front porch. She's wearing a leopard print dress and leopard print sandals, and her arm is resting on a porch railing. She's wearing sunglasses and smiling at the camera.

I try really hard (though I don’t always succeed) at not overscheduling or overcommitting myself, because I know how important rest is. But right now, after months and months of virtual-only plans, it’s feeling much harder to say no to in-person things. There are so many things that we’ve all missed out on, that it feels like such a shame not to take advantage of a plan now that I’m vaccinated and I can. And truthfully, I don’t want to say no!

But I’m also finding myself feeling more exhausted than I’ve been in a while. And I don’t mean exhausted only in a lack of sleep sense (although that is also true!), but in the sense of not having time to myself to recharge. While I’m still working from home, that’s not exactly relaxing time; and then I’m filling up my weekends with activities and plans. Since I’m definitely an introvert in the sense that I need time alone, rather than with other people, to recharge, I’m finding it a little bit of a struggle. I feel like I’m running on fumes! I’m having trouble finding the right balance between saying yes to things and not saying yes to everything just because I can.

I wanted to write this post today because I’m curious if any of you are feeling like this, too! I feel like I’m having to re-learn balance, and re-learn how to prioritize my needs after not having to worry about it in this way for so long. And it feels strange to even think about it, really, because I don’t want to sound ungrateful for the ability to be vaccinated and have plans and see people again. I am really so grateful! But there’s no denying that there’s been a world shift, and it’s going to take some time to slowly re-adjust to what our lives used to be like.

So I’m wondering – anyone else finding it hard to balance things right now? Or are you just so happy to have plans that you don’t mind? Let me know in the comments!

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