Life/Work Balance

Do you seem down and depressed? If so, could it be that your life is out of balance? I think this is something that people don’t consider when they get depressed. I always tell my clients that life/work balance is like the 4 legs of a stool. Each of these legs is something that represents you or is important to you. These need to be nurtured or you will not be happy.

Some legs that many people have are:

  1. Relationships-this could be your partner or your family of origin. Are these relationships the way you want them to be? Are you harboring anger or resentment against someone? If you were to lose some of these people tomorrow, would you be happy with how you left things? If not, perhaps it’s time to make amends. If you do the right thing, then you will feel better about yourself.
  2. Work-are you happy in your job? Or are you stuck in something you don’t like and feel like you are in a rut? Do you have a boss or coworkers who don’t treat you right, or take advantage of you? Is it time to look for another job or career? You don’t have to stay someplace where you are miserable.
  3. Religion/Spirituality-Is this something that is important to you? Is it something that you used to be involved in and no longer are? Perhaps you are not a fan of organized religion and have your own belief system that works for you. If so, are you honoring that belief system? Perhaps this is an area of your life that needs a little exploration.
  4. Creativity-Do you have a creative side? Do you like to sing, play an instrument, sew, make jewelry, woodwork, leatherwork, scrapbook, or quilt? Have you been doing these things?
  5. Sports-Do you like to be active? Do you enjoy team sports-soccer, softball, or basketball? Or do you prefer individual sports? Do you like to ride bikes, swim, or run? Often times people give these things up when they get busy, yet they are needed to keep you balanced.
  6. Are there other activities you enjoy-listen to music, read, go to movies, or spend time with friends?
  7. Friendships-do you have some close friends, people who know the good as well as the bad? If not, this is something that most people need. We all have flaws and we feel less alone knowing that others have similar flaws. You may want to work on developing some close friendships.

If one of these legs is missing, your stool can still stand with 3 legs, but it will be a little wobbly. If 2 legs are missing your stool will fall over and your life will be out of balance.

Or perhaps you are so busy taking care of everyone else and are not taking care of yourself. If you aren’t even sure what the legs of your stool are, perhaps it’s time to do some self-reflection. If your life is out of balance and you need some help, don’t hesitate to call 713-304-6554.

Take care,

Debbie Grammas