Finding a Balanced Life: Why You Shouldn’t Wait Until Retirement to Start Living
The Juggle We All Know Too Well
Wherever you are today, I want to talk about balance.
Finding balance in life is a bit like finding the right rhythm to spin five plates. We all set out with big ambitions—wanting to do well in our careers, stay healthy, enjoy hobbies, spend time in nature, and deepen our relationships with family and friends.
But even with the best intentions, some plates fall. Enthusiasm fades, problems pile up, and suddenly, something gives.
Why One Imbalance Affects Everything
In life, having balance isn’t just nice—it’s crucial. When one part of life is neglected, it can throw off everything else.
Ignore your health, and you might feel it in your sleep, mood, work performance, and inner peace. Neglect your career, and it can impact your financial security and strain your relationships. It’s all connected.
To live a more harmonious life, we have to take care of each part—not all at once, but over time.
Real Balance Isn’t About Equal Time
Remember: balance doesn’t mean splitting your time equally between everything. It’s about optimising your mix based on what life needs from you right now.
Career, relationships, health, hobbies, and spirituality—each contributes differently to your overall well-being. And it’s unrealistic (and unnecessary) to give the same amount of energy to all of them at all times.
Sometimes, your career needs more attention. Other times, your family, your health, or your spiritual life comes first. The key is knowing how to adjust—and letting go of guilt when you do.
Stop Waiting for “Someday”
We don’t have forever to live the life we imagine. This is our one shot on Earth to do something meaningful.
Instead of struggling to force a perfect work-life balance, what if we went deeper? What if we stopped thinking of work and life as two separate boxes, and instead saw them as puzzle pieces that can actually fit together?
When you start blending those pieces—intentionally—you unlock something powerful. More happiness. More meaning. More memories that matter.
So… How Do We Get There?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Finding a balanced life doesn’t come with a rulebook. But there are timeless ideas—across cultures and philosophies—that can help us.
Different countries and traditions offer perspectives that are surprisingly relatable. From the way we make decisions, to how we treat others, and how we live day-to-day, there’s a lot of wisdom out there.
Instead of sticking to one philosophy, what if we could take the best from many? That’s when the real magic happens.
Wisdom from Around the World
When we combine ancient teachings, we get a more flexible, practical guide to navigating everyday life.
For example:
- Confucianism and Taoism show us how to balance career, relationships, and well-being with integrity and flow.
- Buddhism encourages us to look inward and care for our soul.
- Greek philosophy reminds us to rediscover passions and live a well-rounded life.
- Native American traditions call us to respect the Earth, align our goals with nature, and think about more than just ourselves.
They all speak to something bigger: balance isn’t just about us—it’s about how we live in the world.
Finding Balance – Mary’s Story: A Wake-Up Call
Mary’s in her 40s. A high-achieving executive. She’d been working hard for years. She always imagined that travel, rest, and time with friends and family would come later.Then came a moment that changed her perspective.
One of her friends was planning to retire after 45 years of work. He had plans—hiking, traveling, enjoying slow mornings. But three months before retirement, he had a stroke that left him paralysed. It was heartbreaking. And it woke something up in Mary. She realised she couldn’t keep waiting for retirement – or someday – to start living. That time is now. So, she made a bold move: she took a 3-month sabbatical to figure out what really mattered.
A Journey Through Cultures, and Back to Herself
From the neon-lit streets of Tokyo to the quiet temples of Bali, she immersed herself in philosophies from around the world:
- In Japan, she learned Ikigai—finding purpose—and Wabi-Sabi—embracing imperfection.
- In India, yoga and meditation taught her stillness and presence.
- In Greece, Eudaimonia reminded her to live with joy and fulfilment.
- In China, the Tao Te Ching taught her to trust the process, not just the outcome.
- In Africa, Ubuntu taught her that we are all connected.
- In Tibet, she practiced mindfulness in the shadow of the Himalayas.
- In the Amazon, she remembered that nature is not something to escape into, but something we’re part of.
Each philosophy helped her piece together a new version of life—not built on burnout, but on presence, meaning, and flow.
Coming Home with a New Definition of Balance
When Mary returned, she didn’t leave her job or make some dramatic change. Instead, she started living differently. She created space for the things she had once put off.
Now, her days are built around five key pillars: career, health, hobbies, relationships, and spirituality.
Balance, she realised, wasn’t about doing less. It was about living with more intention.
Final Thoughts on Finding a Balanced Life
Balance creates a more fascinating, memorable life.
When we feel aligned in our work, health, relationships, and personal passions, our lives become richer. Like a symphony—each part plays its role, and the music comes alive.
Your job can inspire you.
Your health can give you strength.
Your hobbies can ground you.
Your relationships can fill your heart.
Balance isn’t about controlling everything. It’s about letting each part of your life breathe—trusting that they’ll support each other when they’re in harmony.
A Personal Invitation
So ask yourself:
- What things have you been saving to do, someday?
- What other parts of your life do you need to work on, to find balance?
- What would change if you chose to live more fully – right now?
- How is your health, your relationships and other areas doing.?
Your journey should be one of self-discovery, healing, connection, and joy. Explore what balance looks like for you. Seek meaning. Try new things. Make memories.
Write the story you’d want to remember.
You Matter. Your Balance Matters.
Wherever you are, I hope you remember:
You matter.
Your life matters.
And how you choose to balance your life while you’re here… is up to you.
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