Blog: The Balancing Act

I just finished reading a book that I had heard about a year ago. Generally when a few different people tell me about the same book or movie, I know it is something I need to check out. I got the book a few months ago and I just kept it around on my “I’ll get to it soon list.” I, like so many others, am filled with commitments of my time with my business, family, friends and home. It seems like this last year all of my reading had been in areas other than purely for entertainment.

So, finally I decided I would just do it and pick up the book to read it. Once I got into the story, I was hooked. I really enjoyed sitting down to do something purely enjoyable and not having to have an outcome.

This made me think about my life and balance, putting priorities to my emotional wellness over other more mindless activities. I tend to go to the mindless activities (electronic devices and television) and wonder where all the time has gone.  Those mindless activities can be fun for a while, but I then lose focus on activities that can actually feed me.

One of the most popular blogs on my website is one I call Are You Too Helpful? In it I discuss how many of us can tend to help others at the expense of ourselves. Then after we spend so much time helping another out we might then go towards the mindless activities to decompress. This rings true for me and many of the folks I talk to. So I am encouraging you as I encourage myself to look at what you can do to feed your inner needs. Here are some strategies I have brought back out for myself:

1. Go to the park.
2. Read that fun book sitting on the shelf.
3. Plant those seeds for the spring.
4. Do something creative.
5. Use a new recipe or go to a new restaurant.
6. Read some inspirational/positive literature.
7. Take a trip somewhere new- it could even be somewhere local.
8. Call an old friend.

Consider making your own list, it will probably be very different to mine. Look at how much time you really spend in “mindless” activities that do not feed you and consider using that time for another use.

How are you taking care of yourself? You can post your ideas below — I would love to hear what you have to say.

Kim McLaughlin LMFT is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (mfc 27667) with a counseling office in Roseville, CA. Kim McLaughlin specializes in counseling people with binge eating, compulsive eating and eating disorders. This blog is not meant to be a substitute for counseling and if you are in need of counseling services go to www.counselingcalifornia.com or contact Kim McLaughlin LMFT here.

Sign up for Kim McLaughlin’s free Special Report: Top Strategies to End Binge Eating here or visit her website at www.feedyoursoultherapy.com.