The Balancing Act: Ten Tips for Mastering Your Best Life (Without Burning Out) in 2019

If you’re like most of us, you enjoy a rich, rewarding, and busy life. And, now that the new year is here, you’ve likely compiled a laundry list of plans, goals, and resolutions into the already hectic mix. But, if you’re not careful, even the most ambitious and well-organized among us can find ourselves struggling with our burgeoning great careers, a sizzling love life, meaningful friendships, interesting hobbies, and pursuing new goals, all while looking and feeling our best. It’s a lot to manage when you add it all up! But alas, this is what they call “having it all.”

So, if the idea of “having it all” in 2019 stresses you out, you’re not alone! Successful women everywhere have the same misgivings as you do. The good news is, you can create the life you really want without going crazy, burning out, or losing your joy for life. The secret lies in finding a successful way to balance these seemingly irreconcilable objectives.   

I believe achieving balance is related to mastering mindfulness, which really just means living in the present moment. Most of the time, you likely feel overwhelmed because you have too many priorities competing for your attention. To cope, you either become your personal (and unreasonable) taskmaster who fails to build in any time for fun or relaxation. Or, you are someone who makes time for those personal needs but can’t enjoy them because you’re distracted by your to-do list. This is where mindfulness can help. By fully living in the moment, you can begin to achieve balance by ensuring that you never give too much of your time and energy to any single area of your life.

If you’re ready to make 2019 the year you achieve your own balancing act, keep reading for some advice to help you be present and learn to make time for what’s most important.

Give your career 100 percent (but be sure to mentally clock out when you’re done). Sometimes your personal life spills over into your workday, and sometimes work interferes with your personal life. It’s just the way of the modern world. But you run into trouble when you’re not able to fully focus on either part. So, when you are at work, make it your personal commitment to focus only on work. This enables you to give all tasks your full attention so you produce your best results. Likewise, at the end of the workday, you must switch gears and disengage your mind from all things job-related. This is hard for most career-driven folks, but it pays off when you realize the enviable results of being able to really relax and fully enjoy your time outside of work.

Set some new goals (but don’t become a slave to them!). Goal-setting can be especially fun and exciting in the new year. So, go right ahead and set that intention to lose some weight, save more money, or clean out the basement. BUT. Do steer clear of becoming so extreme in pursuing any goal that it leads you to start feeling excessively anxious or stressed out. Resolutions may have an objective (e.g., to be fun or improve your life), but there is no reason for them to make you miserable. So, if your goal to eat healthier turns into joyless restriction and calorie-counting, take a step back and remember that you’re entitled to enjoy your life even when working toward something important.

Say “no” as often as you need. Be wary of overcommitting yourself by saying “yes” too often when people ask you to do things. You may feel pressure to agree to every invitation and take on each new responsibility any time you’re approached, but this can lead to burnout or cause you to inadvertently break a promise. Therefore, it’s important to learn to say no more often. You’re not being mean, selfish, or irresponsible by doing so. Rather, saying no shows that you value your commitments and possess the self-worth to do what’s right for you.

Nurture your closest relationships. If you are so overcommitted that you can’t be a good partner, parent, or sibling, it’s time to evaluate what’s really important. Make time for your family, because it’s the only one you’ll ever have. You will be surprised how satisfying it is to send off an email or write a short note to a favorite aunt or niece saying you are thinking of them and can’t wait to see them in the weeks or months ahead. If your parents are living, call or visit them regularly. Reach out to your siblings and try to get together—especially if you live close by. Cherish your role as a parent and prioritize quality time with your kids, no matter their ages. And finally, make an effort to keep the spark constantly alive between you and your partner. Date nights, weekend getaways, and open and honest communication are invaluable when it comes to maintaining a strong relationship. Most of all, never forget that small gift or token of affection. It will be remembered for many months to come.

Master the art of mindful eating. Even when you feel rushed, it’s important for your body, mind, and soul to slow down at meal times and really experience your food. Rushing through a meal leads to digestive distress and keeps you from enjoying the ritual of mealtime. Eat slowly, carefully chewing each bite and taking time to taste your food. Try to always eat at a table if possible and resist the urge to watch television or check your phone for emails while you eat. If you’re with someone, do enjoy the conversation but don’t be so distracted that you keep eating after you’re full.

Make time for your girlfriends. Female friendships are a special part of women’s lives. But it’s all too easy to let these relationships drift when you become busy with work, family, and life in general. Be sure to devote time to nurture these friendships so they will be strong during the good times and the bad. (During the bad times, you’ll feel so grateful to have other women who love you and are there for you.) Try to get together with your friends at least once a month for a movie night, a dinner, or a fun activity. If you live far away from each other, schedule a phone call and kick back with a glass of wine while you catch up.

Enjoy the material things…but rid your life of “excess.” We all love having nice things, from stylish clothing and accessories to lovely furniture, beautiful homes, and the latest technology to make life easier. However, if you have too much “stuff,” it can start ruling your life. That’s why you must periodically audit your possessions and donate or toss out whatever you don’t need. Adopt a lifestyle of simplicity, meaning you buy what you want and need but never go overboard purchasing excessive material possessions. Trust me, your closets, storage units, drawers, cabinets, and basements will thank you! Make a resolution to clear out of your house or apartment at least five things you never use each month. Feel the cleanse.

Buy only clothing that you love. When it comes to material possessions, clothing is the area where you are most likely to get stuck. Chances are, your closet is currently full of outdated, worn out clothing that doesn’t fit quite right (or at all). Likewise, it may contain several never worn sale items that you’re not even sure you like. While a good closet cleanout is most likely in order, it’s also important to adopt a new philosophy in which you buy only items you truly love from now own.

How can you tell if you love an item of clothing while shopping? Ask these questions: Does this fit me well? Does the color flatter my skin tone? Will this work with the clothes I already own? Is it true to my core sense of style right now? If you’re unable to answer these by yourself, consider bringing an honest friend with you when you go shopping for new clothes. Another option is to hire an image consultant or personal shopper to give you her professional opinion.

Say “yes” to better rest. Getting enough sleep is crucial to feeling good and being productive when you need to be. First, commit to getting adequate sleep each night. This might require you to improve your “sleep hygiene.” Try to get to bed around the same time each night and aim for seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. Use blackout curtains to make your room totally dark (or sleep with an eye mask). Try turning the temperature down below 70 degrees because studies show that people sleep better in a cooler environment. Finally, quit all screen time an hour before lights out.

Schedule enough down time. Face it, you can always find something to do instead of relaxing. But never taking a timeout to just “be” is unhealthy and ultimately backfires. So, each week, give yourself ample time to “do nothing,” in a way that you will enjoy. Some people prefer staying in and watching Netflix, while others choose to get lost in a great book. Others still may bliss out by getting a 90-minute massage or taking a luxurious midday nap. It doesn’t really matter how you choose to relax; the important thing is that you do it!

The balancing act is a necessity in our modern, chaotic lives, but anyone can achieve it with a little extra effort. When you unapologetically prioritize what all is really important to you, commit to those things, and stay mindful through it all…well, you’ll still be busy in 2019! But, you’ll also slow down the pace of life immeasurably and enjoy yourself more. You will build better relationships with friends, family, and coworkers. You will be more centered to meet the real meaningful objectives of your life. Finally, you will enjoy the benefits of a rewarding work-life balance and have the energy to appreciate how great your life truly is.