Finding Balance is Step to Overall Well-being

The demands of life, which pilot our daily hustle for survival, make finding balance seem impossible. In our struggle to attain a certain level of financial satisfaction, balance should becomes our everyday goal as well.

The effort we invest in our work and income-generating activities often outweighs what we replenish. While everything in life is important as long as it contributes positively, balance is vital for effective living, or else we end up lagging in one area. Neglecting our wellbeing should be the last thing anyone considers acceptable.

I have an aunt who would rather spend her last dime on eating something that nourishes her body, believing it helps ward off sickness. She sells electrical appliances daily, and we wonder if she has savings because she lives better than those who earn higher salaries. She works on weekdays and reserves Saturdays and Sundays for rest and leisure activities.

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I often tease her that I will copy her lifestyle when I grow up, and she tells me to value my life as we only live once. It's vital advice I learned from her but one I never cared to heed.

I still remember last year when I was juggling two different jobs just for money. After finishing my teaching job, I had only two hours left to prepare dinner, eat, and head to my second job at a beer parlour. The owner had two sales representatives: myself and another lady. She worked from 10 AM to 4 PM, and then I took over from 4 PM to sharp 10 PM. Thankfully, the beer parlour was close to my place. My life was just a cycle of work, work, work, with little sleep. The long hours were taking a toll on my health, but I refused to acknowledge it.

I attempted to juggle both jobs and my writing, but it was impossible. I would be writing an article and suddenly doze off with my phone until my alarm rang. I lost many friends who claimed I was too busy for them, with no time for leisure, not even simple things like playing games on my phone.

To regain my balance, I had to start by quitting one of my jobs. Despite chasing money, my overall appearance didn't reflect it. I was getting slimmer due to stress. My first step was quitting the beer parlour job and focusing on teaching. Teaching wasn't easy, but I learned to manage the workload by completing tasks on time rather than waiting until the deadline.

After work, I made sure to rest for two hours before preparing dinner. I also made time to reconnect with friends I had lost contact with, either by meeting them physically or having long WhatsApp calls. Spending time in a quiet, open space and observing nature brought me happiness.

By doing these few things, I noticed a difference in my overall wellbeing. I didn't gain weight overnight, but I looked better and was more focused on the things that truly mattered in my life, rather than overworking myself unnecessarily. Prioritizing our wellbeing is an ongoing process and is key to our sustainability. It's important to find a balance that works for us and is permanent.

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