Finding Balance: Tips and Tricks

By Aria Falcone, JIF ‘17


Life is like juggling: as we seem to hold onto one aspect of it, everything else is up in the air. Everything lies amidst the delicate balance of throwing and catching, and if we aren’t careful, all of the metaphorical balls will come crashing down. We all want to catch the elusive idea of balance, but we stumble upon obstacles that cause us to sacrifice sleep, time with family, and our own relaxation. However, it is imperative that we strive to have balance in our lives. Although I’m just an almost-17-year-old girl who hasn’t experienced the full stresses of life, I do know what it is like to feel overwhelmed by the sight of my entire life up in the air. Here are some tips and tricks that I’ve discovered throughout my search for balance.

Get organized! Organization can help us to keep track of our busy schedules, and with it, we feel more prepared and more confident. For specific tips on organization, refer to my previous post, Organizational Tips for Reducing Stress.

Take a walk. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, distracted, sad, or just can’t seem to focus, taking a walk is always my best remedy. Walks provide an opportunity for some low-impact physical activity, a change of scenery, and fresh air. Moreover, they allow you to clear your mind and focus on the things that matter to you. Whether you need to marvel at the beauty of Earth, to figure out how you feel about a certain issue, or to think about a loved one, going for a walk is a wonderful solution. Bring your dog if you have one!

Call a loved one. Before getting to work, spend 10 or 15 minutes catching up with someone you care about. It will make their day so much brighter because you thought to call, and it will make yours brighter by talking to them!

Keep a journal. Writing down my thoughts helps me to let them go. It also helps me to find solutions to problems that are going on. Plus, years later, it is interesting to read old entries and see how I have changed and how I have stayed the same.

Enjoy every moment of your life. Despite all of the busyness we all have in our lives, it is incredibly important that we enjoy every moment that we have. Cultivate friendships and relationships with family. Take every opportunity that is given to you. Use your passions to help change the world.


Life is like juggling:  as we seem to hold onto one aspect of it, everything else is up in the air. However, as we live our lives, we are constantly learning, changing, and growing. Instead of focusing on all that we are juggling and worrying about keeping everything up in the air, we need to find joy, peace, and hope.

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