Hey everyone, it’s Life Coach Carisa here! I’m thrilled to dive into a topic that’s close to my heart and incredibly important for moms everywhere: finding balance.
In this blog post, I’ll be sharing insights drawn from personal experiences and the journeys of the amazing moms I work with. Together, we’ll explore the concept of the “middle ground” and how it can bring greater emotional balance and peace into your life.
Imagine life as a spectrum, with rigidity on one end and chaos on the other. For too long, I found myself swinging between these extremes in various aspects of my life – from parenting to relationships and finances. Can you relate?
Do you struggle with finding balance between work and family, or bounce between feelings of inadequacy and perfectionism? Perhaps your parenting style veers from strict to lenient, or your emotions fluctuate wildly from suppression to outbursts.
Recognizing these patterns is the first step towards achieving balance. Trust me, you’re not alone – I’ve been there too!
For instance, when it came to parenting, I used to believe that discipline had to be harsh and unwavering. I need to teach my children the reality that the world is hard. This rigid approach really left little room for understanding or flexibility. Now in my situation, I can trace this back to my childhood, but now as a grown adult, I get to decide what I want this to look like as I go forward in my life. I can recognize my patterns and evaluate how this is serving me in my life and decide whether I like it or I want to change it.
In my relationships, I used to see things as either good or bad, without noticing the small differences and challenges. I had this pattern of defensiveness with others. I had this idea that people do things because they want something. Or they are trying to make me look bad. I would place things and circumstances in my life in the good or bad column. I didn’t create space for the gray.
With finances, I would swing from abundance to scarcity. What that would look like for me was overspending one day and then feeling guilt and remorse for that purchase so I would go to the other extreme and think I needed to make myself suffer and not spend a dime.
In my self-view, it was usually on the negative spectrum. I didn’t have the ability to see that I could be a good and not-so-good mom sometimes. I couldn’t recognize that sometimes I am kind and helpful and sometimes I am self-absorbed. I can be both good AND bad.
But here’s the thing: neither extreme brings the peace and fulfillment we crave. It’s only when we embrace the “middle ground” that we begin to experience true calm and stability.
So, how do we do it?
By reflecting on our beliefs, practicing mindfulness, and setting flexible boundaries. It’s about embracing the gray areas, seeking support, and practicing self-compassion. Ultimately, it’s aligning our choices with our core values.
Incorporating these practices into our daily lives can lead to greater peace, resilience, and emotional well-being as moms.
I hope this post inspires you to explore the middle ground in your own life. Trust me, the benefits are worth it!
If you found this blog helpful, consider sharing it with other moms who might need to hear this message. And if you’d like to watch my video on this topic you can find it here: https://youtu.be/T8_CWmWx9ac?si=LQHp94LkDvPV0U9X
“Balance is not something you find, it’s something you create.”
Jana Kingsford, Author of Unjuggled