Balanced Living: Celebrating Small Wins

Learning to let go and let loose has been a challenge. So that you understand the difficulty in this process: The other night when I woke up in the middle of the night stiff with muscle pain; For the first time ever, I was able to release my clenched fists, relax my tight jaw, and loosen up my neck. As my close friend and I often say, "celebrate the small wins." I woke up feeling so happy, as if I had achieved a significant milestone, even though it might seem insignificant to others.

In working on my rigidity, I've come to understand the concept of balance, particularly in lifestyle. I feel like balance is a term frequently used in the wellness community, but it's challenging to understand its true meaning and incorporate it into our daily routines and mindsets. Each person lives on their own schedule, and it's important to understand what balance means to you personally. For me, balance involves letting go of control, accepting that I can't control everything, and being okay with saying yes to some things and no to others.

Incorporating balance into my daily life means indulging in the salad my body craves but also enjoying a piece of chocolate afterward. It means going to bed early most nights but also cherishing late-night conversations with my roommates. It means accepting the world as it is and giving up the desire for things to always go my way.

When I began to accept my appearance and appreciate myself for who I am, I noticed a shift in my thinking and a loss of the need for control. It was when I became okay with things not turning out as expected.

My therapist once told me, "NO ACELERES EL PROCESO. EL PROCESO NECESITA SU TIEMPO," which means "don't rush the process; the process needs its time."

Real health, I believe, lies in being content with who you are and how you look. Balance encompasses every aspect of life, both mentally and physically. When I accepted my appearance, I stopped obsessing over what I ate and started listening to my body, trusting that it knows what it needs. I've come to embrace how I naturally look, and I'm content with who I am. As I focus on letting go and embracing balance in my mindset, I feel myself riding life's waves rather than fighting against them.

I liken this to the scene in "Finding Nemo" when the turtle encourages Marlin and Dory to enter the East Australian Current. From the outside, it appears fast-paced and chaotic, but once inside, it's slow and gentle. That's what adding balance to your life feels like.