Finding balance as you chase your dreams

I’m a 100%, all in, go big or go home kind of person. When I worked on my Bigger Than Versace book the last two months, I made it the center of my life.  I stopped hanging out with friends. I dropped exercise and meditation. I bought pre-packaged foods that I could eat quickly (and with one hand) so I could keep writing while I ate. 

Guess how I felt after two months? If you guessed a sack of garbage that’s been run over by a truck, you are correct! 

By a miracle of timing, I leave this week for a women’s retreat in Bali. I’ve got ten days of yoga, meditation, hiking and surfing. It’s exactly what I need. 

But this is a once in a lifetime trip. I cannot expect to get vacationed back to life every time I’ve run myself into the ground. What I need, and what you need, is sustainable balance. 

After coming out of my hyper-focused fog, here are my tips for doing better: 

Don’t cut out the things that keep you sane. It seems obvious that dropping exercise, mediation, and healthy eating would not end well. Let my hindsight be your foresight, and commit to holding onto your stress relievers, no matter what changes you make to your schedule. 

Talk to someone. It can be easy to lose sight of how unbalanced you’ve become. Check in with a friend and mention, “My children are scavenging food like feral raccoons and I can’t remember the last time I showered.” Their reaction will likely encourage you to make some adjustments.

Take a day off. The last thing I wanted to do was take a day off writing. But the Lice Episodes of 25 forced my hand. When I jumped back into writing mode a few days later I had clearer eyes for revisions and more creativity to make them. 

Whatever passion you’re sucked into, try to keep some balance in your life. It’s the best way to avoid burnout, and it keeps your loved ones from turning into racoons.