Being honest, balance isn’t something I would say is natural to me. I don’t mean the physical act of balancing (I’m pretty good at that 
), but rather the skill of approaching life equitably and with harmony.
When I enjoy doing something, I want to do it all the time! I’ve never gone completely overboard but I know there is definitely a strong tendency within me, to be like this. In my twenties, when I used to go out to bars and clubs, I would smoke and drink, like there was no tomorrow. It was a lot of fun at times, but ultimately there is a tomorrow (until there’s not…if that makes sense! ) and then there is an obvious cause and effect to that behaviour.
Not just in case you’re thinking, “oh gawd, Jen’s here to rain on my parade!” …I’m really not. That was great fun, if that’s what you want to do, and I strongly believe that if you are enjoying yourself and not hurting anyone, then all well and good. 
However, something I wanted to share is that I am finding I am enjoying "balance" these days. Maybe it’s getting older, as I never used to be a fan of balance! I am 34 this week, and I definitely enjoy different things these days than I would ten years ago, I think that’s often a natural thing in life. Neither is better or worst. We just change.
What got me thinking about this topic, was the recent posts by Karen at Dreamin’’ the Life. Karen has blown me away with her honesty and courage, in sharing that she is currently battling an addiction to alcohol. Someone commented on one of her posts, that we are all addicted to something. Whether its gossip, the internet, chocolate or alcohol. I think that’s true. If I’m really honest with myself, although I might not be facing the same challenges Karen is right now, I know I have that tendency within me, and I am not sure, that giving up certain things in my life, would be that easy.
So as I said, I have realized recently, there is a lot to be learnt from balance, specifically I am learning that self discipline can actually be very freeing. Letting yourself do, whatever you feel like, can feel good in the moment, but can quickly feel bad if done too often.
One of my favourite writers; David Turnbull recently write a post where he shared that he found it useful, when writing to:
“Stop when you don’t want to stop. Are you in a killer paragraph? Writing something that’s so amazing that you feel like you’re going to explode in a burst of ecstasy? Stop writing. What?! Stop writing. Why? Because you’re in a good zone, but that good feeling is fleeting unfortunately and it needs to preserved.”
I think there is so much wisdom in what David says here, and it can be applied to any area of life. Continuing to do something fun, can be great, but there is something to be said for ‘preserving’ that feeling, and knowing when to stop.
Personally I have found that I get out of balance when I don’t listen to my feelings. Like a parent who sets healthy boundaries for their children, I have started to notice that when I do this for myself, and stop when I know to stop, or getting the things done first that I don’t want to do, there is a palpable sense of satisfaction. Another important thing to mention here is the importance of the ability to say "no". As I shared in the post in the link, learning to say "no" has made a huge difference to my life, and the ability to balance what I want.
A further positive effect of being more balanced for me is that I notice I am starting to achieve more and I am clearer about what it is I want to achieve. I get inspired very easily, but left unchecked I can have lots of inspiration and not much follow through. I am realising the value of persistence and consistency.
I don’t want to take all the fun out of life and of course, at times good old fashioned spontaneity and throwing caution to the wind, can be the best thing to do. However at other times, delaying gratification and learning self discipline, can add another layer to life and our enjoyment of it.
We are all different. Your journey with balance may be very different to mine. I’d love to hear about yours.
I can relate with your journey. Awesome blog btw, just found it! Anyway... I think being in balance is a bit overrated, because I'm a lot like you; when I do something I do it 100%, but I also agree that we should listen to our feelings and do what feels good, which ultimately to me means following my passion. If that makes sense?
Henri´s last blog ..Why You Shouldn’t Quit Your Job, Yet
I try to find balance as well. It's definitely hard, especially when you enjoy what you do. One thing I try to do is take at least one day a week where I don't check Twitter or I don't read my RSS feed. It's so easy to get caught up in all this internet 'stuff,' especially when you enjoy it, but I think it's good to take a break and find some balance. It works for me so far.
Nate´s last blog ..Review: The Unconventional Guide to Working for Yourself
Heya Henri!
I think for me, its deciphering between what feels good but may not be good for me and what authentically feels good i.e. sometimes the things that are really bad for me, feel good in the moment i.e. drinking lots or spending way too much time on the computer! Without taking the fun out of life, I am trying to find that middle ground. 
looking forward to more conversations with you Henri.
Spooky timing ... I've just popped back from your blog, which I love too! Awesome design and loved your recent post. Great comment, yes it does makes sense.
Thanks for dropping in again.
Hey Nate.
Yeah, I think that's where I get stuck, if I enjoy something I can get out of balance, so a fairly healthy hobby can take over too much. I have been limiting computer work (at weekends) and like you, and it has helped me to find a balance and also enjoy the internet more when I go back to it.
Thanks Nate.
Jen
@jen, that was indeed spooky that we had such timing. The longer we live, the more in tune we become with the force (I hope you're a big Star Wars fan). After awhile we become yoda, all green and mean, but super awesome
.
Thanks for the compliments. It means a lot since I just started the blog!
Henri´s last blog ..Why You Shouldn’t Quit Your Job, Yet
I like balance because it allows us to take care of all our needs. If you just do one thing, all the time, is hard to have all your needs as a person fulfilled. And eventually, this comes out in your life one way or another.
Eduard
Ideas With A Kick´s last blog ..How to avoid the holiday madness and enjoy yourself
I think balance is cool. It means you can be good and also be bad. You can be super-productive, but you can also take time to chill out.
Gordie´s last blog ..Are You Controlling Life Or Is Life Controlling You?
Hi Jen,
Interesting post. I also read David Turnbull and he blows me away sometimes and the kid is only 19. What a writing talent. Anyway, onto your topic. Self-control and balance. I tend to agree with you. I am proud of the fact that my kids have never seen me drunk or totally out of control. I must say I do like to have a drink but I know when to say "No". I have relatives that cannot but I'm proud of my self-control. And talking about balance, I try to balance my work with hobbies. In fact, just this past weekend I was able to get back to doing woodworking by helping out the director of my daughter's high school play work on sets for the play. I had gotten away from woodworking probably more because of the time that blogging had occupied. I have to learn to keep that balance with work, blogging, and other hobbies like woodworking. It is very important in our lives. I liked your thought-provoking post. I tend to say that a lot to you, don't I?
Best,
Bob
Bob Bessette´s last blog ..10 Notable Losses in 2009.
Hey Jen - When I was younger I always wondered what it would be like if I was a calm, balanced person. I then began meditating and practiced approaching life with as much equanimity as possible, so that I eliminate the negative effects of craving something I like or detesting something I don't. Once I began to find my balance, my life slowed down, my mind calmed down and life became so much clearer and more fulfilling. And this also reduces wasted energy we tend to spend on our 'addictions', energy which can be used for far more productive purposes.
Although, I'm still not very good at saying no! I have a long way to go on that one...
@Henri, Hey again Henri! please don't fall over in shock (my husband did when I first told him!) *I haven't seen Star Wars*! but I do get the analogy
)) Very impressed that your blog is new, it is really impressive. 
@Ideas With A Kick, Hey Eduard.
Exactly, every cause has an effect and it is important to take care of all areas of our life. Thanks for stopping by. 
@Bob Bessette, Heya Bob!
David is awesome isn't he, an amazing writer. It is great that you are proud of your self control, it is a skill I am developing and liking more and more as I do. 
and fantastic that you have got back into your wood working... I know with loving blogging so much I have to catch myself at times and make sure I pursue other hobbies, and when I do, I really enjoy it and have more to bring back here. Thanks for a great comment as always Bob, I am glad we have such great conversations, always great to see you. 
@Earl, Heya Earl! Fab to see you here. I love your description of how you became calm and balanced, very inspiring and you make a great point about the negative effects of craving something we like and detesting something you don't...both can be damaging. I am finding 'saying no' is really all about practice... I seem to have had a lot of practice this year fighting my corner (just one of those years!
) but it has actually helped me develop that.
Thanks for dropping in Earl.
@Gordie, Hey Gordie.
I agree, it keeps life moving in the right direction doesn't it? thanks for stopping by. Jen
Great post. I'm decluttering my life right now, and for me, the clutter is symbolic that things are out of balance. Wonderful lessons on this and a daily practice for sure.
Thanks Shannon, a great example.
I have to say that I have mixed feelings about balance. There are defiantly some concepts of balance that I embrace and some areas of life that desperately need to be in balance. But on the other hand I would rather have more joy in my life then sadness, more creation then destruction and more love then loss. I think we must choose what we want to balance and what we want to let stay out of balance.
Quinn´s last blog ..Letting it go
Hey Quinn.
Great point! and I know some of the things that get out of balance for me, I don't mind so much i.e. I love reading, but I think that's a pretty healthy pastime, as you say it's about choosing what we balance or don't balance.
Nice to meet you.
Thanks for coming by and leaving a comment.
Jen