MY BALANCED WEEKEND. 28 Feb 2012

This past weekend was a dream.  Every other weekend, I have Saturday AND Sunday off which means no Lithe (well, kinda), no meetings, and no driving.  Just a lot of R & R and family time. On Saturday, Jordan and I made brunch, roasted root vegetables and drank St-Germain Mimosas.  Mars started to crawl and I must have taken a million photos.  I read magazines, caught up with some friends over email and then researched a bit for Lithe LA while it snowed. On Sunday, we headed down to Penn Treaty Park and then over to Yards for a beer and a bite.  

I seem so balanced, right?  Wrong!  I think that balance is so important yet such a struggle to achieve.  I don't always have weekends that are this relaxing and my weekdays can be absolutely insane.  Like, non-stop on the go, beat-me-up overwhelming at times.  After work I get home, relieve my sitter, feed, bathe and put Mars to bed and then eat dinner, work a bit and then collapse into bed.  I know so many of us are in the same boat.  How do some of you try to find your balance?  

Images of Lauren at home, Mars and food via Lauren's Canon EOS Rebel

Comments

[Julia]

I try to reserve Sunday as the day of rest. Sometimes I lithe but I don't make it a point to schedule on Sundays. I enjoy spending time with family or friends, either out at the art museum, spending time in the country or just bumming around the house.

[M]

Thanks for sharing this, Lauren. You are an inspiration. My strategy for balance is to not worry too much about it! When I'm throwing myself into things I love (such as Lithe, family, and especially my work) I feel energized, and the exhaustion I have at the end of the good is the *good* kind of exhausted. The conventional wisdom is that it is important for women to take time to "relax." I disagree. I think immersing oneself in productive, meaningful, challenging, rewarding activity is key to a satisfying, healthy life.

[Annemarie]

I LOVE the picture of Mars eating!! What is on that spoon?? I find it hard to find a balance....but weekends like that defintely help to recharge me!

[Anna W.]

you are so cute. and oh my word so is that baby. the open mouth photo? STOP it. i can't take the cuteness. i truly appreciate when people take the risk to shine the light onto what real life "actually" looks like. thanks for the peek!

[Marina L.]

It's funny that we used the same liqueur to balance out our weekend...I used it for a French Pear Martini :-)

I think that most of us struggle to find that balance. Knowing how to delegate, organize and let go are very important ingredients for a balanced life. Having friends, family is great but sometimes these are the people that add stress to our lives.

[amanda]

I try to remind myself that I'm more efficient at work (not to mention more stimulated and creative) when I'm balanced in other parts of my life. It's paradoxical that in order to work better, sometimes I have to work less.

I also agree that purposely setting aside one day for yourself (or an afternoon, or a morning, or an hour) is just good practice. To my knowledge, all major religions in the world dedicate one day a week for rest and reflection. It's the one thing they agree on, so it can't be wrong!

M raises a good point though, the notion of "relaxing" can be misleading. My 'down time' is often busy, pursuing interests or adventures I usually don't have time for. Though sometimes its nice to just peace out!

[Darla]

Love those photos! I have a hard time with balance too...between having a 2 year old, making art and starting a new business, I feel lucky if I get 5 minutes to breathe, let alone down time...so I started breaking down my day into 2 hour slots where I only focus on my art or the business or working on the house or my daughter for those 2 hours, and once the 2 hours is up, I shift gears to another focus. Having a time limit has made me more productive during those time so I have more time later on to relax. I haven't been doing it for long but already I notice a difference!

[Elizabeth]

To be honest, Lithe helps with my balance. I've learned to keep a regular workout schedule to build strength, stretch my flexibility, and manage stress.

Outside of the studio, I try to remember little, simple things that raise my quality of life and incorporate them into my daily routine. (The operative word there is *try* - sometimes its every other day, every three days, or just on the weekends.) As a former English major, I love a good work of fiction, and I'm usually reading 2-3 books at a time. I also read non-fiction, and my e-reader screen is filled with titles like "The Happiness Project," "Wheat Belly," "Real Food: What to Eat and Why," and a Lauren pick, "The Art of Eating In." That said, I find the fiction most relaxing.

From there, I try to make my home environment inviting - and a stark contrast from my corporate office environment. A good, scented candle (plus many, cheaper tea lights), some great tunes (I listen just about everything and choose an album or playlist depending on my mood), and a comfy throw make my nights/days at home.

The best - and most nourishing thing for me - are my friends and family. I'm a lucky lady in that respect, and the more I have them in my home, or catch up with them outside of it, the more enriched I feel.

[lauren Boggi Goldenberg]

I love hearing about everyone's ideas of down time and juggling. Thanks, M : ) A & AM, he was eating bananas. They are his fave! Marina, I'll have to try the pear for sure. Thanks for sharing!