When Balance Became a Chore

“How come I didn’t notice it up until now?”

Somewhere along the way, balancing my day-to-day life started feeling like something I had to maintain instead of nourishing myself. Working, creating an article or recipe, learning languages, exercising…

“Come on, just showing up every day.” Before I knew it, even something that once felt rejuvenating turned into tasks.

• “Post once a week”
• “Stay consistent. That’s key to success”
• “Keep the promise”

The other day, I was watching a new video titled “the paradox of balance” from my favorite Youtube channel Life of Riza. One passage really resonated with me.

“Maybe it’s about letting the scales tip intentionally, letting ourselves be all in when it matters and all out when it doesn’t.”

― “the paradox of balance” by Life of Riza

This made me realize how hard I’d been trying to keep my work and life matters balanced― despite that what I really needed was the permission to let the scales tip.

At the end of this video, the creator Riza tears up the wish list of her 20s, saying that making the list was a way to disprove herself, that she was not somebody who didn’t follow through one’s promise…yet she proved it right.

It stuck with me because of where I am right now.

I’m in the middle of a transition: between countries, between work, between seasons of life, between who I used to be and who I’m becoming. At some point, trying to keep stuff balanced during this unstable time became another mental burden.

And I think balance, especially during this transition period, is not something to micromanage―but something to just observe and accept.

Some days, this observation looks like walking through fallen leaves, pausing and greeting the blessing of this cold season rather than rushing through it.

Some days, it means winding down, like spacing out in a warm bath after a long day.

Some days, it means ditching the bubble of balancing at all and putting myself in the hard yards no matter how long.

Albert Einstein once said:

““Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”

It’s not about giving up, but rather about learning a different approach to keep moving ― skillfully, flexibly, and intentionally.

Musu

Is there something in your life that has quietly become a chore, even though it once felt like care?

Musu

Japanese Blogger

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A Japanese flexitarian, based in Japan and the Netherlands.
Centered around well-being, I share Japanese plant-based recipes, cross-cultural stories, and ideas for a healthy, peaceful, intentional life.
Mainly writing in English and Dutch.
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