The other morning, I caught myself rushing through my day before it had even begun.
My coffee was brewing, I was unloading my dishwasher while at the same time folding my laundry, checking my phone, and mentally making lists of everything I wanted to accomplish. It wasn’t even 8:00 a.m!
This was unsettling as I had skipped over the quiet moments that I usually treasure.
I stopped. I sat down. It made me wonder how often we confuse movement with progress.
And I wrote down on a piece of paper that I keep my my desk these three simple words: balance, breathing, and being.
“Balance” isn't something I believe we achieve once and then hold onto forever. It's more like standing on one foot. We wobble. We adjust. We lean too far in one direction, notice it, and with effort, we find our way back.
Some days balance means exercising and making a home cooked meal. Other days it means canceling plans, ordering takeout, and laying down for a bit.
For so many years, I thought balance meant eating perfectly, exercising consistently, and managing every responsibility with ease.
Now I see balance very differently. It's allowing life to ebb and flow without believing we've failed every time things feel a little off.
“Breathing” has become my favorite way to return to that place.
When I notice myself feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or disconnected, I don't always need another strategy. Often, I simply need one slow breath and then a few more.
Breathing reminds us that our bodies already know how to care for us. It grounds our nervous system, quiets the mental chatter, and brings us back to the only place we can actually live, the present moment.
It's amazing how one intentional breath can interrupt a spiral of worry or self-criticism.
And then there's “Being”.
This may be the hardest one of all. I listened to my daughter describe her friend. She said “she gets it all done, she’s a go-getter”. We're taught to measure ourselves by how productive we are. We celebrate doing, achieving, fixing, and improving. But somewhere along the way, many of us forget how to “simply be”. To sit outside without reaching for our phones.To enjoy a meal without multitasking. To spend time with people we love without thinking about what's next. To appreciate our bodies for carrying us through another day instead of wishing to change.
Being doesn't mean giving up on growth. It means recognizing that we are worthy even while we're still growing. Intuitive eating has taught me that this is true not only with food but with life itself. We don't have to micromanage every bite, every workout, every emotion, or every moment to feel good. Sometimes, the healthiest thing we can do is breathe deeply, trust ourselves, and remember that balance is not in perfection.
This week, I invite you to notice your own three Bs. Where could you create a little more balance? When could you pause for one intentional breath? And how might your day change if you gave yourself permission to simply be?
You may find that everything you've been searching for isn't something you have to chase. It may already be waiting for you in the next breath.