Finding Balance…

Posted by Michelle Harrington on Sep 9th, 2008

There’s always a million things to do…. I’m constantly moving between my responsibilities as a mom, head of household and as a business owner.  At times I feel like my responsibilities consume me and evaporate any free moment I may have had to just “be” and enjoy myself.

Paddleboarding at Hanalei Bay

I’ve got that workaholic tendency in my blood, it runs in my family I guess.  I also love what I do and that keeps me in my office working longer than is probably healthy.  As time speeds by, and my daughter grows up in “fast forward” time, I keep reaching for that place of balance – not knowing exactly where it is, but wanting to make sure I include some fun, indulgence and “down time” along with all of the work that I do.

Here’s a few things I’ve been doing to help keep my sanity and maintain balance in my life:

1. Stand up paddle boarding – I splurged and bought myself a SUP (stand up paddleboard) recently.  I love paddling the Wailua River as my evening meditation.  Every muscle in my body gets a workout and the view of the sun slipping behind the mountains is always different and simply breathtaking.
2. Indulge once in awhile. I’ve got an intense sweet tooth.  To say I like Chocolate is a terrible understatement.  I’m concerned about my health and try to eat well, take supplements, see Naturopath Doctors and all that jazz, but I’ve just got to have my chocolate – quite simply because it makes me feel good!  My family and I recently happened upon “Sweet Marie’s” across from Foodland in Kapaa.  Yow!  This fireball of a baker and small business owner is amazing and the desserts she is pumping out of her tiny kitchen are simply to die for!  She uses high quality ingredients and all desserts are wheat and Gluten-free, perfect for those with sensitivities – or not.
3. Plant a garden….although mine isn’t much of a garden, it’s actually some pots on my back porch, but I love being able to grow my favorite fresh herbs and vegetables at home.  I love digging in the dirt and it gives me an excuse to step away from the computer now and then to water and tend to my garden.
4. Go for a morning swim. There’s nothing like starting the day with a swim in the ocean to energize me for the day, it helps wash away the mental overload and muscle tension and gets things off to a great start!  Kealia is epic this time of year.
5. Try something new. I’m not a dancer, never have been and may never be.  But my partner, Paul loves to dance and part of my commitment to him when we met was that I would learn to dance with him.  So we’re taking a Tango class with some of our friends on Thursday nights in Kapaa.  At times I want to fall in a heap in the corner and give up but I’m realizing that this is such a great “exercise” to learn something new and get out of my head (I’m there most every waking hour of the day) and “feel” the connection with my partner.
6. Do some yoga. Each Saturday I make the trek to the West side for beachfront yoga with my partner and fabulous Yoga instructor, Paul Reynolds.  The view and setting are the perfect atmosphere for letting the work week “fade into the background” and I get reconnected with me.

Here’s to finding more joy and balance in our lives.  Life is short, live it well.

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Author | Michelle Harrington of Emagine Web Marketing
Michelle is a web development and internet marketing professional dedicated to helping small businesses in Hawaii achieve success online. Michelle provides free advice, tips and how to's on the Small Business Internet Marketing Blog.

3 Responses

1. Paul says:

   September 9, 2008 at 10:38 pm

   Great post – beautiful SUPBC (standuppaddleboardingchick)and I’m so lucky to be a part of her life

   MWAAAAAH:O)!!
2. cindy says:

   September 10, 2008 at 8:43 am

   Thanks for sharing! I also am so lucky to have the SUPBC in my life :0)(even though it’s from a million miles away)!:0(
   XOXO
3. cindy says:

   September 10, 2008 at 8:45 am

   love you!!! and miss you!!!