It’s been a good Christmas Day. That’s the first time I’ve been able to say that and mean it in about ten years. Up until now, I’ve spent so much time worrying about what we didn’t have that there was no enjoyment in the day at all. It was just another day of stress designed to remind me that I wasn’t as successful with my life as I wanted to be. I also realize now that I’ve always compared these Christmases to the ones we had when I was a child… when I didn’t have any responsibilities except to enjoy the day. And when I wasn’t doing that I was busy telling myself that next year things would be better. Not once in the last ten years did I just sit down and enjoy the day as it was for what it was. Until today.

There’s definitely something to this whole living in the moment thing. Having experienced it once, it’s a feeling I want more of in the coming year.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a need for looking forward, or looking back to some extent. Accepting each minute as it the gift that it is creates an amazing feeling of peace in the moment. But the historian in me still wants to remember and look at the past and dissect it to know what I can do better in the next moment. And the optimist in me still wants to look forward and plan for tomorrow so that all my future moments can be as amazing as this one.

The trick for me is going to be in finding a balance between remembering, planning, and doing. And remembering to enjoy it as it happens, not file it away under the “I’ll think about it tomorrow” category.

For today, I’ll enjoy the feeling of peace and accept this gift for what it was. Stress-free, worry-free days don’t come often enough for me. My path isn’t that smooth just yet. But I’m getting there, and for that I’m very thankful.

Personal balance is something that a lot of people, me included, have a hard time achieving. We often allow ourselves to be pulled in many different directions as we try to balance our own needs with those of the people around us. That’s especially true during the holiday season when there’s always somewhere to be and something that needs to be done.

Here are a few tips that I’ve found helpful in maintaining a sense of balance when things get too hectic.

1. Practice some basic time management skills. Take some time out to really look at your schedule and notice when you’re trying to fit more into your day than is physically possible. Make sure that you are leaving enough time in between appointments that you don’t get caught having to be two places at once. What I find helps is to schedule a fifteen minute buffer zone around each appointment so that if I’m running late I’m covered, and if I’m on time I actually have a few minutes to myself to relax and catch my breath.

2. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. In other words, know your limits and stick to them. I know I’m not really one to talk here because I consistently take on more than I should. But hey, I’m trying to break this habit even as I write this. It’s really important that you take care of yourself by knowing what you can handle at not allowing yourself to be stretched beyond that point.

And that brings me to my final point…

3. Learn how to say no. Don’t allow yourself to get hung up on the idea that people will be mad at you if you don’t jump to do their bidding at the expense of taking care of yourself. Too often we allow ourselves to become “yes” people because we worry about how others see us. If you allow yourself to say no instead of overwhelming yourself by taking care of everyone else’s needs you might just be surprised at the outcome. You’ll feel more self-confident and happier when you’re taking care of yourself. And after they get over their initial upset at you saying no, other people will realize that you’re happier and more relaxed too.

So there you have it. I know it’s sometimes easier said than done, but you are the only one who can find the balance that you need in your life. By keeping these tips in mind and acting on them when necessary, you will find yourself one step closer to having the balanced life you deserve.