Alignment over balance

We live in a world that glorifies the juggle. We make plans, write lists, and squeeze tasks into every spare moment, all in the name of productivity. We chase the elusive idea of balance like it’s the ultimate marker of a well-lived life. But what if balance isn’t the goal? What if alignment is what we really need?

This idea hit home for me recently. I’ve always prided myself on being disciplined in routines, habits, and structure. But when I took a step back and reflected, I realised that my daily actions, while productive, weren’t always aligned with my core values.

And that’s the real issue.

You can be doing all the things, but if those things don’t align with what actually matters to you, you’ll still feel out of balance and unsatisfied with your life.

Life isn't as straightforward as we'd like, it ebbs and flows, and there will be seasons that feel harder, some easier. And in each season, what alignment looks like might change. That’s not only okay, it’s natural.

Instead of pushing for a perfect work-life balance (which often doesn’t exist), we can ride the wave, tuning into what season we’re in and adjusting how we show up accordingly. Because true alignment means living in a way that honours your values, your priorities, and your capacity in this moment, not in some imagined version of a perfect, productive life.

Ask Yourself:

💭 What matters most to me right now? 💭 Where am I focusing my energy each day?

If your answers to those two questions don’t line up, it may be time for a shift. That might mean changing your routine, letting go of something you thought you “should” do, or simply giving yourself permission to do less. Alignment isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing what actually matters.

My Own Alignment Wake-Up Call

Since returning to full-time work, I’ve been trying to find the right balance for all things home and life — exercise, a shower, a nutritious dinner, tidying the house, social outings and spending quality time with my daughter and husband. I was pushing to fit it all in, thinking that’s what balance looked like.

But at the end of the day, I still felt like something wasn’t working. So, I asked myself the above two questions, and it became so clear: these lists didn’t align. I'm going to share my answers with you for transparency and to simply provide an example.

What matters most to me right now?

• Nurturing my loved ones (value = family, connection & love)

• Self-development and self-love (value = growth, wellbeing & success)

• Being kind and understanding (value = kindness, patience & open-mindness)

  
  

Where am I focusing my energy each day?

• Organised and clean house (value = time & order)

• Work (value = ambition, success & growth)

• Family time (value = family, connection & love)

By pouring so much energy into keeping the house tidy and checking off tasks, I wasn’t nurturing my loved ones the way I wanted to. I wasn’t showing up as the kind, present mum I aspire to be. And I definitely wasn’t making space for my own growth or wellbeing.

That realisation hit hard, but it also created room for change. I decided to let go of what didn’t truly matter. To stop trying to do it all and instead focus on what brings me joy and connection. Alignment meant loosening my grip on the perfectly clean house and embracing messy play, cuddles on the couch, a slower dinner, and even skipping a workout when what I really need is rest.

So here’s my reminder to you (and me)...

You don’t need to have it all balanced, you just need to be in alignment and that can be enough.