In our fast paced society, do you ever feel like life is one giant roller coaster of highs and lows?
Are you looking to find balance in all areas of your life?
Many of my clients have struggled to find the answers to these questions. If you are struggling to find balance in life, I will work with you holistically and address the following areas of your life: your psychological self, including thoughts and emotions; your social and physical wellbeing; and also your spiritual self, that is, where you find meaning and purpose in life.
A pathway to growth and finding balance can be through self-awareness and to assess what is happening in our lives. Healing and change may come through an exploration of self, by learning acceptance, forgiveness, responsibility, and “letting go of hurts and resentments, by dealing with guilt and by learning to let go of self-destructive patterns of thinking , feeling and acting” (Corey, Corey, Corey & Callanan, 2015, p. 86).
Steps to a Life in Balance
The process starts with a wellbeing audit, to check how you are feeling about the various areas of your life.
- Psychological – A person’s thoughts and emotions can lead them into unhelpful thinking habits. We would address these to find if your beliefs about yourself, others and the world are restricting you or enhancing your life, and if necessary, find ways of adjusting the thought patterns, which in turn affects your emotions and behaviour in a positive way.
- Social – Your social wellbeing can incorporate your relationships, activities, hobbies and family etc. “The key to a good life is to acknowledge that our essential nature is social, not individual” (Mackay, 2013, p. 255). Some people may have limited social contact, and loneliness and isolation can inhibit a person’s ability to grow and heal; while others have such a busy social life, we look at boundaries to set healthy expectations for ourselves and others, as some social environments may reinforce dysfunctional behaviour.
- Physical – Your physical wellbeing is often centred around gaining balance through practising self-care. Self-care means managing your health, your diet and thinking about what your body needs. (Find out more about self-care in my other article).
- Spiritual – Your spiritual aspect can be your religion, faith or where you find meaning and purpose in your life. Your belief system will be respected at all times.
Each one of these aspects of your self are inter-related; if one area is out of balance it often affects the other areas of your life. When we work together to observe the areas that may be out of balance, I aim to provide you with tools to regain balance and a greater insight into maintaining your wellbeing so you can enjoy life in balance.
Author: Fiona Muller, B Soc Sc, Major in Counselling; Member of PACFA and CCAA.
Fiona is a registered counsellor working with both individuals and couples. Having previously worked with women’s groups, aged care, child care, pre-marriage counselling and community outreach programs, and married for nearly 30 years with two young adult children, Fiona’s experiences have given her a greater understanding and empathy of the many challenges and losses that life brings.
To make an appointment try Online Booking. Alternatively, you can call M1 Psychology Brisbane on (07) 3067 9129.
References:
- Corey, G. , Corey, M. S. , Corey, C., & Callanan, P. (2015). (9th Ed.). Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions. Stamford, CT: Cengage.
- Mackay, H. (2013). The Good Life: What makes a life worth living? Sydney, Australia: Macmillan.