For educators

I use the metaphor of a tree to guide you in the process of finding balance. A tree grows new leaves every spring and then lets them go each autumn. Like the tree, we add new things into our lives and let others go. However, in the current culture of urgency and busyness, we often continue growing new leaves (adding more things), but then forget to let go of other leaves to make more space. This results in “overfullness”, stress, and lack of balance.

The first step on the journey towards greater balance is investing time to consider your deepest values. What’s important to you? What has the most meaning and purpose? These are the leaves you want to create space for so they can thrive. 

In the next step we consider which leaves we can let go of. Think about questions such as: What do I spend time and/or energy on that does not serve me well? What do I do on autopilot? You choose one  to let go of. 

Once you’ve let go of that leaf, you’ve created more space for the priority, highly valued leaves to grow and thrive. Step three focuses on making those changes stick, and creating a new habit.

The feeling of relief and greater sense of balance that comes from this is wonderful! It also allows for the space and time to start the process again and again. Each time you find another leaf to let go, you create a self-reinforcing pathway to a more balanced and purposeful life.