Back to Work, Back to the Mind
The holidays are over, and I already sense how work-related thoughts begin to take up more and more space in my mind. I can feel tension—and even overwhelm—slowly building in my chest.
But now, after two burnouts, I know that I need to catch myself before those feelings take over—before I slip into automatic mode, just ticking off tasks on a never-ending to-do list.
“It takes courage to say yes to rest and play in a culture where exhaustion is seen as a status symbol.”
— Brené Brown
Saying Yes to Balance
I’ve learned that there are tools that can help us stay balanced. But just as importantly, my journey through healing from burnout has taught me that not all tools work the same for everyone. Some are deeply helpful, while others might not resonate as much. That’s why part of staying balanced, in my experience, is identifying which tools genuinely support you.
To do that, it’s essential to recognize when and how you begin to feel off balance. For me, that discovery starts by tuning in each day to the signals my body sends—those subtle, internal cues that help me regulate from the inside out.
This is what I call my everyday balance mode. It’s a quiet, intentional rhythm woven into my daily life—a grounding practice that keeps me connected to my authentic self.
Redefining Balance
We often think of balance as something to reach for only when life starts to feel too hard—when we’re too overwhelmed, too tired, too disconnected.
But true balance isn’t a rescue mission. It’s a rhythm.
A gentle return to center, again and again, each day.
The image I painted—of a figure meditating atop a Zen tower, holding a butterfly in one hand and a computer in the other—emerged from this very truth.
In one palm: inner harmony, a sense of being in the now. The inner realm.
In the other: the pulse of tasks, communication, and productivity. The outer realm.
Both real. Both necessary. Both deserving of space.
Balance is not something we “achieve” and then check off a list.
It’s something we tend to—like a garden.
Some days it comes naturally.
Other days, it takes more intention.
But much like weeds returning or petals falling, the work is never truly done.
And so the practice of balance, too, is ongoing. A lifelong tending.
A Way of Being
For me, living in harmony is not a destination—it’s a way of being.
A conscious choice I make each morning when I wake up.
A choice to contribute something positive to the world.
And to do that, I need to be centered. I need to be aligned.
Simple Anchors, Deep Roots
And no, I’m not talking about meditating for hours before work.
Sometimes, it’s just a few deep breaths paired with a clear intention.
And throughout the day, it’s the small rituals that help me return to center—like:
- Looking out the window to see the trees
- Opening the window to hear the birds
- Savoring my tea with my eyes closed, feeling its warmth fully
These simple acts are my daily reminders.
They anchor me in the now. They help me return to balance—again and again.
So I can show up fully, for my work and for the people around me.
As we step back into the rhythm of work and life, I invite you to find your own simple anchors.
Let nature restore your inner calm.
Let stillness strengthen your clarity.
Let balance become your quiet guide.
Wishing you a grounded, joyful return—one breath, one moment, one day at a time.
Karin
This post is part of my #HarmoniousLivingSeries, where I share insights and tools that helped me overcome burnout and cultivate a deeper sense of balance. I hope it inspires and equips you with actionable ideas to bring more harmony into your life and work.
