Good Morning Texas’s Paige McCoy Smith discusses finding equilibrium in life’s tumultuous journey…
by Paige McCoy Smith | Contributor
People often inquire about how I manage to balance everything: kids, work, homework, marriage, carpooling, deadlines, and commuting… Just recounting it all makes me feel exhausted. I like to compare life to being in a canoe on an ocean, staying afloat by occasionally leaning left or right with the tide. This serene image holds until a harpoon punctures my little boat, causing me to sink. Everything can seem fine (thank you very much), until an illness, a broken water heater, or a last-minute 24-page report on the French Revolution that’s due tomorrow (yes—that actually happened) suddenly “rocks the boat.” Achieving balance feels elusive and nearly impossible. In fact, the best I can do in the quest for harmony is a mix of caffeine, Downward Dog yoga, and the occasional heartfelt cry. I’m not alone—I know many of you are in a similar canoe on the same ocean, bracing for the next tidal wave.
Even with good planning and intentions, life’s unexpected twists can throw everything out of balance. If you’re expecting this article to be a “how-to guide” for attaining that ideal balance, it’s best to look away and skip to another page. However, if you’re hoping for a comforting embrace the next time you find yourself late for carpool or nodding sympathetically in May as you still haven’t sent out your Christmas thank-you cards, you’ve come to the right spot.
I could suggest you “carve out time for self-care” or declare that “balance is a state of mind”—but let’s be real. You’re still going to overload yourself and feel disheartened when something slips through the cracks. My best advice? Be gentle with yourself. Strive to prioritize effectively, but also allow forgiveness for those times when things get muddled and tough decisions need to be made.
Here’s a practical tip I’m borrowing from a truly capable woman. Although she seemed to have everything under control, she admitted that many sleepless nights arose from daily tasks left undone. Her solution? Instead of crafting yet another “To-Do” list, she created a “Did-Do” list. She recorded all the accomplishments she achieved in a single day. This might include three loads of laundry, seven returned phone calls, or 125 cotton balls glued to a poster board for her son’s project.
So pour yourself that second glass of Chardonnay, take a few deep breaths, and recognize that it will all still be there waiting for you in the morning. So will your toughest critic. You know who she is… the one looking back at you in the mirror. When you meet her gaze, show some kindness. After all, at the end of the day, she’s the one steering the boat, keeping you afloat.
-Paige
PS: Tune in to see me on WFAA Channel 8 Monday through Friday at 9:00 AM!
