So, for the last few days, we've been talking about balance and the lack thereof. Today, I will discuss some strategies for addressing the imbalance that might exist in your life.

• Consider taking a media break. It's really easy to be overwhelmed by everything happening in the world – or even your little corner of it. Stepping away from social media, television, radio, and even the newspaper for a few days can give you a moment to catch your breath and decide where you will put your energies.
• Choose 3-5 things to which you will dedicate your energy over the next 2-3 months. Let's face it — you can't do everything. No one can. Only you can pick things to focus on. Maybe you will will volunteer in your community or exercise more intentionally or work on your house or make contact with relatives or friends you haven't spoken to in a while or plan some family outings or push hard to complete a work project. The key is to pick a limited number of things for a limited period of time. At the end of  the time, you can keep the things that gave you life and energy and replace everything else. Or things may vary by the season.
• Schedule your time. Block out defined periods of time for things that matter to you. Other tasks fit around them or don't get done. (True emergencies excepted, of course.) A quick glance at your weekly calendar should make your priorities clear.
• Make a daily list and cross things off as you go. Make sure that at least a few things are very simple — but essential. It will keep you on track and give you a feeling of satisfaction.
• Simplify your daily routine of things that you need to do to keep your head above water: pay the bills, cook meals, do laundry, etc. Do what you have to, but keep it as simple as possible. Unless becoming a better cook is one of your priorities, this is not the time to break out new recipes. Go for simple, tried, and true.

Maybe you can't live like this all the time. I know I can't. My life is very complex. But taking a few months (or even one month) each year to live like this can help to restore some much-needed balance.