Together We Pause - Episode 2: What is Balance and How Do We Achieve It?
In this episode of Together We Pause, Faye Cornhill and Helen Hopkins dive into the concept of balance, exploring what it means and how it can be achieved, especially during midlife. They discuss their personal perspectives on balance, share practical tips, and offer insights into how they manage the demands of life, self-care, and hormonal changes.
What’s Inside This Episode:
- Defining Balance: Faye and Helen kick off the episode by sharing their personal definitions of balance. For Faye, balance is about a sense of control and order, especially in a tidy home, while Helen sees it as a combination of actions and feelings. Both agree that balance is highly subjective, with no one-size-fits-all solution.
- Daily Habits for Balance: Helen talks about how her daily habits—like morning walks and indulgent bath rituals—help her maintain a sense of balance. Faye shares her focus on self-prescription and the importance of routines in her day-to-day life. They both emphasize the role of these small but consistent practices in coping with life's pressures.
- Setting Boundaries and Self-Care: Faye highlights the importance of setting boundaries to protect personal time and space. They both discuss the generational shift in expectations, particularly for women, and how saying “no” is essential to maintaining balance. The conversation emphasizes the importance of being kind to oneself and prioritizing self-care.
- Hormonal Changes and Their Impact: Faye and Helen open up about the challenges of hormonal changes in midlife and how they can impact mental and physical well-being. They share their experiences with pre-HRT struggles, feelings of frustration, and the need for support during this transition.
- Practical Tips for Achieving Balance: Faye and Helen offer practical suggestions for maintaining balance, including making lists of joyful activities, experimenting with new routines, and embracing discomfort when trying new things. Faye shares her tip of hiring a cleaner to reduce stress, while Helen encourages listeners to embrace activities that bring happiness.
- Navigating Midlife and Parenthood: Faye and Helen reflect on how midlife presents unique challenges, especially when combined with the demands of parenthood. They discuss the differences between their experiences and those of previous generations, and the importance of setting new expectations for themselves as mothers and women in midlife.
- Closing Thoughts & Future Topics: The episode wraps up with a reminder that balance is not a linear process—it’s about navigating the ups and downs of life. Faye and Helen preview future topics, including body changes in midlife, and express their hope that the episode provides useful tools and reassurance to listeners.
Action Items:
- Experiment with activities that bring joy and happiness.
- Lean into the discomfort of trying new things, like ice baths, to see if they are beneficial.
- Make a list of reasons for feeling overwhelmed and changes in the body that may contribute to imbalance.
- Explore ways to make daily tasks easier, such as hiring a cleaner.
Call to Action:
If you’re ready to explore the journey of finding balance in midlife, grab a cup of tea and join Faye and Helen for this insightful conversation. Don’t forget to like and subscribe to Together We Pause for more tips and conversations on navigating midlife with grace.
Tune in now and start your journey toward balance!
