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Getting the Balance Right?

By Tanya Nouwens

Real Estate Sales Representative with Immeubles Deakin Realty

May 30, 2009 03:00 AM

How do you know when your work/self balance is OK or when it's out of whack? I recently discovered that the state of my work/self balance is reflected in the state of my toenails -- more specifically, whether they're painted or not. And more specific than that, whether the nail polish is relatively fresh (anything under a month old is good for me), contains less chips than I have toes, and is in a colour that has been seen in some salon or pharmacy, somewhere, in the last decade.

And so yesterday, when I found the time to paint my toenails -- and no, one coat does not count -- AND to let them dry before I shoved my feet into some high heels and clicked off to an appointment, I realized all's well, at least for the moment, in the work/self balance of Tanya's universe.

Yup, if I can find 10 minutes to do something for myself, that makes me feel a wee bit prettier than I did 10 minutes ago and that makes me feel like someone is taking care of me, I'm feeling pretty good, all things considered. (Of course, the fact that I only need 10 minutes of attention to feel like I'm being cared for is the subject of another blog...and long discussions with my therapist :)

What about you? How do you know when you've got the balance right?

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Janelle Fisher, Instinctive Staging & Design, Seattle Wa.

Instinctive Staging & Design, LLC - Seattle, WA

Tanya,

Funny your gauge is toe nails.. mines is fingernails. I don't do acrylics or get manicures. Usually a double clear coat every few days is enough to keep them healthy, strong and at a pretty decent natural length. When I notice them breaking easily, splitting and chipping, I know I need to make some me time. Being a single mother, working full time and starting my own staging business, doesn't leave alot of 'me' time. Very important to take timeout for yourself.

May 30, 2009 10:07 AM

Beth Lester

Beth Lester Designs - Torrance, CA

Home Staging & Interior Decorating

Hmmm, I'm lame with both my toe and fingernails, so I'd better not use that. I guess I would say that my test is two things: 1) If I'm grumpy with my family. 2) If I've had time to take at least one bath a week with a good book to read.

May 30, 2009 01:35 PM

Tanya Nouwens

Immeubles Deakin Realty - Montreal West Island, QC

Montreal Real Estate Broker & Stager

Janelle and Beth: Thanks for sharing your gauges/tests. Often, particularly as women, we're very good at identifying what is important to our families but it's a bit harder sometimes to think about the little things that make us as individuals, completely unrelated to others, feel happy.

Hmmm, that bath and book sound yummy. I think I have my Sunday evening plans lined up!

May 31, 2009 02:46 AM

Janis Gaines

Staging Sells Eugene Homes - Eugene, OR

Home Stager Eugene OR - The Notably Well-Dressed H

Oh - so I'm supposed to have balance in my life? Thanks for the reminder ...say, what's that, there, close to the ground...oh my, I see some chips in that toenail polish. Guess I should take your lead and get a quick 10 minutes in as well. One for each of my toes! ;=

May 31, 2009 04:59 PM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Wow - a reminder about balance, something I need to hear! I've worked for 20 days straight without a day off and I'm beginning to forget what a normal life is. Time to schedule a DAY OFF and get in some R&R -- and I'll give myself a manicure too.

May 31, 2009 05:35 PM

Janis: When I was in my 20s, my favourite saying was, "Just when you think you've got it all together, your dentist asks if you floss your teeth." Now that I'm in my 40s, and a compulsive flosser, my new favourite saying is, "If it's not one thing, it's your mother." And that about sums it up for me!

Maureen: I hear you. Sometimes, we can get away with a few minutes here and there to take care of ourselves but there inevitably comes a time, particularly when we run our own businesses (i.e., at all times, all days), when we need to book an entire day OFF. You go, girl.

Jun 01, 2009 12:10 PM

Sheldon Neal

Bergen County, NJ - RE/MAX Real Estate Limited - Maywood, NJ

That British Agent Bergen County NJ

Well, since you mentioned it, I checked my toenails.

They are actually in pretty good shape, no chips, but no polish ...

The '10 minutes for myself' thing is spot on !

If I get that 10 mins to play Guitar Hero with my little 3 yr old, or kick back and read a couple of magazines, I feel that little bit more energized !

... great analogy btw ! ...made me chuckle :o)

Cheers !

Sheldon

(and thanks for the subscribe to my blog :o) ... hope to see you in the comments some time ! All the best Tanya !!!)

Jun 20, 2009 10:42 AM

Sheldon: Guitar Hero rocks! I find I can't possibly sound much worse than the Cranberries vocalist so I love it. It's also the only thing that gets my 11-year-old son to actually sing out loud. As for my 8-year-old son, he requires absolutely no excuse to make noise :) Rock on!

Jun 21, 2009 02:10 AM

Getting the Balance Right?

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