EngineerHer

It’s equinox season, which always feels like a natural time to pause and reflect. A moment of balance between light and dark, day and night. It’s a nice follow-on from a post on my other blog last week (although that one is more spiritually oriented, so consider yourself warned if you head over there!)

For years, September felt like a fresh start—thanks to 18 years in full-time education and two teacher parents, the school year rhythm is deeply embedded in me. But over time, I’ve shifted to a more cyclical way of living, thinking in terms of dreaming, planting, growing, and harvesting. September now feels less like a “new year” and more like a “check-in and take stock” moment.

And with the evenings getting longer, sunsets arriving earlier, and the weather cooling down, it’s a perfect time to think about balance.

What Do I Mean by Balance?

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been feeling the effects of imbalance—particularly around work. One night I worked until midnight and had to stay in a hotel near the office because I wasn’t fit to drive home. That one night had a ripple effect: poor sleep, disrupted eating, and less time with my husband. It took days to recover.

So I took a pause.

I woke at 4:30am one morning and couldn’t get back to sleep. Instead of diving into work or scrolling on my phone, I chose to meditate. Wrapped in a blanket, sitting quietly, I gave myself space to breathe. It felt like coming home—warm, inviting, and comforting. Exactly what I needed.

And yes, I’ve started rewatching Buffy from Season 2, which is never a great sign in my life…

What Am I Looking to Achieve?

For me, balance means tending to body, mind, and soul. My mind gets plenty of exercise through work and study—no shortage there! But my body and soul? They’ve been neglected.

Even the gym has fallen by the wayside in recent months. I just didn’t have the energy or time.

So I’m reclaiming that space. I’m rebuilding the structure that works for me: morning meditation and movement, prepared meals instead of canteen food, time for the gym, and time for myself that doesn’t involve doom-scrolling or mindless TV.

And let’s be clear—balance doesn’t mean equal. Sometimes work needs to take centre stage. But now, it’s time to rebalance and shift some energy back to the other parts of life.

What Could This Look Like for You?

Take a moment to assess your own balance. Are you happy with how you’re spending your time across mind, body, and soul? Or maybe your categories are different—perhaps it’s work, relationships, and creativity. Whatever your framework, ask yourself:

• What’s taking up most of my energy?
• What’s being neglected?
• What small changes could help me feel more grounded?

Balance isn’t static—it shifts with the seasons, with life events, with career demands. But noticing the imbalance is the first step to restoring it.