Finding Balance: A Moving Target, Not a Final Destination

What I feel has been a mission of mine, and maybe yours too, is finding that sweet spot between the healthy and the enjoyable. Or better yet, learning how to make the healthy enjoyable, and the enjoyable healthy.

We’re often told that balance means avoiding extremes. And while that’s mostly true, I’ve come to believe that balance can also mean dancing with the extremes - when done with intention, self-awareness, and care.

My recent time in Argentina brought this lesson to life in a big way.

Objectively? It wasn’t a “healthy” trip in the traditional wellness-world sense. Travelling across the country in a van - nearly 3,000 km round trip - meant long hours sitting, plenty of wine, indulgent food, and far fewer exercise days than I’m used to.

And yet, it also meant joy. Deep presence. Laughter with Paulo. Family time. Stunning nature. And most importantly, it meant fully enjoying myself - without guilt. That’s a kind of nourishment I never want to forget.

One of the key practices that kept me anchored throughout it all was breathwork.
Breath is our direct line to the nervous system - and it’s always with us. It helps us feel safe. It brings us back into the body. It creates space to notice our emotions before they take the wheel.

But balance doesn’t just live in breathwork.

It’s in how we move.
It’s in how we eat.
It’s in how we speak to ourselves.

It’s in the small, daily choices - the micro-decisions - that shape our long-term well-being.

Let’s be honest: I still drank the wine.
But I did it consciously. I took hydration tablets. Started most mornings with protein-rich eggs to stabilise blood sugar. I moved when I could - a walk here, a stretch there. Not out of guilt or punishment, but out of respect for my body.

Because here’s the truth:

Balance gets easier when your foundation is strong.

I’ve spent years building healthy habits that support me - and those habits don’t vanish just because I’m on holiday. They flex with me. That’s the point.

🌿 Research Reminder:

Studies in positive psychology show that flexibility - rather than strict, rule-based adherence to health behaviours - is associated with better long-term mental and physical health outcomes. People with a flexible mindset around food and movement tend to experience less stress, more autonomy, and greater success over time compared to those caught in all-or-nothing thinking.

Balance is not a fixed destination.

It’s not something you find once and hold onto forever.

It’s a conversation.
A relationship.
A dance.

Some days you’ll feel like you’ve nailed it.
Other days, it’ll slip right through your fingers.

That’s okay. That’s human.

The idea is to build long-term health - and that requires trust, kindness, and consistency over time. It’s not the perfect 50-day streak that keeps you healthy - it’s doing your best each day, while creating space for the inevitable “down days.”

Here’s what I’ve found helps:

• Stay present. One breath at a time.

• Stay flexible. Life isn’t linear — neither is health.
   
• Be kind. Check in with yourself. Not every day will look the same — nor should it.
   
• Be grateful. Conscious gratitude helps life unfold more smoothly.
   
• Don’t chase perfection. Balance is messy. And that’s where its beauty lies.
   

So if you’re looking for your own sense of balance — start with awareness.
Breathe.
Move.
Nourish.
Laugh.
Cry if you need.

And remember: even the extremes can belong…
when you meet them with intention and a full heart.

Thank you for reading.
I hope this gives you permission to find your version of balance — whatever that looks like today.

With love,
Teo