“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm, and harmony.” – Thomas Merton

As part of the Mykonos and Milos balance retreat, we embark on a three-part journaling exercise that delves deep into the exploration of finding balance in our lives. Through introspection and reflection, this exercise guides us on a journey of self-discovery and empowers us to create a harmonious equilibrium in our daily existence.

First, we embark on an exploration of Yin and Yang. In our journals, we can delve into the qualities of receptivity and assertiveness, introspection and action. By examining the areas of our lives that embody Yin and Yang, we gain a deeper understanding of the energies at play and how they influence our sense of balance.

Next, we turn our attention to the wheel of life. Your wheel representing core pillars in your life such as relationships, career, health, and personal growth. We then assess and reflect upon each aspect and through honest introspection, we rate our level of satisfaction in each area and identify imbalances. Journaling prompts us to consider how we can allocate our time, energy, and attention more mindfully, ensuring that each area receives the care and nourishment it deserves.

Finally, we engage in a visualization exercise for a balanced life. With closed eyes and a quiet mind, we imagine our ideal state of balance in vivid detail. Using our journals as a canvas, we describe the feelings, sensations, and experiences we desire. Through this visualization practice, we tap into our innate wisdom and intuition, gaining clarity about the changes we need to make and the steps we can take to create a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Before you begin:

Set aside dedicated time in a quiet and comfortable space where you can take the time to reflect and write. Allow at least half an hour or more and if you have something planned afterwards, set a gentle alarm so you aren’t checking the clock. Turn your phone and devices to do not disturb and remove them from your space to avoid the temptation to reach out to them. Prepare a journal and pen and when you are ready to start, close your eyes and take a minimum of 7 deep breaths to center yourself and be present in your space.
These three exercises must be done in order and can be done in one sitting or you can break each section into a different sitting. However they compliment and enhance each other, so endeavour to not leave it too long between each exercise. Body Holiday invites you to revisit these exercises. As time changes what Balance means to you, you may discover different things out of the same exercise and different times in your life.

Journaling to find balance Pt 1. – Yin and Yang

The aim of this exercise is to explore the aspects of your life that exhibit qualities of Yin (calming, receptive, nurturing) and Yang (dynamic, active, assertive). Reflect on each prompt and write down your thoughts and observations.

Remember, this exercise is a personal exploration of Yin and Yang in your life. There is no right or wrong answer. Allow yourself to freely express your thoughts and feelings. By gaining a deeper understanding of the Yin and Yang aspects of your life, you can work towards creating a more harmonious and balanced existence.

Yin Qualities:

Identify areas of your life that embody Yin qualities. These may include aspects that are nurturing, introspective, calm, or receptive. Examples could be self-care practices, time spent in solitude, or activities that bring you peace and tranquility. Write down these areas and describe why you consider them Yin.

Yang Qualities:

Identify areas of your life that exhibit Yang qualities. These may include aspects that are action-oriented, assertive, ambitious, or goal-driven. Examples could be work-related tasks, physical exercise, or engaging in activities that require focus and effort. Write down these areas and describe why you consider them Yang.

Reflection:

Identify areas of your life that exhibit Yang qualities. These may include aspects that are action-oriented, assertive, ambitious, or goal-driven. Examples could be work-related tasks, physical exercise, or engaging in activities that require focus and effort. Write down these areas and describe why you consider them Yang.

Integration:

Identify areas of your life that exhibit Yang qualities. These may include aspects that are action-oriented, assertive, ambitious, or goal-driven. Examples could be work-related tasks, physical exercise, or engaging in activities that require focus and effort. Write down these areas and describe why you consider them Yang.

Action:

Identify areas of your life that exhibit Yang qualities. These may include aspects that are action-oriented, assertive, ambitious, or goal-driven. Examples could be work-related tasks, physical exercise, or engaging in activities that require focus and effort. Write down these areas and describe why you consider them Yang.

Journaling to find balance Pt 2: Wheel of Life

1. Reflect on the below list of core areas in your life. Add any you please. Draw a large circle on a blank page, dividing it into the same amount of equal sections as there is core areas on your list. Label each section with your core areas.
   – Career/Work, Relationships
   – Mental and physical Health
   – Personal Growth
   – Financial Health
   – Recreation/Leisure
2. Reflect on each area and rate your current level of satisfaction or fulfilment on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being extremely dissatisfied and 10 being fully satisfied). Write down a brief explanation of why you gave each rating.
3. Consider your current priorities and values. Are the highest scoring areas of the wheel currently aligning with what truly matters to you? If not, what adjustments can you make?
4. Bring awareness to your environment. How do the people around you and your space impact your scores? Are there any changes you can make to create a more harmonious enviroment that would nurture higher scores in any areas?
5. Bring attention to the lowest scoring areas. Are there any ways you could incorporate your knowledge of Yin and Yang to enhance and lift your score in the lower scoring areas, creating more balanced scores all round? For example: If your mental and physical health is one of the lower scores, using yin by getting to bed an hour earlier to have more yang energy to do an early morning workout which benefits physical and mental health.
6. Analyse each area individually to find Yin and Yang. Identify any areas that are Yin or Yang and dominant and consider ways where bringing more balance to that area may elevate that score.
7. We may not always be able to give everything to every area in our lives. Right now identify the top 3 areas that you see as your current priority. Consider ways you could bring more balance and harmony to these areas.

Journaling to find balance Pt 3: Visualisation of balance

1. Imagine your ideal balanced life. What would it look, sound, smell, taste and feel like? Move through each sense to visualise in more realistic detail by writing the answers to the below.– What and who do you see?
   – What sounds do you hear?
   – What was your last meal and what can you taste?
   – Can you smell anything?
   – What can you feel on your skin?
   – Name at least 3 emotions you are feeling
2. How would you spend your time? Who would be present in your life? Visualise it in detail.
3. What would your priorities be? Are they the same as your current priorities? If not, are there some ways in which you might consider shifting your current priorities to the priorities you have in your visualised life?
4. How could you use your tools of Yin and Yang to bring your current life closer to your visualisation?
5. Are there any self-limiting beliefs or negative thought patterns that could create barriers to making this your current life? How can you challenge and reframe them?
6. What are some small changes you can make in your daily routine to create more space in your current life to become more aligned with your visualised life?
7. Set a goal around any using any of the tools above that could help bring you closer to your visualised life. Set a time frame in which you think it is achievable to check back in with yourself. Reflect on any ways using these tools have created a more balanced life.

Armed with newfound insights and clarity, we aim to leave this three part exercise with a deeper sense of purpose and direction. Remember, journaling is a personal and flexible practice. You can customize it to fit your needs, preferences, and circumstances. Consistency is key. The more you engage in journaling as a reflective practice, the more insights and clarity you can gain, leading you to make meaningful changes and find greater balance in your life. The Mykonos and Milos balance retreat has provided us with the tools to use towards the pursuit of harmony. As we continue our journey beyond the retreat, we carry the wisdom gained through journaling, knowing that we have the power to create a life that is balanced, fulfilling, and aligned with our true selves.

If you haven’t already, immerse yourself in our balanced Mykonos + Milos retreat.