A Balanced Life.....

I was only young when I came up within this acronym, but it has stayed with me every day since. Weird how some things just follow you through your life, no matter what other things change.

I was (still am) always thinking about things, how to be happier, how to get where I wanted to go in life, how to get that boy to notice me, how to get fit when I couldn't run more than 100 metres without stopping for breath etc.... and my mind is still switched on permanently (if anyone out there has the OFF switch, can you lend it to me!). It was in one of my sleepless nights that I started to think that it must all be easier really - why make things hard for myself - just a few focussed thoughts on the day would make me appreciate what I had achieved, focus me for the following day, and sort of say goodnight to the day. It has worked for me every day since, and I am sharing it with you now.

To judge whether I was happy in my life, the simplest thing came to me - S.M.I.L.E was the key - it balanced my life and the results were a happier, smiling self!

S.M.I.L.E stands for Socialising, Management of the Home, Income, Leisure and Eating Well. (It has changed over the years slightly as my needs have changed, but the fundamental idea has stayed the same). The idea being that if I can do at least one thing every day for each of these headings, life will be complete, happier and more balanced. It works for me - so try it for yourself and MAKE YOURSELF S.M.I.L.E!!!


S - Socialising
Could be with friends, family, children, partners, making a telephone call, a coffee, night out, holiday etc.... - anything that has you talking with others and building relationships - vital to our happiness.

M - Management of the Home
Household Jobs, Errands, Shopping, Cooking, Decorating etc... - all the things that need doing but don't always get the recognition they deserve - they are key to keeping you and your family together - and are vitally important (why else would I have a whole website dedicated to it! - www.organisemyhouse.co.uk)

I - Income
Whether you work or not, ensuring that the house brings in some income is vital to staying happy - you need enough to get by. If you work for yourself then its a guage to how productive your day has been. It also might not be necessary to think about what you have earnt for the house, but instead concentrate on what you have saved - finding a bargain, swapping skills with a friend, caring for young children instead of a nursery for some part of the week etc... It may also be what you have done in preparation to earning an income, such as education or building a business.

L - Leisure
This can be thought of as LITTLE BIT OF TIME FOR ME as well - Anything you have done to relax or get fit will work well in this section.


E - Eat Well
This is about your 5 a day (minimum!). Because you are actively asking yourself at the end of each day to think about what you have eaten, you are more likely to make better choices during the day - it works!

I try and think about this acronym each night as I go to bed, and I am happy that I have done so much in a day. You could also use a diary to see how far you are getting towards your goals etc...... i.e. if your aim is to lose weight, you may chart your progress in Leisure and Eating Well - or if you want to get more organised you may look at a different area in the house each week to concentrate on.

I hope this changes your perspective on life as much as it has me over the years - let me know how you get on!