If trying to maintain balance in your life makes you feel like a little topsy turvy , you’re not alone. Most of us have so many demands on our time and energy, life can feel like a three-ring circus. There are instruments to clean. Sessions to plan. Songs to learn. Meetings to attend. And that’s just our role as a music therapists. Chances are you also fill many other roles in life – child, partner, parent, volunteer….
Take this quiz to see how well you are meeting responsibilities, while also recognizing and fulfilling personal needs and wants.
True False
T F 1. The only way I can successfully manage my life is to take care of myself physically and emotionally.
T F 2. Nurturing myself enlarges my capacity to help others
T F 3. I eat healthfully and exercise regularly.
T F 4. I get check-ups, go to the dentist, and take preventative precautions.
T F 5. I set aside personal, quiet time for myself, whether I’m meditating or simply letting my thoughts drift.
T F 6. I experience the gifts of each season: ice skating, sledding, bundled-up beach walks; gardening, hiking, more time outside; camping, swimming, barbeques; harvesting the bounty, gathering wood, spending more time inside.
T F 7. Creativity nurtures me, too. I do what I love, whether that’s cooking, drawing, painting, writing, dancing, singing or another creative pursuit.
T F 8. Reaching out to others enriches my life. I spend quality time with family and friends.
T F 9. Contributing to the world provides connection and purpose, so I give my time, energy and experience where it is most useful.
T F 10. I notice and heed the emotional signals that tell me I’m out of balance: irritability, overwhelm, resentment.
T F 11. If I feel that I’m catching a cold, I realize I may have stressed my immune system with overactivity, so I stop and take care of myself.
T F 12. When I need or want to, I say no to requests for my time.
T F 13. I listen to and honor the requests my body makes for such things as a nap, a walk, green vegetables, hot soup.
T F 14. If I have something planned for myself, I don’t just toss that aside when someone makes a request of me.
T F 15. I’m busy, but I find time to do the things I want to do.
T F 16. I’m happy. I regularly experience well-being, contentment, even joy.
T F 17. I take time to feed my own music needs and interests.
How did you do?
If you answered false more often than true, you may want to take a look at the questions to which you answered false and see if you can incorporate something of its message into your life.
Author’s content used with permission, © Claire Communicat
