The goal is balance—homeostasis, peace. Imagine a scale with two plates on opposing sides of a fulcrum. If only life were that simple. We could easily shift weight from one side to the other and restore equilibrium.
Instead, life feels more like a spinning top with a wide plane. If you load all your weight onto one or two spots along the outer edge, the top becomes lopsided and unstable. Its rotation no longer stays parallel to its horizontal axis. Gradually, it becomes more and more imbalanced, spinning closer and closer to toppling over.
The solution is to spread the weight evenly across the plane. This brings the top back to equilibrium. I use this analogy to represent the facets of well-being. Our well-being isn’t dichotomous like a weight scale—if only it were that simple. Instead, experts conceptualize well-being as having multiple facets. Depending on who you ask, the number varies, but I typically reference the theory that identifies eight well-being dimensions. A fitting number for this analogy, too.
For info on the eight dimensions of wellness:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5508938
I recently described to my therapist how I felt like an octopus with eight arms, juggling all parts of my life and not doing a particularly good job. I was overweighting my occupational and financial dimensions while neglecting the other six.
Spreading the weight, however, requires constant evaluation. I check in with myself several times throughout the day to assess which dimension needs attention. If I’m tired, I might eat or rest. But through this simple act of checking in, I’m also connecting with myself spiritually. Later, I might review my to-do list and realize I need to pay a bill—addressing the financial dimension. It all depends on the moment.
Keeping each dimension satisfied will look different for everyone. It depends on what you value and how you nurture each facet. For some, the spiritual dimension is religious; for others, it’s found through nature or connection with their environment. Some people may not prioritize this dimension at all. Know what you value and how much attention you need in each area to feel content.
Balance the plane.
-The Caring Counselor
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