Have you ever felt your life spinning out of control? I have and still do, so I can’t say I’m writing this post to tell you how I’ve solved all of my problems. Rather, I am sharing my resolve to move forward, as well as the framework I intend to use to guide my steps. Much of this comes from what I learned at a writing workshop I attended recently at the Highlights Foundation near Honesdale, PA.

I am re-evaluating my priorities making more room for finding time for personal fellowship with Jesus, more time focused on my family, and more time spent on self-care. Here is my new list of priorities:

1. Personal relationship with Christ through Bible reading and prayer
2. Family – time spent as a homemaker and wife (I’m an empty-nester)
3. Church and Christian outreach ministries
4. Career (I’m retired, but see myself as a writer)
5. Special interests and hobbies – just for fun

You may wonder why I didn’t put “self-care” in the list, considering I preceded my list saying I intended to spend more time on self-care. The thing about self-care is that it is tied into each of the items in the list.

Included in the concept of self-care is the need to set personal boundaries that will enable you to care for yourself as well as to be a more productive person. Let’s take another look at my priority list through the lens of self-care.

1. Personal relationship with Christ through Bible reading and prayer – This is basic to self-care as it enables me to stay in touch with the One who created me, the One who knows me inside and out and knows my needs.
2. Family – time spent as a homemaker and wife – I want to become a better homemaker for my own sake, but I also need to set boundaries so I don’t become a “housekeeper,” a slave to my house. I want to spend more quality time with my husband.
3. Church and Christian outreach ministries – I will seek God’s direction in knowing when to take on responsibilities and when to say no. I must recognize that other’s expectations on me may not be right for me.
4. Career (I’m retired, but see myself as a writer) – I will set aside time for my writing, and set boundaries in place to keep others from depriving me of that time. But I must also not let it take over my life at the expense of everything else. I will become a better writer only when I become a more rounded person.
5. Special interests and hobbies – just for fun – I will allow time for rejuvenation and joy in my life doing things I enjoy. This is at the bottom of my list, but that does not make it optional. I must become proactive to be sure I follow through with this one.

Here are two links that I have been reading on my journey to find balance in my life. Perhaps they will be helpful to some of my readers as well:

• Boundaries for Writers by Kristi Hall
• Several posts on self-care by The National Association for Christian Recovery

I would love to learn how you, my readers, have learned to balance the many things that cry out for your attention, and encourage you to share them in the comments below.