Am I well or what?? (unit 3)

--> It happens very often to me, daily in fact, that I am contemplating my personal wellness. I am usually aware of my physical and even mental state and try to pay close attention to my nutrition or other aspects of my life. However, I often get the feeling that my "balanced" approach of personal wellness, yet in its relative infancy, is like trying to handle a marionette puppet, loads of strings to make the thing move beautifully in unison, yet I am not a very skilled operator yet. What I mean by that is that I never feel as if all my strings are pulled appropriately and timely and I am not yet functioning in total harmony, even though I am trying. Just to give an example: I will pay close attention to my nutrition, but I am just not getting enough sleep or rest. Other days again I exercise and sleep, but I am not eating good, or enough, or timely. Then there are days on which I eat fine, but have no time to myself and stress is getting out of hand. The "golden" spot has eluded me yet, this time when all my proverbial ducks are neatly in a row and I eat well, rest enough, get my exercise, meditate and participate in meaningful social interaction. Is it wishful thinking to achieve that perfect harmony?

Here is what I know: I. AM. CONSCIOUSLY. AND. CONSTANTLY. WORKING. ON. IT.

I consider this a great thing, in fact, as sign of personal progress. Isn't awareness truly the first real step toward change? Every day I learn more about life, wellness, health and myself. Change is implemented slowly, for example I completely changed my own and my family’s nutritional habits over the past two years and constantly improves in small steps; this process was not an overnight occurrence. Furthermore, I know I need more rest and more time for myself and therefore I try to remind myself to go earlier to bed, to avoid the things I know stress me out and try to make time for meditation. It's the consistence I feel I am lacking and I try to cut myself some slack about that. I understand that wellness is a process and should not be stressful. I try to practice being kind to myself and not to beat myself up over the things I cannot change, this mindset has brought me more inner peace than any visualization could, because it starts in the inside.
I would grade myself as a 7 in terms of physical well-being (I am healthy, rarely get sick and feel fit as a fiddle, yet I wish I was more buff and regularly active as I used to be), a 9 when it comes to spiritual and psychological well-being (as I am truly happy and content to be at this particular place in my life with my family, my children, my school and all the opportunities I have to further explore freely). No 10's here, because there is always room for improvement. My short-term goals are to make it to the gym three times per week, to start attending one yoga class per week and to take one nice, long walk per week in the fresh air with my children. I think it will just take planning and organization to make sure I don't over-schedule myself and sacrifice my time in order to play catch-up with life. Or, get stuck in a book and reading my time away while neglecting the priorities. Have I mentioned that I am easily sidetracked?

I'd love to hear from you, what are your obstacles on the road to personal wellness?

Dunja :)
 

                       (These are my beautiful flowers, from my sweet husband this Valentine's Day)