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I’ve been thinking a lot about balance these days and what it even means. Balance your meals. Balance your schedule. Balance your life. It seems like an impossible task, but also one we all really crave. Wouldn’t it be amazing if “finding balance” was less like keeping a dozen balls in the air and more like a calm day on the lake? The truth is, real balance isn’t about juggling everything perfectly; it’s about getting in a groove that works for you. 

Look At Finding Balance Differently

When you’re working hard to eat right, exercise, take care of your family, and follow your dreams, it can feel like a lot. So, rather than try and devote equal time to everything, I want you to stop thinking about “finding balance” and instead think about living more intentionally. There is less pressure to be perfect and more alignment with what matters to you. 

Start by asking yourself “What’s one area of my life that feels a little off right now?” Maybe…

• Your meals feel rushed.
• Your workouts fe...

This is the time of year where winter and holiday plans and traditions seem to take over. Do you bake gingerbread men or get that workout in? It’s easy to push off the things that are important to you for holiday shopping, cooking, visiting, or decorating. I love a good family tradition myself, but it’s also important to me to keep my goals front of mind, too. If you feel the same way, here are tips to find your balance this season. 

Make Your Own Traditions

Just because “everyone else” is doing something, it doesn’t mean you need to! It can be hard to remember that when your social media feed is filled with other families’ traditions. For example, I know a lot of people choose to get their Christmas tree the week after Thanksgiving. For us, that just doesn’t work. We usually like to have our tree up through Three Kings Day (January 6th), which fits with my husband’s Dutch upbringing. We don’t do anything special that day, but we like to have the tree around after the busyness of the...

The holiday season is a whirlwind of activity: parties, family gatherings, and countless opportunities to socialize. For extroverts, it’s often the most wonderful time of the year—energizing, exciting, and full of connection. But for introverts, all those invitations can feel a bit overwhelming. As someone who proudly identifies as an introvert, I get it. The holidays can be tricky to manage, but with some planning and self-awareness, they can also be genuinely enjoyable.  

Introvert vs. Extrovert: What’s the Difference?  

First, let’s debunk a common myth: being an introvert doesn’t mean being shy or antisocial. Introversion is about how you recharge. Introverts draw energy from solitude and quiet reflection, while extroverts feel most alive when surrounded by people. It’s a spectrum, of course, and most of us fall somewhere in the middle. You can be an outgoing introvert or a reflective extrovert—it’s all about where you feel most at home.  

While extroverts often thrive on the bu...

The election here in the United States is finally over, and it’s been distracting and exhausting. Politics isn’t something I normally talk about, but I’m deeply disappointed in the outcome. Lifting women up and helping them to be the best they can be in their health, relationships, and lives is important to me, and I won’t let anything change that. It’s been hard to ignore, though, so I’ve been trying to focus on what makes me feel good: food and family! 

Focus on Gratitude

I’m leaning heavily into gratitude these days, noticing how lucky I really am. I’m grateful for  my family and friends, for the beautiful place I live, and for the food I’m privileged to cook and put on the table for my family. From looking through my gratitude journal over the past few years, eating together as a family has always been important to me, and now that my son is nearing graduation, I want to savor this time we have together. 

I’m also thrilled that my son is feeling better with each passing day. He’...

Have you ever had a day where you started off strong, but later found yourself abandoning your workout plans and flopping on the couch with a bowl of ice cream? Decision fatigue might be the culprit behind this temporary loss of willpower. Once you understand why it’s happening, you can get ahead of decision fatigue and see your goals through to success - even when Friends reruns are calling your name.  

Understanding Decision Fatigue

Research shows that the more decisions we make throughout the day, the more our capacity for willpower and self-control diminishes. This means that after a long day at work, an eventful outing, or during moments of heightened stress, making choices becomes particularly challenging. Whether it's choosing between going for a walk or indulging in a Friends marathon, we often opt for the path of least resistance. While decision fatigue can hinder our ability to maintain healthy habits and stay on track, acknowledging its existence empowers us to prepare and...

Listen Instead on The Extraordinary Life Podcast

The other day, my yoga teacher Kofi said “The Yogi is someone who takes responsibility for the thoughts that go through their mind.” I love the simplicity and deep meaning behind this quote, and it fits perfectly with my recent podcasts on managing your thoughts. This week, I want to talk about managing your thoughts when things aren’t going your way. 

Balance is a Myth

I find that many of my clients come to me feeling overwhelmed about having to do it all, while also wanting more out of their life. It feels like they can’t keep up in life as it is, so going after their bigger dreams seems impossible. My coaching approach is an active process, and I know (and want you to accept) that your circumstances and the balance between the different parts of your life will always be shifting. 

What this means is that I encourage you and show you how to take action in your life, so you can learn as you go. Sometimes, you’ll spend more time and ...

Listen instead on The Extraordinary Life Podcast

Inside each of us is a special mixture of gifts and interests, and all of our extraordinary lives look so different! The one thing that people who are working towards their dreams and goals have in common however, is that they make the decision to go for it. In each of my interviews with people living their brand of an extraordinary life, I want to showcase not only the many versions of “extraordinary”, but also to show you that yes, you can have a life you love, too.

For Episode #31 of my podcast, I interviewed Sue Butzow, a posture therapist. We met several years ago in a networking group, and she’s been a member of my Extraordinary Life Tribe for the past year. I’ve also been a client of hers for about fifteen months.  Keep reading for the biggest takeaways from our interview, or listen to the entire podcast here. 

Meet Sue

CO: Sue, tell my listeners a little bit about yourself. 

SB: I'm a posture therapist, but I'm also a mo...