Finding Balance In The Everyday

 

Today is Wednesday, and sometimes I catch myself wondering if my life has fallen into a predictable routine—work, home, time with my husband, and scrolling through YouTube and TikTok. Most afternoons, as soon as I leave work, I call my husband. We usually visit for 10–12 minutes, catching up before I make the rest of my 30-minute drive home. If I have time, I call my best friend, Cherrie—spelled C-H-E-R-R-I-E—and we talk about anything we might have missed during the week.

Once I’m home, Luther almost always has dinner ready. We eat, talk about our day, and then wind down by watching the news. We tend to go to bed early. With Luther’s health, he doesn’t always feel like sitting in the living room late, and that’s okay—quiet evenings together have become part of our rhythm.

Tomorrow, November 20th, my oldest son, Blake, turns 34 years old! I don’t know how the years passed so quickly. I’m incredibly proud of the man he has become. He’s a wonderful father, a strong partner to Jessica, a dedicated worker, and someone who continues to set goals and meet them. I just can’t say enough good things about him.

But as time keeps moving, I find myself thinking more about my own future—how long I’ll be here, what I want the rest of my life to look like. I’m fortunate that my health is mostly good, aside from high blood pressure and being overweight. I’m working on eating better, getting more physical activity, and staying motivated to do the right things for my body and mind.

My job, as blessed as I am to have it, is extremely stressful. The pay is the best in our area, and the benefits couldn’t be better, but talking on the phone all day can be draining. Not every member who calls in is cheerful—many are dealing with real-life struggles like job loss, homelessness, bankruptcy, or accidents. I try to listen with compassion and help them find solutions, but some days the emotional load weighs heavy.

Would I love a less stressful job? Absolutely. Would it pay the same? Probably not. So for now, I’m sitting still, trusting that the right path will reveal itself in time. I’m seriously considering retiring at 63 if I can afford it. I’ve worked my whole life, and the thought of slowing down sounds peaceful. My biggest concern is that I didn’t prepare as well as I should have for retirement.

I’m looking for small ways to improve that now—putting aside more money, adjusting my 401(k), and finding little “tips and tricks” to grow my savings. I’m planning to increase my 401(k) contributions next year by a point or two and start building more cushion for the future.

These mid-week moments make me pause and reflect on where I’ve been, where I am, and where I’m headed. Life may be predictable at times, but it’s also full of love, responsibility, and the quiet beauty  of everyday life.