When Balance Feels Off and Purpose Feels Distant

Have you ever felt like no matter how many boxes you check off your to-do list, peace still feels just out of reach? You're not alone. Whether you're in the thick of motherhood, navigating career shifts, or holding it all together for your family, the pursuit of "balance" can sometimes feel like a myth. But I want to offer a reframe:

Balance isn’t about perfection. It’s about peace.

I used to believe that balance meant getting everything done, being everything to everyone, and keeping all the plates spinning. But over time, I realized something deeper. Balance has nothing to do with performance. It has everything to do with alignment.

I don’t know about you, but I am constantly trying to clear my to-do list and often find myself feeling underwhelmed, overwhelmed, and frustrated. This cycle doesn’t just show up when I’m chasing goals — it shows up even when I reach them. That moment of "what now?" can be filled with uncertainty and sometimes even sadness.

What I've come to recognize is that feeling is often the result of being out of alignment with what I truly value.

When we plan too much, or our plans become too rigid, we leave no room for presence or joy. We forget to listen to the Holy Spirit gently nudging us to pause, pray, praise, or simply breathe. We lose sight of the spaces where gratitude and contentment are waiting to grow.

That's why identifying your core values is so essential. I believe our values are divinely planted in us, long before we know how to name them. Maybe you've always known that faith, family, or freedom mattered deeply to you. Or maybe you’ve been feeling off-center and unsure of what you really stand for in this season.

Here’s what I know for sure: Your values are guideposts. They help you return to purpose when everything else feels chaotic. They remind you who you are and how you want to show up in the world.

When I was a young girl, I dreamed of being a wife and mother. Later, I saw myself as a helper and a career woman. Faith, family, integrity, and justice have always remained close to my heart. Over time, I also embraced values like freedom and wealth — not just financial, but legacy, options, and peace.

You may find that your values have evolved, too. And that’s okay. The beauty of alignment is that it grows with you.

Here are a few journal prompts to help you reconnect with what matters most:

1. What are three values that have been with you since childhood?

2. Where in your life are you striving for perfection instead of peace?

3. What does it look like to live in alignment with your values this week?

Final thought: Balance isn’t a perfectly planned life. It’s a life that makes space for peace. With Christ, we can realign again and again. Grace is always available. Purpose is always present. And your values? They are still guiding you home.

Want to explore this more? Join me for my free monthly coaching circle, The Art of Balance: Realigning Your Life to What You Value. Together, we’ll unpack these ideas, share tools, and breathe together. https://fb.me/e/4EWuLkN4l

This blog previews recent reflections in shared in Life Unboxed newsletter, debuting April 14th. If you're looking for regular, bite-sized encouragement, inspiration, and faith-rooted tools, I’d love to welcome you there too.

You deserve peace, not pressure. Let’s get back to what matters most.

With love, Dionna