Balance

I knew it would be challenging to balance two classes, a full-time job, and personal priorities as a graduate student. I wouldn't say it is harder than I thought; it simply forces me to manage my time. Finding time to exercise, see friends, visit my family, and stay on top of school and work has made me ask myself what balance is, exactly. Is it dividing my time equally between all entities in my life? Putting some priorities aside for next month or semester? I am beginning to realize that for me, it means spending enough time on each specific priority to the point where I feel ok about moving on to another one. I expected it to be challenging, but I didn't expect to feel guilty about exercising less, or visiting my family and friends less. I simply can't meet for drinks and dinner a few nights a week, visit my parents in Needham, and attend every zumba class. I always try hard to give enough of my time to all areas of my life, but scaling back is now the reality of my situation. My pregnant, insightful colleague and I were talking yesterday about further education and how it could be viewed as "selfish"(maybe not the right word). She is pursuing a masters as well and will soon have less time for everything she wants to accomplish once her baby arrives. As it is, she has less quality time with her husband as she works full-time and takes classes. After a great conversation, we concluded that further educating ourselves and pursuing individual goals in order to become who we want to be may be selfish, but completely defensible. We both have the right to become more of who we are and who we want to be. We would be doing a disservice to ourselves if we took an easier road. The guilt I have been feeling is slowly fading away.