Buckle Down or Sound Off?
“The supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play.”
One of the hardest balances to get right is the one between self-control/discipline and self-expression/creation. Both are powerful and necessary components of a happy, healthy life, but the balance for each person, as well as each moment, will be unique. Finding it requires constant observation, sensitivity, and adjustment as well as trial and error. Much can go wrong here, but harness both forces to your advantage, and everything you want will be within easier reach.
Self-control, the masculine energy-aligned side of this dichotomy, requires us to rein in impulse, breathe, and think twice before taking action. It also requires experiencing self-imposed discomfort in order to create long-term results, even when paying into a goal is the last thing we would prefer to do.
True self-expression, discipline’s opposite, requires the clarity of knowing who we are and what we have to give, and the courage to bring our unique message out into the world through word and action.
A successful, joyful life requires both the ability to build and apply our skills patiently over time, excluding distractions, AND the ability to exemplify our truth without distortion. Yet, how do we know when it’s time to express and create versus when it’s time to be patient, practice, and wait? This is something only you can answer, based on your goals and abilities, frustrating as that may seem. There are guidelines you can follow to assist you in making these decisions, though. Here are some considerations that may help you along the way as you constantly surf this balance:
Have you been procrastinating on something you know needs doing for you to reach your goals? It’s probably time for some discipline. Mark some time out on your calendar at your most productive time of day, get buy-in from anyone whose support you need, and then look for little ways to make your task fun. You don’t have to be all serious about your productive time. Can you play some fun music, take dance breaks, or plan a little celebration when your task is done?
Are you finding yourself bored and demoralized? It’s probably time for some self-expression. Ask yourself what you’d do if you had no time or money limitations, and see what does appeal to you. Maybe that’s just a day off for mental health, a leisurely meetup with friends, or maybe some time for a creative hobby, time outdoors, or a physical activity you enjoy that will get your blood and endorphins pumping. Whatever says “playtime” to you is where you’re headed
If your goals involve making something out of a fun or creative pursuit, you’ll need to make space for your work, and add the discipline to keep doing so, aa well as using that space and time well
If your effort will involve the discipline of long bouts of concentration, you’ll be better able to sustain them over time if you add in moments of self-expression time, like writing in a journal or talking to friends about your successes and challenges, even if these moments are not strictly necessary to your project
These are just a few quick thoughts about diagnosing what’s needed at any given moment, but once you start thinking about this balance, it will be easier to notice when it’s off kilter. As humans, we’re both social and growth oriented. If you ignore either dynamic, you’ll start to feel out of balance, frustrated, or listless. Hopefully this has given you a few ideas about how to break out of any ruts you’ve been finding yourself in so you can analyze your needs and move forward with more clarity and enthusiasm.