Balance vs Rhythm

Since the beginning of 2025, I have been contemplating the ideas of Balance and Rhythm. Is balance merely a way to signify that everything is fine, just another form of control? Who actually decides what balance means, considering we can't physically measure life on a scale? Is rhythm where we truly concentrate our focus? As Mary Oliver said, "Attention is the beginning of devotion."

Listening Room Toronto, July 2024

As someone who tries to compartmentalise her life as much as possible, this year has been different because I've been working on finding a rhythm that suits my current life situation.

Before we delve deeper, let's define Balance and Rhythm:

According to Merriam-Webster, Balance is the stability created by an even distribution of weight on both sides of the vertical axis. Rhythm is movement, fluctuation, or variation marked by the regular recurrence or natural flow of related elements.

My struggle began with not understanding why it was easier for me to exercise five times a week when I was in Lagos, yet I found it so difficult after moving here. It stemmed from the thought that if I could do it in Lagos of all places, why can't I do it here? Although this struggle began a few months after my move, I felt like I was just making excuses.

In 2025, I had to reassess many aspects of my life. Was my supposed life balance tied to pride, or was I simply afraid to embrace the flexibility needed for the new changes in my life?

When I think of rhythm, I think of music. As a huge music enthusiast, the different melodies, instrumental peaks, runs, and both high and solemn moments are what truly make a song a masterpiece (check out "From My Heart and My Soul" by Terrace Martin & Robert Glasper).

Reaching a point where I'm trying to approach life as a rhythm rather than chasing balance is leading me to a place of relinquishing control and turning life into a beautiful work of art. Letting go of the idea of balance hasn't been easy, and I didn't realise I was embracing rhythm over balance until I was recently asked about my views on work-life balance. My immediate response was that I'm reaching a point where I see life as movement, as different seasons demand different things from me. This doesn't mean my life isn't "balanced"; it simply means I'm focusing on what is necessary to make my life a masterpiece in every season. Even when we observe the four seasons of the year, each is a work of art in its own right.

I've come to see that life is more intricate, prompting me to question why we emphasise balance so much when embracing proper planning and flexibility seems more fitting. As I quoted earlier, "attention is the beginning of devotion", so how can we pursue this vital work if we're fixated on balance rather than rhythm?

By the way, I go to the gym 3x times a week now :)