You know that feeling of walking with one heel on and the other shoe off? That hobbling, off-balance, disorienting sensation where every step feels awkward and uncertain? Sometimes life feels exactly like that—and lately, that’s been my reality with both my schedule and my intentions for mindful eating.
An Unusual Season of Life
This summer has been uniquely challenging for three distinct reasons. First, retirement has shifted my entire perspective on time. This isn’t just “summer break” anymore—it’s my new normal, and I’m still figuring out what that’s supposed to look like. The expectations I have for myself don’t quite match my reality yet.
Second, I’m wrestling with an unprecedented lack of control over my schedule. Since Mom no longer drives, I’ve become one of her primary chauffeurs. While I treasure this time with her and I’m genuinely happy to help, her appointments dictate when I’m “on duty.” The unpredictable timing means my weekly rhythm varies tremendously.
Finally, entrepreneurship has been a wild ride. While Darrell and I began considering my retirement options last fall, this program didn’t truly come to life until March. For the past four months, I’ve been racing to complete content, marketing materials, events, and everything else required to launch successfully. The to-do list feels endless, with urgent tasks competing against long-term strategic work.
All of this combines into what I can only describe as a messy place. I feel lopsided and off-kilter, like I’m hobbling toward a finish line that keeps moving further away.
The Challenge of Interrupted Flow
I work best in the early morning when I can find my groove and knock out significant progress. Lately, that flow has been constantly interrupted, postponed, or cancelled entirely. Between my retail work schedule and my adult son who loves to pop in for impromptu chats, I often feel like I’m wasting time instead of accomplishing what I should.
I know that’s not reality, but the sensation of hobbling on one shoe feels very real.
From Struggle to Soaring
Are you also walking with a limp right now? Are you struggling to find balance between competing priorities? Are you internally churning against expectations and that persistent little voice in your head? Are you battling a never-ending list while feeling like you have no control? Does it feel like reality is constantly bashing against your hopes and dreams?
If you also feel like you have one shoe on these days, here’s what I’m learning: let’s kick off the second shoe instead of trying to find the missing one.
Let’s embrace the messy and unpredictable. Then we can run and walk and skip and jump and find our rhythm. Let’s dance.
The Art of Dancing Through Life
The best dancers understand that you don’t just repeat the same moves over and over. Whether choreographed or freestyle, dance involves varying movements and using your body to express both the music and the story being told.
The variety is what makes dance so attractive and inspiring—and the same principle applies to living a healthy lifestyle.
I’m reframing my current life as a dance. There are foundational elements that will always be present, but the beautiful lifts and twirls and spins and jumps—those vary based on the moment, the music, and the story unfolding.
Choosing to Dance
Today, I’m choosing to dance. Instead of viewing my tasks as burdens, I’m seeing them as different moves in my life’s choreography. If I can view the blend of all these pieces as part of one whole dance, the internal conflict lessens significantly.
Instead of frustration when my flow gets interrupted, I’m choosing to embrace these moments as opportunities for creative spontaneity. Instead of concern about productivity, I’m reframing unexpected events as creative bursts that prevent boredom. Instead of worry about lack of focus and predictability, I’m embracing the freedom to be responsive to what life brings.
Dancing Toward Health: Mindful Eating and Responsive Flexibility
This dance metaphor applies beautifully to our journey toward healthier lifestyle choices. We can choose to be proactive yet practical. We can focus on our long-range vision instead of getting lost in the minutia of each moment.
When it comes to mindful eating, this means checking our healthy choices over the whole week or month rather than trying to find exact balance at every single meal.
Mindfulness is about being present and responding to what’s happening in the healthiest way possible. When I choose to eat mindfully, I’m balancing the demands of the moment against my long-term goals and overall health. If I’m dancing through my choices, I can find a rhythm, be responsive, choose flexibility, and give myself permission to go with the flow sometimes.
This doesn’t mean abandoning our goals or giving up on healthy habits. Instead, it means approaching our wellness journey with the same grace and adaptability that makes dance so beautiful to watch.
Embracing the Dance of Mindful Living
Part of choosing a healthier lifestyle involves learning to embrace the acceptance of choice. Some days our “dance” will be a structured waltz with clear, predictable steps. Other days it might be an improvisational jazz number where we respond to whatever music life is playing.
Both approaches can be beautiful. Both can support our health goals. The key is staying present, listening to our bodies, and making choices that honor both our immediate needs and our long-term vision for wellness.
Put On Your Dancing Shoes
Today I’m literally going to blast some music and move my body, reminding myself that dance should be fun and beautiful—just like life. I’m choosing to see the interruptions as opportunities for creative choreography rather than obstacles to my success.
Whether you’re dealing with schedule changes, family responsibilities, career transitions, or simply the daily challenge of making healthy choices in an unpredictable world, remember that you have the power to choose your response.
Put on a twirly skirt and join me! Let’s dance through our days with grace, flexibility, and the confidence that comes from knowing we can adapt to whatever music life decides to play.
What does “dancing through life” look like for you? How can you embrace more flexibility and grace in your own wellness journey? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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