T.C.L.C - Everything in Moderation
- Evans & Moose
- 34 minutes ago
- 7 min read
Life often pulls us in many directions. We hear advice to work harder, eat #healthier, #exercise more, and enjoy life to the fullest, whilst making sure we get enough sleep, maintain #relationships etc. Yet, extremes in any area can lead to #stress, #burnout, or dissatisfaction. The key to a fulfilling life lies in balance, as my Great Grandfather used to say 'everything in moderation'. This approach helps us enjoy the good things without tipping into excess or deprivation. This is something we try to bring into all aspects of our life (although easier said than done, everyone is a work in progress and we never profess to be perfect at it... just always striving to be better than the day before, in even the smallest of ways).
Moderation means avoiding extremes and finding a middle ground. It applies to many parts of life: food, work, leisure, relationships, and even emotions. When we practice moderation, we reduce the risk of negative consequences that come from overindulgence or strict restriction. These extremes can unbalance us, unsettle us, and lead to burn out. By spending a few moments to consider whether what your being exposed to, for want of a better phrase, is in moderation can help us lead a more considered lifestyle in general. Sat at a desk for three hours? Maybe it's time for quarter of a hour outside, moving around. Had a takeaway last night? Try and find a local bakery or farmshop where you can buy some less processed food to enjoy for a meal or two.
Realistically, I feel this balance and idea of everything in moderation is the only way we can truly thrive in the modern world. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure if you went completely of grid and shunned modern society then you could eliminate certain aspects but it still remains the fact, that to be integrated in the modern world you have to expose yourself to certain elements that are easy to become overexposed to or overindulge in.
For example, in our work we're careful to keep the mantra everything in moderation. It could be easy working for yourself to become completely ensconced by work 24/7 (the burn out flu I'm currently suffering from tells me maybe I need to improve on this... but it's good to have goals right?!). Social media is a big one, becoming a slave to the algorithm is easily done. We've done it. But, we saw the problems this caused, we were on the verge of being social media managers and nothing else, so we limit it. We've got a strict structure of what we're posting when, we have an hour or so put aside to interact with other accounts and we stick to it. We've (just about) found the balance we needed. Having to do more on social media for business has made me reduce the time I'm on it personally, my personal accounts mainly just share our business posts, there might be the odd post about one of the dogs or the horse but that's it (again, you don't have to do this but it makes such a difference to your head space).
On the #farm, we have a tractor but do a lot of the field work by hand, we have water pipes to the fields but try and use water butts and rain water (there's enough of it on the island) as much as possible. We supply our own veg, fruit and eggs, but might need to nip to a shop if we run out of something we can't possibly live without. It's this idea of offsetting what could easily fall into the overconsumption category that leads to a more considered life on the whole.
We have a traditional #blacksmith #forge where items are hand crafted over fire but we also have a laser cutter... we've found a happy balance that allows us to remain integrated in the modern world without too much of the pressure. If you know me, you'll know I'd love nothing more than to high tail it into the woods, find a cabin or create a shelter and live out my days with the animals around me... but we live in the U.K. Park somewhere too long and you're in trouble so it's possibly not the most realistic solution! We've got a snail mail club but also a podcast... Ying and Yang. You know those companies that plant a tree for everything you buy? We're kind of like that, in so much as everything that removes us from real connection or nature is offset by doing something that takes us back to our roots, perfect. We don't need an excuse to plant trees... our pear, apples, hazel and rowan saplings are doing great, thanks for asking!
Moderation in Work and Productivity
Work is essential, but overworking leads to burnout and reduced productivity. Striking a balance between effort and rest improves focus and creativity.
Tips for Balanced Work Habits
Set clear work hours and stick to them. Easier said than done, and don't beat yourself up if you go over what you've said you'll work, the scales don't rest every 24 hours, you can balance this out moving forward.
Take regular breaks to recharge. This one however, is a non negotiable. Having breaks equals more productivity, it equals a refreshed body and mindset.
Prioritize tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Whilst to do lists can sometimes feel overwhelming, having a rough idea of what needs doing first can help you see where you might be over doing it. Allowing again for that balance to creep in.
Include downtime for hobbies and socializing.
For example, a study by the Draugiem Group found that employees who took regular breaks were more productive than those who worked longer hours without rest. It's crazy that we need studies to substantiate what our ancestors did for years but it's true. I recently read that we now spend over 80% of our time indoors as apposed to the 7% our ancestors spent indoors. Offset the indoors with balanced time outdoors. Your mental and physical health will thank you.
Moderation in Technology Use
Technology offers many benefits but can also distract and isolate. Excessive screen time affects sleep, mental health, and social skills. I went to the dentist the other week and was genuinely shocked that everyone in the waiting room was sat on their phones and I, as the only millennial in the room, wasn't! Ironically, we're loosing the ability to connect with people because we spend too much time connected to our phone. No one smiled at anyone else when they came it to wait, there was no human interaction... it's no wonder so many people describe feelings of loneliness daily.
Managing Technology Moderately
Limit non-essential screen time daily.
Use technology purposefully, not mindlessly. Don't let it become a crutch for moments of dropped stimulation or boredom. Sometimes our brain needs no new input to recalibrate and cope with whatever it's facing next.
Take tech-free breaks, especially before bedtime.
For example, setting a phone curfew an hour before sleep improves rest quality. Have one unplugged evening a month to start with, game night? Art challenge? Cook Off? Then try fortnightly, until maybe it's as frequent as once a week. We need to learn to offset and balance ourselves in a world of over exposure and this is a great habit to get into to help that.
Moderation in Emotional Well-being
Emotions are natural and necessary, but extremes can be harmful. Constant stress or suppressing feelings both affect mental health. We know that, yet it still seems to fall down the list of priorities for a lot of people. Prioritising emotions and mental wellbeing is something I'm only just getting used to as well but when you see and more importantly feel the changes that well balanced emotions bring, it's a wonderful feeling.
Finding Emotional Balance
Practice mindfulness to stay aware of emotions. Yes, this might mean yoga or breathwork or even meditation, but it can also mean outdoor walks, taking time to paint or draw from the heart or even getting a coffee and your local small coffee shop (again, everything is moderation, buying coffee from a coffee shop? Offset this by picking to support a local coffee business).
Express feelings constructively.
Seek support when overwhelmed. There's so much support out there now, yet it feels harder to find than ever. If you've decided you need support, don't feel overwhelmed when searching for it. On the theme of everything in moderation and everything having some sort of purpose, the internet whilst being a dangerous place can also be a fantastic resource. There's sites like 'A Reason to Stay' - A wonderful site where upon opening the website you receive an anonymous letter on screen from someone offering support and comfort. There are walking groups across the country where you might meet like minded people who offer that support or even volunteering somewhere. Support comes in so many different shapes and sizes and is most certainly not always the stereotypical therapist route, this of course has it's place but finding something that integrates in the day to day on a permanent basis can be as beneficial.
Balanced emotional health leads to resilience and better decision-making.
Practical Steps to Embrace Moderation Daily
Set realistic goals: Avoid all-or-nothing thinking. Moderation equals balance and when we think of balance we might think of scales. Scales can change tipping one way or the other, all or nothing thinking doesn't allow for this change.
Listen to your body and mind: Notice signs of fatigue or stress.
Create routines that include variety: Mix work, rest, and play.
Reflect regularly: Adjust habits that feel extreme or unsustainable. Be kind to yourself, take time to consider how you're living.
Celebrate small wins: Recognize progress without pressure.
Living with #moderation builds habits that sustain health, happiness, and relationships. It prevents burnout and regret by encouraging thoughtful choices. Over time, this balance creates a life that feels manageable and rewarding. It allows for a more considered approach to life as a whole.
Finding balance is not about strict rules or perfection. It’s about tuning into what feels right for you and adjusting as life changes. Embracing everything in moderation means enjoying life’s pleasures without losing control or peace of mind.
Realistically, you probably already knew most things in the blog post, but sometimes it takes someone else to point them out or remind you that even in the pace of modern life you can consider how you live life and invite in some moderation. So, hopefully that's what we've done for you.
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