“Balance is not something you find; it’s something you create.”
– Jana Kingsford, Australian business coach and author
Life — and all the responsibilities that come with it — pulls us in many directions every day. Even when we are doing work we love, the pace can feel relentless, and caring for ourselves can drop to the bottom of the to-do list. But now more than ever, we must prioritize our well-being and create the kind of balance that allows us to thrive.
Balance may seem to come naturally to some, but it has never been a given for me. Throughout my life, I have had to work at it deliberately and consistently as a surgeon-scientist, educator, mother, wife, mentor and leader. When my children were young, I often hopped from early mornings in the operating room to late nights in the lab, while helping with homework and violin practice after dinner, and cheering at gymnastics meets and hockey games on the weekends.
I will not sugarcoat it: Finding balance was hard, and it still is. Over time, though, I have learned that it is not about doing everything at once or doing it all perfectly. It is about focusing on what matters most in the moment and giving that my best effort. Balance is not a destination; it is a practice.
For me, that practice involves spending time outdoors, sharing meals with loved ones, and carving out space for movement and reflection. These moments ground me and help me show up more fully for others.
This month, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of our Center for Integrative Health, a true leader in whole-person care. For two decades, the center has advanced an approach to wellness that includes the mind, body and spirit, and emphasizes the importance of balance among them.
Maryanna Klatt, PhD, has led this work with vision and heart. Through her research and mindfulness-based programs, she has shown that balance is not a luxury; it is a sustainable way to live healthier, more connected lives. Her work reminds us that being well means making space for what truly matters: our relationships, passions and growth.
Balance looks different for everyone. But it begins the same way — by giving ourselves permission to pause, prioritize and protect time for what restores us, including, yes, taking those vacation days!
As we honor the center’s milestone anniversary, I encourage you to reflect on what balance means to you. A balanced life is not something we stumble upon. It is something we build, one mindful step at a time.
Dean, College of Medicine
Leslie H. and Abigail S. Wexner Dean’s Chair in Medicine
Vice President for Health Sciences, Wexner Medical Center