How I Found Balance in City Life: A Personal Journey to Holistic Wellness
Ever feel like city life is draining you, but you can’t quite figure out why? Do you ever wonder if there’s a way to maintain your balance and well-being amid the fast pace, the noise, and the demands of urban living? It’s easy to get swept up in the daily grind—balancing work, social life, and your personal well-being—but is it really sustainable? Life got a lot easier in the city when I learned the importance of slowing down. Here’s how I found balance naturally, and maybe, this will inspire you to seek your own path to peace amidst the chaos.
The City Drain and the Search for Something More
I’ve lived in various settings: the peaceful countryside, bustling cities, serene islands, and secondary cities. But it wasn’t until I lived in Paris for close to 10 years that I fully realized the impact that city life had on me. Feeling drained from the daily commute to my corporate job, disconnected from my intuition and, in turn, my body, overwhelmed by the constant emotions of others, and the pressure to fit into an outdated mold—city living was taking its toll on my mind,body and soul.
That discomfort sparked a realization: something had to change. I made the decision to disconnect from the Parisian lifestyle and start searching for a place that felt more aligned with my true self. California came up, as did a return to Canada, but ultimately, I found myself in the South of France, Nice to be precise.
With few connections in my new city, I found peace in simple things. Walking along the Mediterranean, discovering new flowers that seemed to be forever in bloom, and losing myself in nearby parks and trails gave me a sense of reconnection to nature. It was in these moments that I found balance—a quiet reconnection to myself and a reminder that nature has a way of restoring us, no matter how busy life gets.
Less is More: Rediscovering Myself as a Recovering People Pleaser
I also discovered something about myself: I’m a recovering people pleaser. It took time to realize how often I put others' needs before my own, reducing myself to avoid confrontation or discomfort. That awareness helped me recognize that I needed more quality in my life, not more things or commitments.
The famous architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe once said, "Less is more," and that became my mantra. I started taking stock of where my energy was going—especially in areas that didn’t serve me. As I redirected that energy toward myself, some relationships faded, but those that remained became more meaningful. This clarity spilled over into all aspects of my life, including my environment. I decluttered unnecessary possessions and found that simplifying my physical space also created more room for inner balance.
Through this process, I learned that finding natural balance, even in a city, is about quality over quantity. It’s about being intentional with your energy and creating space for what truly matters.
Bringing the Outdoors In: My Growing Love for Plants
I never considered myself much of a plant person until my grandmother gifted me a few easy-to-care-for plants. She knew what she was doing. These small plants introduced me to the joy of nurturing life, which in turn nurtured me. Over time, I added more plants, learning the responsibilities and pleasures that come with taking care of my “newfound green friends.”
Soon, my home became a small urban jungle—a space where nature thrived despite being surrounded by city life. I even started finding and adopting plants left on the streets of Paris, nurturing them back to health. These plants brought a sense of tranquility and rootedness to my life in the city, acting as daily reminders that nature can exist even in the busiest of environments. They helped me maintain the balance I was so desperately searching for.
Finding Balance is Possible, Even in the City
Through simplifying my life, reconnecting with nature, and learning to prioritize my own well-being, I’ve found that natural balance is possible—even in a big city. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, drained, or disconnected, remember that the smallest changes can make the biggest impact. Start with small steps: take a walk, declutter a space, or bring a plant into your home.
And if you’ve been juggling it all, struggling to find time or space for yourself, my advice is this: slow down, reconnect with the nature that surrounds you, and prioritize yourself in a way that feels natural. Balance doesn’t have to be an unattainable goal—it’s about simple, intentional shifts in your daily life.
What’s one small step you can take today to bring more balance into your life?
