hen Kärin Wollan gave up teaching elementary school to care for her two sons, she didn’t realize that the two of them could be just as demanding as a full classroom. Garit, 4, is energetic and opinionated. Wesley, 8 months, actively explores their Winona, Minn., home. Most days, Kärin, 29, feels successful if she changes out of her “uniform” — sweatpants and a T-shirt.

“My personal time comes and goes, and right now it’s gone,” she quips. “I find myself feeling the most balanced when I take time for myself and make it a priority.”

Balancing the elements of your life is primarily about finding the right mix of time to spend on yourself, family and friends, and work without becoming distressed. When you’re balanced, you don’t regularly sacrifice one of those elements for another. A little stress is not only inevitable, of course, it’s OK; but the flow of your life shouldn’t weigh you down or make you feel overwhelmed.

Describing herself as a “high-strung person,” Kärin admits she sometimes sweats the small stuff. Still, she knows it’s normal to get frazzled when Garit misbehaves or a new tooth keeps Wesley up all night.

Throughout her day, Kärin finds strength in faith. Prayer and meditative moments have proven tremendous de-stressors.

She prays several times a day. Often it’s impromptu and unconventional. However, she doesn’t knock those who prefer to kneel and take the traditional route.

“I find myself talking to God,” she says, “When I need a little extra support while I’m preparing the famous lunch of chicken nuggets and a circle of ketchup on the train plate, I just ask God to either help me move faster or slower, whatever will work.” 

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