I want to feel balanced

There are days when life feels like a juggling act — work, family, relationships, responsibilities — and before I know it, I feel pulled in too many directions. When that happens, what I long for most is balance. Not perfection, not control, just that grounded, steady feeling where I can breathe deeply and return to myself.

Essential oils have been my most reliable companions on this journey. When I want to feel balanced, I turn to:

  • Cedarwood – Its warm, woody scent always reminds me of strong roots anchoring me deep into the earth. It helps me slow down and breathe more fully.
  • Sandalwood – Gentle, sacred, and deeply calming, sandalwood helps me quiet the mental chatter so I can listen inward.
  • Vetiver – This is my “instant grounding” oil. Just one drop rubbed into my palms and inhaled helps me feel like my feet are firmly planted again.
  • Frankincense – For me, frankincense is a bridge between body and spirit. It brings a sense of peace and a higher perspective when life feels scattered.
  • Arborvitae – Often called the “tree of life,” arborvitae’s earthy aroma makes me feel protected and supported, like nature itself is wrapping me in a hug.
  • Lavender – Gentle and soothing, lavender reminds me to soften, let go, and trust. It’s wonderful for calming both the heart and the mind.
  • Marjoram – This oil carries such warmth and comfort. To me, it feels like reconnecting with myself and restoring harmony in relationships.

How I Use Them
Every morning, my day starts out with applying the Balance Blend to the sole of my foot and spending 5 minutes block breathing (4 counts breathing in, hold for 4, breathe out for 4) before even getting out of bed. Click here for a more in depth look at my morning routine. But sometimes throughout the day I’ll simply choose one oil that I feel drawn to in the moment, or I’ll blend a few together or reuse my Balance blend. One of my favorite combinations is cedarwood, lavender, and frankincense in the diffuser —  it feels like coming home to myself. On extra hectic days, I’ll rub a drop of vetiver mixed with a carrier oil onto the bottoms of my feet for grounding before bed (click here for some great evening winding down routines).

But essential oils are just one part of the picture. Feeling balanced is something I nurture from different angles.

Beyond Essential Oils

Sound: Sound is one of the quickest ways I can return to balance because it interacts directly with my nervous system. Listening to soft, steady drumming helps me reconnect with my body and sense of rhythm, while a grounding singing bowl frequency—especially lower tones—brings me into the present moment. These vibrations seem to wash away scattered thoughts and remind me to root myself again.

Crystals: I often hold or meditate with smoky quartz or hematite when I feel off-balance. Smoky quartz helps me release what no longer serves me—whether that’s stress, tension, or unwanted thoughts—while hematite has a strong grounding quality, almost like an anchor that brings me back to stability. Simply carrying one in my pocket or placing it near me while I work can be a quiet yet powerful reminder to stay centered.

Movement: Movement connects my physical body back to my inner sense of balance. A simple practice I love is standing tall with my feet hip-width apart, closing my eyes, and gently swaying from side to side. After a few breaths, my body naturally finds its center. This is such a beautiful reminder that balance isn’t about being perfectly still—it’s about the small adjustments we make moment to moment to come back into alignment.

Breathwork: One of my favorite tools for balance is box breathing. I inhale for a count of 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, and hold for 4 again. This structured rhythm slows my mind, calms my body, and gives me a sense of spaciousness. It’s almost like pressing the “reset” button when life feels hectic or overwhelming.

A Short Daily “Balance Reset” Ritual

When I feel scattered or out of alignment, I return to this simple 10–15 minute practice:

  1. Essential Oils – I apply a drop of the Balance Blend or simply Cypress and Lavender to my wrists and take a few slow breaths. Cypress helps me feel rooted and steady, while Lavender relaxes my nervous system so I can come back into balance more easily.

  2. Crystal Anchor – Holding a piece of Hematite in my hand, I close my eyes and visualize roots growing from my feet deep into the earth. I imagine the stone’s grounding energy flowing through me, creating steadiness.

  3. Sound & Sway – I play a grounding track (like soft drumming or a low singing bowl tone). Standing tall, I close my eyes and gently sway side to side until I find my natural center.

  4. Breathwork – To finish, I practice 4–5 rounds of box breathing. Inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4. With each round, I feel my energy slowing, balancing, and settling into a calm rhythm.

This little ritual helps me remember that balance is not something I have to “achieve” once and for all—it’s something I return to, again and again, through simple daily practices.

Getting Started

What matters most is finding something that speaks to you. Balance looks and feels different for everyone. The key is to choose practices you genuinely enjoy, and then make them a regular part of your life. Repetition is how our mind and body learn new patterns — and that’s what creates lasting change.

🌸 I encourage you to explore these oils, sounds, movements, or crystals, and notice which combination brings you the deepest sense of balance. Make it yours. Make it something you love. And make it a daily ritual — because balance isn’t a one-time achievement, it’s a way of living.

If you are new to using essential oils, or if you already have oils but aren’t feeling the effects or are unsure of their quality, it’s important to know that quality truly makes all the difference in what we can experience. I choose doTERRA because their oils are pure, potent, and made with care. Every drop is thoughtfully sourced, ensuring not only the highest quality for me but also supporting the farmers and communities who grow and harvest these plants. It means a lot to me to use products from a company that values sustainability, ethical practices, and the well-being of everyone involved—from the person harvesting the plants to the person enjoying them at home. Knowing that both ends of the bottle are cared for makes using these oils feel truly meaningful and aligned with my intention to support my health naturally. Simply click on the name of any oil in this blog post and it will take you to where you can get it. Have questions or need personalized support, please reach out.

Disclaimer: The information shared here is based on my personal experience. It is not intended as medical advice. If you are under a treatment plan or have medical concerns, always consult with your healthcare professional before introducing new practices or essential oils.

Scarlet Strapko NAHA Certified Professional Aromatherapist

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