If you are someone who is constantly trying to bring a work-life balanceand instead of feeling stuck, you should probably try the ‘commuter lifestyle‘. It’s more about recognizing the natural ebbs and flows of life and empowering yourself to thrive amidst the fluctuations.
The “commuting lifestyle” is a term coined by Jeffrey Michael Karpprofessor of biomedical engineering at Harvard Medical School and MIT. In his book “LIT: Life Ignition Tools: Use Nature’s Playbook to Energize Your Brain, Spark Ideas, and Ignite Action,” he suggests a powerful tool, “a swing lifestyle.”
Instead of striving for perfection, which is almost a myth, the swing lifestyle encourages you to embrace the inherent fluidity of life. This means that instead of striving for a perfect balance, we must recognize that experiences, emotions, and interactions are constantly changing. When we begin to listen to our mind, body, and environment, we can adapt and grow naturally, one step at a time.
“It’s about recognizing the natural rhythm of life – the inevitable swing of the pendulum – from one side to the other – the contrasts – the extremes… And when we are in touch with that, it’s about choosing actively take its direction and take it first. “A step to intentionally move there…no need to try to swing too far at once – just enough to feel something,” Jeff Karp said in one of his Instagram posts.
Jeff Karp also emphasizes that fear is not the enemy, but something that helps us in our growth: “Fear often looks like an enemy, but it is not: it is a signal that we guide to something important, something transformative for our growth. Life often swings like a pendulum between fear and possibility, and fear is only one side of that arc. When we encounter it, it is a sign that we are on the verge of something new and unexplored.
Speaking about the fight-or-flight response, he adds: “When that fight-or-flight mindset comes into play, it’s simply your survival brain doing its job, trying to protect you from perceived danger. Instead of pushing it away, acknowledge it with gratitude: thank you for trying to protect me, I have it. By recognizing this dynamic, you find your center and shift to curiosity and courage. It’s in these moments, when the pendulum swings toward discomfort, that we grow the most. Fear is not the stop sign we think it is; it is an invitation to rise, to explore, and to discover the incredible possibilities that await us on the other side.
How to implement this in your life?
- A complete body and mind assessment in the morning: ask yourself these questions. Do you feel physically, emotionally and mentally GOOD? Are there any facets that don’t look 100%?
- Adjust your routine accordingly: Based on this, take simple steps to move the pendulum in a positive direction. It’s not about perfection, it’s about progress.
- Compassion and curiosity: Understand that, like a natural pendulum swing, you may also feel out of balance. To have
self-compassion and having a constructive approach to life, asking what positive changes might help to find balance.116504213 - Understand the swings of the pendulum: recognize what’s working and what’s holding you back. The factors that contributed to the imbalance and the changes that can be made.