What Does Sanity Mean to You?

According to Merriam-Webster, the simple definition of Sanity is:

: the condition of having a healthy mind

: the condition of being based on reason or good judgment

Since our mission is Sanity, our first step on the journey is to define what it means to us. Everyone will have a slightly different definition based on their own needs and experiences. For example, what makes one person feel calm might make another person feel anxious.

Here is what Sanity looks like to me:

Calm and peaceful

Calmness and quiet moments are nourishing for me. My favorite activities are often solo, with minimal distractions. I love to find a quiet corner to read or write. I look forward to driving alone in the car, with the radio off, to have uninterrupted time to think. With the chaos of having young kids and a busy household, it is critical for me to have alone time, quiet time, and down time. It is this time that allows me to recharge and better navigate the more stressful demands of parenting and life.

Smooth and systematic

Functional plans and systems keep me sane. Doesn’t it feel great when things go according to plan? Those are the days when I feel like the stars just line up. When the kids take a nap at the same time and I am able to get work done without anyone hanging on me or interrupting me every 3 minutes. Regular and recurring tasks must be automated wherever possible to ease the workload.

Close and connected

Strong relationships are incredibly important to me. My husband is my best friend, and I don’t feel right when we are at odds. I am working on developing friendships with people who also have young kids because I need that camaraderie. I also keep up with my own family regularly, they provide an additional layer of emotional support.

Balanced

This one is a hard one. Finding and maintaining the right balance. Many of our obligations cannot be changed, so it is hard to make time for everything that needs to be done. I must balance between my family’s needs and my own. I must balance between work for others and time spent on my own creative ventures. I must balance work and play.

Having high level goals helps prioritize time allocated to each area of my life.

Grounded

I feel my best when I am present. I often have to remind myself where my feet are, to feel the ground beneath them. Putting my life and my responsibilities into a greater perspective keeps my thoughts sensible and rational.

It will be important to define what Sanity looks like for you as we go through the process of building a Sanity Plan. Take time to reflect on when you feel your best. Consider the times in your life when your mind is most clear. Describe the activities that make you feel the most refreshed, recharged, and ready to fight your daily battles.

This visualization will become the guiding compass for the goals we set in our Sanity Plan.

Remember, Sanity is defined as a condition, a state of being. Not a few fleeting moments here and there.

Join this series to learn how to build your Sanity Plan: