"Perfectly balanced, as all things should be" - Thanos
Absolute balance is a myth!
If you have achieved some balance in one or two aspects of your life, then there's a chance that the rest of the facets of your lifestyle surely aren't as "balanced".
This life and its ways, it's all a trading game, especially when it comes to time.
Just about 2 years ago I had all the time in the world. However, back then I had little to no money, but I had time, and whatever I wish to do with that time, was all up to me.
Whether I sit in one place and game for 8 hours straight, all by myself, or engage in a lengthy conversation or debate on a Discord voice chat. I could read almost half a book in one go, head out for a cup of coffee, or just sleep for 10 to 12 hours straight; I had all the "time and freedom" in the world, and quite a few options.
Alas, in consequence, my pockets were empty most of the time; you couldn't even find a toothpick or any lint, even if you tried.
ᴵᵐᵃᵍᵉˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵒᵛᵉʳᵃˡˡ ᶜᵒⁿᵗᵉⁿᵗ ᵃʳᵉ ᵐʸ ᵒʷⁿ ᵘⁿˡᵉˢˢ ᶦᵗ'ˢ ᵐᵉⁿᵗᶦᵒⁿᵉᵈ
In present time though, I am currently working on 4 projects, on and off.
That is why I barely get the time to hangout with my friends and acquaintances, and I mostly have to avoid meetups. If I'm lucky then I might get some time to play videogames, sometimes read a book or two, but primarily, I'm having to trade most of my time for work.
However...
for this little trade, I'm also getting paid.
That is why now my pockets are fairly "full", but my time is "limited", so are my options.
Now, if you ask me to choose between the lifestyle I had 2 years ago and now, then I'd surely choose the present. Yes, it's hard work, I feel really tired at the end of the day, and after a tiring day I could a really use a "little" 12 hour nap haha. But, right now I can only afford 6 to 7 hours of shut eye, and sometimes not even that.
Yet, life goes on, if I don't get the job done then someone else surely will.
In order for me to keep the money coming and to maintain my goals, I also have to cut out a few things; less outings, very few hangouts, and tiny gaming sessions. I'm having to distance myself from many dear friends who I miss spending time with, there's not much time to do the things "I love doing", that once a week visit to the café is slowly becoming non-existent too.
Most of the things I love are now only a part of my memory, and memory lane is now my only path and agent of travel.
Now, in the midst of creating something for the future, I'm losing something in the present.
Yet, it's a trade that I'll quite happily take.
"For everything you gain, you lose something." - Ralph Waldo Emerson