Definition: Regulate stability and reduce stress loads
Ballast is not something routinely spoken about in sailing terms. Sailors talk about performance and comfort. Those new sails provide us with the drive to go faster. A rolling furler would make the sail-take down easier. The depth of the cushions for sleeping. A simple water system. The list goes on and on. Who talks about ballast? The mere definition says it all: [something] that regulates stability and reduces stress load.
This Squall Girl, in the past few years, has come to appreciate this underrated term – going through life’s journey is what keeps us on an even keel. My family and my friends are my ballast; this week, I was overwhelmed with a plethora of things, and tonight, I had a spectacular dinner with my sister. The simple act of sharing a meal and some laughs was an emotional reset for me. For you, it could be your profession, passions, or dreams. It doesn’t matter what reduces your stress load – but it is just vital that you have the reassurance that it’s doing the job of keeping you on track. What is the ballast in your life?
Amy Leger
Family and friends are so important both in good times and bad! You say it so clearly!