The Art of Juggling

Pranita Potghan
3 min readAug 17, 2024

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Imagine juggling three balls in the air, the sensation of rhythm and coordination taking over as you master the art. But what if juggling wasn’t just a circus trick, but a metaphor for balancing life’s challenges?

Yes, that’s true.

In today’s world of constant hustle, multitasking itself can become overwhelming. Yet, we can’t always avoid it, can we? After all, we can’t complain about having too much on our plate when we choose to eat all of it. Sometimes it’s necessary; whereas other times, it’s a lesson in disguise.

Amidst all of this, what’s important is to keep going. Just keep going. Yes, you might not check one task on your list of the day, but maybe that’s okay. After all, who in this world is Mr. Perfect?

At times, it’s bewildering. It feels like you’re on the edge of losing everything. How can a human do all the tasks, perfectly, within a stipulated period? He simply cannot. (don’t worry, neither can I)

A wise sage once said- learn to prioritize things. While keeping the balls in motion is important, it is more important to know which ball to keep our focus on. Yes, again a metaphor. The key is in knowing which balls are made up of rubber and which ones are of glass. If you miss out on the glass ones- health, family, friends; they surely will break. But if you miss out on the rubber balls- work, chores, daily tasks; they surely will bounce back!

We are often burdened by the invisible weight of the fear of dropping out. It might be an important assignment, a meeting, or maybe a deadline. It’s human tendency. Managing everything flawlessly is simply a delusion. Perfectionism, by its nature, is unattainable. No one can keep every ball in the air all the time, and the pursuit of perfection only amplifies the fear of failure. Ultimately, perfectionism lies in imperfectionism!

Do you feel swamped? (cuz I feel too)

Take a break.

Allow yourself to savor that cup of coffee while reading a book you love.

Take a moment to sit, gaze at the sky, and listen to your favorite songs.

Watch that movie you’ve been meaning to see.

Dive into the kitchen and cook a delicious meal you’ll enjoy.

Sketch that drawing you’ve been putting off. (so is mine pending :< )

Go on that trek with friends you planned weeks ago.

Remind yourself that you exist beyond your tasks. Allow yourself to feel human!

Finding the right balance is more important than trying to balance everything equally. This is the essence of mastering the art of juggling.
And if at all everything fails, just remember — juggling is a skill; even professionals drop the ball off, so why not embrace a little clumsiness with a smile?

And let’s face it — sometimes, no matter how hard you try, no matter how well you plan things, you’re going to drop a ball. Maybe it’s that message you swore you replied to, or the workout you promised you’d do three weeks ago. But hey, when those balls hit the ground, don’t just pick them up — give them the right spin, add your flair, and act like it was all part of the act. The audience (aka everyone around you) loves a good reclamation, and who knows, maybe you might convince them that you meant to do that. It works wonders when you focus more on your ability than the result.

Ergo, keep juggling with a smile on your face but when things get too chaotic, remember: even when the clowns drop things, they still receive a round of applause. Similarly, if life feels too intense, there’s always the circus to join- I’ve heard they pay decent XD!

So, lace up those imaginary clown shoes, toss those balls high, and give your best shot at it. Just be ready to dodge when they come crashing down ;)

Which aspect of your life feels like the trickiest to juggle? Share your story!

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Pranita Potghan
Pranita Potghan

Written by Pranita Potghan

An engineering student who likes to write, read and sketch :)

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