How to Use the Life Balance Wheel:

The Ultimate Self-Assessment Tool for a More Fulfilling Life after Divorce 

"Balance is not something you find, it's something you create."
— Jana Kingsford

Let’s Get Real: Are You Actually Living a Balanced Life?

After a divorce, life doesn't just change - it shifts beneath your feet. The structure you once leaned on disappears, and you're left trying to rebuild, often while carrying the weight of emotional exhaustion, financial worry and a complete redefinition of who you are.

You might think you’re doing fine—work's okay, bills are paid, no one's died this week. But let me ask you something:

• Are you energised when you wake up?

• Do you feel fulfilled when your head hits the pillow?

• Are you actually living—or just surviving?

If you hesitated for even a second, stick with me. Because I’m about to introduce you to a deceptively simple tool that can shake you awake and get your life back in alignment: the Life Balance Wheel.

This isn’t fluff. This isn’t some woo-woo dream board. This is a reality check wrapped up in a circle—and it might just change everything.

What Is the Life Balance Wheel (and Why Should You Care)?

The Life Balance Wheel is a practical, powerful, and visual self-assessment tool that shows you how you're doing in all the important areas of your life. It’s like holding a mirror up to your soul, then drawing it on paper.

Picture a pizza. (Because, yes, all good things in life start with pizza.) Slice that circle into different life categories:

1.     Health & Fitness

2.     Love & Romance

3.     Family Relationships

4.     Friendships & Social Life

5.     Career or Business

6.     Money & Finances

7.     Investments & Wealth Building

8.     Personal Growth & Learning

9.     Spirituality or Faith

10.  Fun & Recreation

11.  Home Environment

12.  Community & Contribution

13.  Emotional Wellbeing

14.  Self-Love & Confidence

15.  Creativity & Hobbies

Each slice is a piece of your life. Now, rate how satisfied you are with each one. Draw it out. Connect the dots. Boom—you've got your personal life map.

If it looks like a warped, bumpy, lopsided mess? That’s your life. And no wonder it feels like a struggle.

The goal? Get that wheel rolling smoothly.

Why the Life Balance Wheel Kicks Other Tools to the Curb

Let’s be honest—most self-help tools are either too vague, too complex, or too fluffy. They give you motivational quotes, but no action. Or they offer checklists that don’t dig deep. The Life Balance Wheel? It cuts through the noise and gets real, real fast.

Here’s why it leaves all the other tools in the dust:

·       It’s Visual — The moment you plot your wheel, you SEE what’s off. No overthinking. No journaling until your wrist cramps. Just clarity in 10 minutes flat.

·       It’s Holistic — This isn’t just about work, or just about your feelings. It touches every core area of your life: body, mind, money, love, purpose, and beyond.

·       It’s Personalised — You choose the categories. You define success. This isn’t someone else’s dream life. It’s your reality check, on your terms.

·       It’s Immediate — One glance and BAM—you know where you’re winning, and where the wheel’s falling off. No need to wait for a coach, a course, or a full moon.

·       It’s Action-Oriented — Once your wheel is mapped out, it naturally leads you into goal setting. Small steps, daily wins. You’re no longer floating—you’ve got a direction.

·       It’s Repeatable — This isn’t a one-hit wonder. It grows with you. Use it monthly, quarterly, annually. Each time, it brings sharper insights and deeper change.

·       It’s Empowering — This isn’t about judging yourself. It’s about claiming your power. The wheel doesn’t whisper, it shouts: “Hey, you’ve got control. Let’s do something with it.”

Other tools make you think. The Life Balance Wheel makes you act.

This tool doesn't sugar-coat. It doesn't flatter your ego. It tells the truth. And that's what makes it so damn powerful.

How to Use the Life Balance Wheel (Step-by-Step, No BS)

1. Draw or Download the Wheel

Old school? Draw a big circle. Divide it into 15 equal slices. Label each one with the categories above—or adjust them to what matters to you.

Label each one with a life area that feels relevant and meaningful to you. If “career” feels too narrow, call it “life purpose.” If “spirituality” doesn’t click, maybe it’s “connection to nature” or “intuition.” This is your wheel, your journey—so the categories should reflect your values, your dreams, and your current priorities. Choose labels that light something up inside you. That way, when you rate them, you’re not just going through the motions—you’re getting crystal clear on what truly matters.

Digital diva? Download a printable template.

2. Rate Each Slice: 1–10

Ask yourself: "How satisfied am I with this area of my life—right now?"

·       1 = Total disaster

·       10 = Freakin' amazing

Rate each area from your gut—not your head. This isn’t a performance review. It’s a raw truth check-in. Don’t rate based on what looks good or what you wish you felt. Rate based on what’s real, right now. If you’re thriving, give it a 9 or 10. If it’s in chaos, be bold and give it a 2. Your honesty here is the foundation for all the transformation that follows.

Let the number come quickly. Don’t edit yourself. Trust that your subconscious knows more than you think.

3. Connect the Dots

Once you've rated each category, place a dot on the number that matches your rating within each slice of the wheel. Now, connect the dots around the wheel to see the overall shape.

This shape is your visual reality check. A smooth, even circle means balance. Jagged edges, dips, or flat spots? That’s where the friction is in your life. It might look chaotic—but that’s good! Chaos means there’s room to shift. Room to grow. This step turns invisible discomfort into visible patterns—and that is your first real breakthrough.

4. Decide What Matters

Once you’ve connected your wheel, it’s time to interpret it. Look at the areas with the lowest scores and ask yourself:

·       Why is this area being neglected?

·       Have I been consciously avoiding it or is it just slipping through the cracks?

·       What would an 8, 9, or 10 actually look and feel like for me in this part of my life?

Take it deeper. Visualise success in that area. Picture what it feels like to have energy, peace, or joy there. That picture becomes your target.

And while you’re at it—don't ignore the highs. They’re your proof of capacity, strength, and wisdom. High scores remind you of what’s already working, so you can protect it, maintain it, or even use it as fuel to uplift your weaker areas.

5. Take Action

Awareness without action is just information. This is where the real magic begins.

Choose ONE or TWO areas with low scores to focus on. Not five. Not ten. Just the ones that feel most urgent or most likely to create a ripple effect. Now, set a goal that is:

·       Specific: What exactly will you do?

·       Measurable: How will you track it?

·       Achievable: Is it realistic based on your current energy and schedule?

·       Relevant: Does this actually matter to you?

·       Timely: When will you do it?

Example: Low score in Emotional Wellbeing? Goal = “Do a 10-minute guided meditation every morning for the next 21 days.”

Start small, stay consistent. Don’t try to overhaul your whole life in a weekend. Real growth comes from daily habits—not giant leaps. This is how you start rolling toward a smoother, more satisfying life.

Real-Life Example: Meet Lisa

Lisa, 58 divorcee and single, filled in her wheel:

• Career: 8

• Money: 7

• Home Environment: 3

• Health: 4

• Family: 2

• Emotional Wellbeing: 2

• Fun & Leisure: 1 (ouch!)

She looked at that sad blob of a wheel and thought, “No wonder I feel exhausted.”

She didn’t try to fix it all at once. She just chose Fun and Leisure as her highest priority and a start, knowing if she improved these areas then maybe the others, especially the Emotional Wellbeing, would improve along the way and she could work on the other areas as she went along.

Her actions:

• Joined a local walking group (something she loved doing and as a bonus she made friends)

• Booked tickets to a concert (her first fun night out in years!)

• Started a weekly art class (she got to meet new people and satisfy her creativity which was fun)

Six weeks later? Her wheel isn’t perfect. But she feels ALIVE again. That’s the point.

Pro Tips to Make the Life Balance Wheel Work for You

·       Forget Perfection. Life isn’t meant to be flawless, it’s meant to be real. If your wheel isn’t round, that’s fine. The aim is better, not perfect. Chase progress like it owes you money.

·       Check In Quarterly. Life shifts fast. Goals change. Seasons change. You change. Revisit your wheel every 3 months—make it part of your self-care ritual. Think of it like a personal performance review, but way less soul-sucking.

·       Be Honest or Don’t Bother. If you're not going to be raw and real with yourself, you're just colouring in a circle. No point. The power comes from truth. Even if it’s uncomfortable, especially if it’s uncomfortable.

·       Use It With a Counsellor. This wheel is magic in a counselling or coaching session. It gets right to the heart of what matters without the client needing to say a word. Use it as a jumping-off point for deep conversations and goal setting.

·       Celebrate the Highs. Don’t just focus on what’s broken. Use your high scores to remind yourself what’s working—and build from there. Strengthen your strengths while you elevate your weak points.

·       Visualise the 10. In every category, ask yourself, "What would a 10 look like? Feel like? Smell like?" Make it vivid. That’s your roadmap.

·       Make Micro-Moves. Don't plan a life overhaul—create one small habit in your weak zone to start the ball rolling. Consistency of changed habits crushes intensity every time.

When to Use the Life Balance Wheel

You don’t need a meltdown or a life crisis like a divorce to use the Life Balance Wheel (though hey, it helps). The truth is, this tool is relevant at every stage of life, whether you're in survival mode, starting over again or scaling new heights. Think of it like your personal GPS—the more often you check it, the less likely you are to get lost.

Here are some ideal moments to break out the wheel:

·       New Year or Birthday Reflection – Perfect for goal-setting and vision planning. Start the year (or your personal new year) with clarity and direction.

·       When You're Stuck – Feeling flat, off, or vaguely dissatisfied? That’s your cue. The wheel helps you pinpoint what's draining your energy.

·       During Big Transitions – Going through a divorce, changing careers, becoming an empty nester, retiring? This tool offers structure when everything else feels upside down.

·       After Burnout or Breakdown – When you're crawling out of the wreckage of overwhelm, the wheel gives you a roadmap for getting back on your feet, step by step.

·       Quarterly Check-Ins – Like a business performance review, but for your soul. Every few months, pull out your wheel and ask: What’s shifted? What needs realignment?

·       Before Making Big Decisions – Thinking about moving cities? Starting a relationship? Launching a business? The wheel gives you insight into whether you're making choices from a place of alignment or avoidance.

·       During Wins & Highs – Don’t just use the wheel when things feel broken. It’s also great when life’s going great. See what’s working so you can bottle it, expand it, and replicate it.

Bottom line: Any time is a good time if you're ready to stop tolerating the life you have and start creating the life you want.

Mistakes to Avoid (Don't Sabotage Your Own Growth)

Let’s be honest—self-sabotage is sneaky. Even when you're trying to improve your life, it's easy to fall into patterns that derail your progress. Here are the most common missteps people make with the Life Balance Wheel (and how to avoid them):

·       Rating what you THINK you should feel – This isn’t about looking good on paper. It's about being real. If you rate your relationship as a 9 because you “should” be grateful, but deep down you're unfulfilled, you're only lying to yourself. Your wheel won't serve you unless you get raw and honest.

·       Trying to fix everything at once – Ambition is great, but trying to overhaul your entire life in a week will burn you out fast. Focus on one or two key areas. Small, consistent steps create big shifts. Play the long game.

·       Doing it once and never again – The wheel isn’t a one-off. It's a tool for ongoing growth. If you only use it once, you’re missing out on the real power—tracking your evolution. Revisit your wheel regularly. Make it part of your routine.

·       Comparing your wheel to someone else’s – This isn’t a competition. Your version of balance won’t look like anyone else’s. Don’t judge your progress by someone else's journey. Your wheel is about your truth, your needs, your vision.

·       Focusing only on the lows – Yes, the low scores need attention. But don’t forget to acknowledge what’s working. Celebrate your wins. They’re fuel for the road ahead.

·       Getting stuck in analysis mode – The wheel isn’t meant to be a pretty picture you stare at. It’s meant to lead to action. Don’t get stuck interpreting every detail. Rate it. Reflect. Then move your feet.

Success with this tool isn’t about perfection. It’s about momentum. So ditch the pressure and keep moving forward—imperfectly, but powerfully.

Final Word: This Wheel Could Save Your Sanity

Look, life is short. And messy. And beautiful. And completely under your power to shape.

If you've been through a divorce, you know how disorienting it can be. One day you're part of a couple, the next you're defining your identity, your priorities and your future. It's overwhelming, and often lonely.

The Life Balance Wheel is your personal clarity compass. It shows you what needs love. What deserves celebration. And where to aim next.

It's especially powerful after divorce because it gives you something concrete to focus on when everything else feels uncertain. It gently guides you to rebuild-not just your routines, but your confidence, your joy and your sense of self.

So stop waiting for the perfect moment. Stop living by default.

Draw the damn wheel. Rate your reality. Then DO something about it.

Because the ride gets smoother when the wheel is balanced. And your best life - post divorce and beyond - is waiting at the next turn.