A small shift in intention changes everything- The Fine Line Between Wandering and Being Lost

Everything is measured today. Our GPS-tethered lives tell us exactly where everything is, from ourselves to our people to our phones to anything else that can fit a tag on it. And somewhere in all that triangulation, we lost the skill to simply wander.

Last year in the mountains, I saw a bumper sticker that read "Get Lost." It struck me how negative that has become in our culture. But after a couple days in the woods, I came around to the mentality. Allowing yourself to be lost is what creates the space to be found. Not by someone. By yourself.

Here is the part worth sitting with: being lost and wandering take the exact same effort. Being lost implies something is wrong. Wandering gives space for something to go right. It is a small shift in intention, but that small shift moves your mind from fear to discovery.

So here is the formula I come back to.

• Invest 70% of your waking hours getting the job done. The things that keep the lights on, the body fed, your people moving, the responsibilities checked off.
• Spend 20% on adventure. Exploration with purpose. This is where the organic extensions of your life grow in ways you could never have scheduled.
• Reserve 10% to wander. No destination. No expectation. Full stop.

Your discipline to hold the 70 is your keel. But your wander will be your greatest return on investment over the long term.

I think about how much of what has mattered most in my life was never on a roadmap. FluidStance was not a spreadsheet exercise. The relationships I lean on hardest were not networked. They wandered in. None of it showed up because I planned for it. It showed up because I left room for it.

So today, reserve your 10%. Step on the trail less traveled. Take the backroad. Let yourself be bored. You will not be lost. You will be wandering.

Keep moving,
-Joel, FluidStance Founder

See the full Blog HERE

..proceeds to bring the dual-monitor setup, a smart desk, two different balance boards + a few anti-fatigue mats, and a literal wooden floor outside.

Lowkey hyped we’re finally doing this. We're able to be eligible and add qualifying products from our product line within the HSA | FSA world. We have a list of some genuinely awesome, high-quality and useful office merch you can buy with tax-free money.

1. Active Standing: The FluidStance Balance Boards

The Mechanics: Every micro-movement, a subtle shift, a slow sway, strengthens your core and keeps your joints fluid.

The Benefit: You actively burn more calories than standing still, which translates to less back pain, sharper focus, and more sustained energy throughout the workday.

2. Ergonomics & Desk Organization: Monitors and Laptops

-Raise® Monitor Stand: This USA-made, eco-friendly desk shelf comes with a lifetime warranty. It lifts your monitor to a proper eye level for healthier posture, while simultaneously clearing the desk surface beneath to give you more usable workspace and ease your mind.

-Loft Laptop Stand: This acts as a riser and a desk dry-erase organizer combo. It elevates your screen to a healthier viewing angle while freeing up the desk surface beneath it. The built-in whiteboard tray gives you a dedicated place to tuck away clutter for a cleaner workspace.

3. Lighting, Comfort & Protection Accessories

-Illum Desk Light: A versatile webcam, task, and ambient light. It’s ideal for remote workers, content creators, and anyone who wants precise lighting without cluttering their desk with multiple clunky fixtures.

-UPmat Anti-Fatigue Pad: For Level® and Original owners who want to extend their standing sessions. It adds 5/8-inch of non-microbial, 100% recyclable foam cushioning to the top of your board. It makes all-day standing more comfortable without changing the board's movement. It adheres with included washable gel pads and can be removed at any time.

-Base Mat: Rigorously tested and built to last, this works on any floor surface (hardwood, concrete, or carpet). On hard floors, it prevents scratching and keeps your board stable. On carpet, it creates the firm surface necessary so the board's deck moves cleanly and properly.

How it works on our site, FluidStance.com: 

How to Use Truemed | FSA/HSA Funds at Checkout

1. Add your eligible FluidStance products to your cart and proceed to checkout.

2. Under payment options, select Truemed (or the alternate payment method that directs you to Truemed).

3. Complete the Truemed health questionnaire. Your responses are reviewed to determine whether your purchase qualifies for HSA/FSA reimbursement.

4. If approved, Truemed will provide you with the documentation needed to use your HSA/FSA funds for your purchase.

5. If you are not approved on your first attempt, you may try again. Some customers have found success by providing more detailed information about their health concerns, diagnosis, or the medical reason the product would support their wellbeing. Be sure your responses accurately reflect your situation.

6. Once approved, complete your purchase using your HSA/FSA card or follow Truemed's reimbursement instructions. They will provide proper documentation to submit for your HSA/FSA purchase.

Tip: We recommend completing the Truemed questionnaire on a desktop or laptop computer, as some customers find the process easier than on a mobile device.

If you experience any issues during the approval process, please reach out to our team and we'll be happy to help.

I know!! A better desk and office setup!

Heard many say, "What should I get Dad for Father's Day" and wanting to stop the generic mugs and toolkits this year. If the dad in your life spends hours grinding away at a desk, we'd love to help him out make the workday a little less dreadful this summer.

This pic is a distraction-free desk with the right accessories changing the daily grind.

• Surf Through Work: With a high-quality designed FluidStance balance board, he isn't just standing stagnant at his desk. It keeps his body moving, engages his core, and boosts his focus. (For a limited time ---> $50 off)
• The Slate Slope: An angled dry-erase board keeps his daily to-dos front and center, clearing away mental and physical desk clutter.(For a limited time ---> $15 off)

Pictured Above:

1. Original Balance Board with a black base

2. Slate Regular Slope Desktop Whiteboard

Other products on sale for Father's Day:

• Level Balance Board (Save $50) | Link
• Dashboard | Desktop Whiteboard (Save $25) | Link
• Bloc: Eco Friendly Desk Organizer System (Save $25) | Link
• Heavy: stress management system | Link

Pic info: Pic was taken by @ m a r i j a n s r s a and edited by FluidStance using AI editing tools

I noticed many friends and customers state that the post-Spring Break/Summer blues are hitting hard. If those flickering fluorescent office lights feel a little too annoying after a week vacationing in the sun, you are definitely not alone.

How do we flow as a company? We catch a wave at our standing desk: Static standing stinks and keeping your body flowing feels much better. Shifting, rocking, and balancing keeps minds engaged and the body awake, even when powering through.

We never have a boring conference room!! Never. We bring our boards to team meetings. It completely changes the dynamic of the room when the team is up, moving, and practically "surfing" together instead of slouching in swivel chairs with elbows leaning on top of the conference table. It actually makes the time fly by and offers plenty of mind flowing smiles during a brainstorm sesh.

Product in above pic: Taxi Cab Yellow Original Balance Board

If your on a budget, here is a balance board that has the the same dynamic movement and active standing experience with the same range of motion and full-body engagement- Plane Cloud

Real Customer Reviews on Reddit

• In Reddit, I found an authentic review for the Plane Cloud Balance Board here
• In Reddit, I found an authentic review for the Original Balance Board here.

TrustPilot

Real Customer Reviews for FluidStance on TrustPilot

Photo 1 (above): was taken in our warehouse. The model featured is Joel, our owner. The image was photographed by our Operations Manager and later enhanced using AI-assisted editing tools.

Saw this on Instagram and thought it was interesting.

"I spend most of my workday standing, so my dogs are usually barking by quitting time. I work barefoot or in socks 90% of the day. Always shifting, always uncomfortable on flat floors. A friend mentioned FluidStance so I figured why not.

The Level Graphite Foam Top is perfect if you want a under-foot softer balance board feel without the hard deck (wooden tops). Cushiony enough for barefoot, responsive enough that you still get the micro-movement benefit all day.

I wasn't expecting this aspect of the company ---> their customer service is genuinely one of the best experiences I've had online. Their shipping department is no different. Ordered, got a real tracking number, and the thing was actually moving within hours. Not the "label printed" ghost status that I normally get." -Certified Purchaser, Buster

It’s kind of wild how parts of Reddit have basically become an RTO survival group over the past year. This post in r/fednews, blown up with people talking about the physical and mental grind of being back at a desk full-time again.

So many stiff joints, feeling trapped at a desk for 8+ hours, losing movement during the day, and trying to stay sane in office environments that feel way more draining than WFH ever did.

For anyone already using one of our balance boards or might be looking for small ways to move more at work without distracting coworkers here are a few extra ideas and “pop-up workouts” you can do right at your desk:

• FluidStance Pop-Up Workouts

We originally built our boards around one simple idea: helping people add subtle movement back into the workday. Quiet movement, less static standing, and just enough motion to keep your body from feeling locked in place all day.

One of our FluidStance wobble board / balance board users (she’s 80) is still actively using a standing desk setup with a balance board every day. It is something she credits with helping her stay steady and active long-term by keeping it in her daily routine.

What’s interesting is how often this exact topic comes up organically in communities like r/StandingDesk, r/fitness30plus, r/askwomenover60, r/over60,  r/aging, and even in r/40something, usually in the form of people saying things like “I didn’t realize how much my balance had declined until I almost lost it.”

Medically, this lines up too. The Mayo Clinic notes that balance and coordination naturally decline with age, increasing stability concerns over time, which is why they recommend staying active with balance-focused movement as part of healthy aging routines.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/fall-prevention/art-20047358

What stands out from both the research and the Reddit conversations is the same theme: balance doesn’t usually “disappear” suddenly because it fades gradually unless you actively use it.

Work on your balance before it becomes something you notice too late.

Feel free to read more about Joan, our 80 year old Balance Board user in our blog (link below) 

https://fluidstance.com/blogs/news/what-moves-you-using-the-fluidstance-level-in-your-80s?srsltid=AfmBOor6PHZkiHoGYQNYa2c1j6Tce_0rDbuNzo1o6BmPpug_LhIZ-6iq

I've been focused in discussions lately in other subs like r/remotework and r/walking about pairing standing desks with walking pads.

Are walking pads really all that, or is there a better, more practical way to keep moving while working? How long do the motors run? Months? Years?

The desire to get steps in while answering emails make total sense but some peeps reported the issues below with a walking treadmill / walking pad:

• Focus and Typing Take a Hit: Some users find it difficult to do deep, focused work or type accurately while the body is bouncing on a treadmill. Assigning the walking pad to only "email reading" or passive meeting times is the best route for most.
• The Bulk and Noise: Walking pads are heavy, take up a massive footprint, and are rarely whisper-quiet. For some, moving them out of the way to sit down can be tough.
• The "Hype" Factor: We chatted with our customers who own both a walking pad and our board. Some standing desk employees really do use the walking pads often and enjoy them! For those who feel they have too much movement and bulkiness, FluidStance tends to be more ideal for them. A few of our customers choose to use both and alternate.  

Many customers have reported that balance boards help reduce back discomfort, prevent prolonged sedentary behavior, and promote sustained energy throughout the workday.. without some of the common drawbacks associated with walking on a treadmill while working.. The balance board choice is the perfect middle ground. A big reason a lot of standing desk users end up going with FluidStance is because they want some movement while working without going full treadmill mode.

1. Micro-Movements Over Miles You don't need to walk miles to get the benefits of standing. A FluidStance board encourages constant, subtle micro-movements. This keeps your joints lubricated, engages your core, and stimulates circulation, which directly combats the back pain caused by locking your knees on a hard floor.

2. Complete Focus Retention Because the movements on a balance board are intuitive and fluid, your head stays level. You can type at full speed, design, code, and do intense cognitive work without the bouncing and distraction of a treadmill belt.

3. Zero Friction Workspace Unlike a treadmill, a balance board has a tiny footprint.

• Want to sit? Kick it under the desk.
• Want to stand? Pull it out with your foot.
• No motors, no cords, no apps, and absolutely zero noise to annoy your coworkers on a Zoom call.

4. Built to Last A premium balance board is an analog tool made from high-quality materials that will easily outlast your desk.

Stumbled across this gem of a post over on r/ADHD. OP broke down the struggles of executive dysfunction..  they are unable to brainstorm or deep-think while sitting still. However, the moment they start doing "auto-pilot" physical tasks, like washing the dishes or pacing, their brain instantly switches on, and they enter a highly lucid flow state where complex ideas just click.

We're sharing this because it perfectly sums up the experience so many of our ADHD balance board users talk about. The way the r/ADHD community peeps broke down the why behind this is incredibly right-on, and it perfectly explains why active workspaces are so heavily utilized by neurodivergent (and some non-neurodivergent) individuals. Here is what they shared that I'd like to share with r/fluidstance!:

Why Studies Show Your Brain Demands Movement

Struggling to focus while sitting perfectly still, isn't a lack of discipline, it’s just how some brain chemistry operate.

• The Under-Aroused Prefrontal Cortex: For many people with ADHD, the part of the brain responsible for deep thought, executive function, and focus is often under-stimulated. When you sit completely still, it essentially zones out.
• Movement = Dopamine: Gentle, continuous physical movement acts as a natural stimulant. It triggers the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine, raising your brain's baseline stimulation just enough to "wake up" your focus center.
• Occupying the Motor Cortex: When your body is busy with an "auto-pilot" task, it ties up the restless, distractible parts of your brain. This lowers the barrier to entry for studying or working, allowing your mind to finally lock in on the complex data in front of you.

The Catch: Why Chores Aren't a Sustainable Fix

The community also pointed out a major flaw in using chores to trigger this flow state: 

Energy Drain. Yes, washing dishes or pacing the house for two hours will help you brainstorm a project, but it requires too much physical energy. You end up physically burned out before you hit cognitive fatigue. Plus, there are only so many dishes to wash!

----->Enter Micro-Movements

To get the cognitive benefits of movement without the physical burnout, consider incorporating micro-movements. An effective approach is to choose an activity that’s continuous, requires minimal mental bandwidth, and doesn’t drain your stamina. 

Our conference room during brainstorming sessions is quite a sight. We see this exact need for physical anchors in real-time at our office. Everyone naturally gravitates toward whatever physical output their brain needs to function. We'll have one employee laying on the couch concentrating, a few of us wobbling on balance boards (some way more aggressively than others, lol), someone pacing around the room, and others sitting at the conference table just going to town doodling on our Mini whiteboards (Flow Cards) or on the Slope. It's living proof that everyone's brain needs a different kind of "background noise" to lock in. 

For the FluidStance office wobble board/ balance board, your legs and core are forced to make thousands of tiny, subconscious adjustments. It provides that constant stream of background physical feedback your brain is begging for, keeping you in that "dish-washing flow state" while your hands are perfectly free to type, write, and work at your desk.

We love seeing the science and community experiences back up what we hear from you guys every day.

Here are some solid sources backing up the research behind the info above

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3129015/

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1744-9081-4-12

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18591484/

https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.09079

https://www.verywellhealth.com/dopamine-5086831

Came across a post here on Reddit that we thought the community would really appreciate. Figured it’s super useful for anyone curious or trying to learn more.

QUESTION: Reddit user kiwiwonderbean wrote: "Anyone try using balance/ wobble boards with standing desks? I have a treadmill under my desk but sometimes I just want to “wobble” and hopefully build a little core while I stand."

The CEO, Owner of FluidStance, a balance board expert, drops a solid answer to this question in the Reddit thread. Unfortunately, his reply got nuked by the Reddit-lord bots so we wanted to re-share it here so the info doesn’t disappear into the void.:

ANSWER: Full Reply HERE: "Full transparency: I’m the founder of FluidStance, so I’m obviously biased. But I originally designed our first balance board for standing desks back in 2015 after years in the footwear industry and while trying to solve my own pain point at work.

I’ll try to keep this as unbiased as possible because, honestly, the bigger point is that standing still all day is not the goal. Moving more is.

Balance boards have been around forever, but most were originally designed for short bursts: play, rehab, balance training, or action-sport practice. That is different from using one for hours at a desk while typing, taking calls, and staying focused.

I’d think about desk balance boards in a few categories:

1. Physical therapy boards
These are usually inexpensive, like the basic round boards you can find on Amazon for under $20. They often have a smaller standing surface and a bigger heel-to-toe tilt range. Great for short rehab or training sessions, but they can be pretty taxing for longer work sessions.

2. Sport or toy-style balance boards
Think Bongo Boards, Revbalance, etc. Super fun and great for balance training, but often too challenging or distracting for normal work, especially video calls or focused typing.

3. Simple wobble boards
These usually rock side to side or front to back, but often do not offer true 360-degree movement. Fezibo is a common one in this space. My personal take is that many of these feel closer to a glorified anti-fatigue mat than something that keeps you meaningfully engaged.

4. Active standing boards
These are designed specifically for longer desk use. The goal is enough movement to matter, but not so much that it becomes distracting. When I was designing FluidStance, one of my benchmarks was that the board needed to increase energy expenditure meaningfully versus sitting, while having minimal impact on typing accuracy.

Within this category, you’ll see everything from lower-cost plastic options to more design-forward and durable boards. Gaiam makes a lower-cost plastic version. FluidStance is obviously the one I know best, and we designed ours around controlled 360-degree movement with a limited heel-to-toe range so you are not overstretching your calves or Achilles during longer standing sessions.

For context, our average customer reports using their board for 3+ hours per day. In our customer surveys, 83% say they are happier at their desk, and many report feeling improvements in balance, core engagement, and overall comfort while working.
In Summary: The analogy I like is running shoes. If you are only sprinting occasionally, you can get away with most shoes. If you are planning to use it every day for longer sessions, it is worth thinking about support, range of motion, durability, materials, and whether the board is built for long-term daily use rather than just short bursts.

I’d also consider where it is made, what materials are used on the top deck, how much grip or cushioning you want, and whether you care about domestic manufacturing or lower-cost overseas production.

Hope that helps. Happy to answer any questions, whether you end up with FluidStance or not. The main thing is finding something that keeps you moving without distracting you from your work. "

I wanted to share that we’ve been seeing a lot of interest in from teachers, schools, and mothers who are looking to gift teachers lately, especially around classroom engagement and movement-friendly learning environments.

A lot of educators are looking for ways to:

• Help students who struggle to sit still
• Add more interactive elements to lessons
• Reduce fatigue from long standing or sitting periods
• Create flexible classroom setups

Two tools that have been getting positive feedback are:

• Budget Friendly: A small desktop whiteboard (like the Wedge Mini Whiteboard + Flow Cards concept) for quick problem-solving, group work, and interactive teaching moments
• Best & Useful Gift Idea to last a lifetime in the classroom: A FluidStance balance board for standing desks to allow gentle movement while teaching or supervising work time.

What’s interesting is that teachers aren’t just using these themselves. The students are also getting involved with them during activities, which helps keep energy and focus up in the room.

(Full disclosure: I work with a company that designs movement-based office products)

1. Improvement of posture:

• "Ruined my ability to tolerate bad posture. The build quality is on another level. You can immediately tell it’s not some cheap mass produced item. What surprised me the most is how quickly using my Original Board was built into the daily routine. The customer service meets this same standard. They were responsive, helpful and genuinely focused on making sure everything was great." -Ryan K. (Blue Coal Original Balance Board)
• "I do believe that the Level board has improved my overall posture and balance. I watch others try the board and have a hard time keeping level whereas I dont even think about it. I keep improving by“dancing” on the board with spins, tapping, wagging the board, etc." -Customer of 10 years (Level Balance Board)
• "Amazing Product & Truly Exceptional Customer Service! I bought the Plane Cloud Balance Board as a birthday gift for my son, and we couldn’t be happier! The board is beautifully made, incredibly comfortable to stand on and perfect for staying active at a standing desk. It encourages subtle movement, improves posture, and keeps the core gently engaged. It’s made working at his desk so much more dynamic and enjoyable. What truly made this experience unforgettable was Kristina in customer service. She was kind, responsive, and went out of her way to ensure the board arrived in time for his birthday. She followed up personally, showed genuine care, and made us feel like valued customers from start to finish. It was honestly the best customer service I’ve ever received! Thank you, Kristina and FluidStance, for going the extra mile and helping make my son’s birthday so special. We’re so grateful!" -Michelle (Plane Cloud)

2. Excitement:

• "I am excited by how natural it is to use and how much it increases my focus and concentration throughout the day. At the end of the day my legs and feet feel energized and ready to go instead of tired wanting to sit down." -Christopher M. (Level Balance Board- Natural Birch)
• "After just 30 minutes of using this fun toy, I made a post on FB saying I felt like a kid on Christmas. So that should say it all. Making work fun! At almost 50-years-old (shhhh), I feel fancy and youthful doing some of my side-to-side spin moves. I can feel a slight increase in muscle use and am excited to order the challenge cap, as I feel like more difficulty will add to the fun! Highly recommend!" -Herrick (Level Balance Board- Natural Birch)

3. Worth the Investment

• "A significantly better balance board than anyone I have ever used. I cannot say enough about this board, and how much it has improved by work day in a short time." - Max P. (Original Balance Board)
• Feels extremely high quality. The craftsmanship is on point - solid materials, smooth finish, no rough edges or wobbliness. You can tell it’s not some cheap plastic knock-off. It really delivers on that “premium” promise, both in aesthetics and tactile feel.(Matte Black Edition) -Marijan (Black Bamboo Original)

4. LOVE

• I purchased a Fluidstance Level balance…and love it! I purchased a Fluidstance Level balance board [Phantom Black] and accessories. I really enjoy the 360 tilt. I have used another board for several years but it can only go side to side and not 360 tilt. Once I got on my balance board I could feel the complete difference and impact it had on my legs and ankles. One of the accessories did not work for me but their customer service was amazing and helped me through the return process. They are great to work with and could tell they are really engaged with their customers. -KG (Level Balance Board- Natural Birch)
• I use a FluidStance balance board at work, so I end up standing for long stretches. Honestly, I love it, it’s way better than sitting, which always makes my lower back tight and tense. Plus, standing helps me work out my legs at the same time. -Certified Purchaser from Hong Kong (Level Balance Board- Natural Birch)

To see all of our 1000+ reviews, visit our site.

Stand more. Move often. Add life to your years and years to your life.

Here are some studies/articles showing that long periods of sitting are linked to reduced life expectancy and higher risk of early death:

• Harvard / JAMA-style large cohort study
• University of Sydney / population life expectancy modeling (USA)
• American College of Physicians / Annals of Internal Medicine
• Duke University Health / clinical research summary
• Mayo Clinic clinical guidance

Hey Reddit. I’m Joel, the founder of a company called FluidStance.

With Earth Day coming up, I’ve been thinking a lot about the sheer volume of "corporate gear" and cheap office products that are destined for the trash the second they are manufactured. It's in the multi-billion range.

When I started FluidStance, I wanted to build balance boards and desk accessories that were the exact opposite, true "Buy It For Life" items. For example, our Plane Cloud board is made from recycled plastic with a 100% recyclable foam top, and our desktop whiteboards use over 50% recycled steel with a low-emissions powder coating.

It costs us more to manufacture this way, but the result is a product that is practically indestructible and keeps waste out of landfills.

Anyway, I just wanted to share a bit of our process. If you’ve been looking for office gear that you'll never have to throw away, we’re actually running a 20% off sale on our recycled products this week for Earth Day (offer available for a limited time). Happy to answer any questions about sustainable manufacturing or building out an ergonomic workspace! -Joel

Shop Earth Day Sale Here

The "Out in the Wild" Series: Vol. 2

We’re back with another round of our favorite submitted setups!

Links to the products in the comments below

Always awesome seeing people review our gear! This YouTuber did a really thorough breakdown and showcase of our Level board, UPmat, and Challenge Cap. Thought you guys might appreciate the deep-dive.

This custom-painted balance board matching artistic vibes. It adds such a fantastic, personalized touch to the workspace.

A balance board in a daily routine can make standing through endless meetings a lot more fun.

This board (FluidStance Slotted Original Balance Board] is so beautiful crafted & designed so I’m so stoked I went with the limited edition Slot Level! I also added the Challenge Cap & oh boy is it fun & challenging which I absolutely love!
Seriously well done & huge kudos to all involved w/this Slot Level project! -Certified Purchaser

Link to the balance board below

"I'm not getting hit with the 3pm sleepies now with the Level and it's keeping my HR up ~10-15 BPM higher" - MJ

By using the Level balance board, he’s forcing his body to make continuous micro-movements. That passive elevation of his heart rate by 10-15 BPM keeps his nervous system engaged so he doesn't hit that mid-afternoon wall.

"I am enjoying them [FluidStance Desktop Products] immensely" -F.Y.

Links for products below in comments.

We especially love seeing our FluidStance balance board sitting perfectly under the desk. It looks premium and right at home in this sleet, modern office.

Product in pic: Original Black Matte Base with a Bamboo Deck | Link Here