IMHO lang: When one decides to take up the violin, I think a decision on 2 answers which will dictate next steps:

1. What level of commitment is one prepared to give?
2. IS one or WILL one be prepared to give a consistent level of commitment?

If recreation lang, then minimal time will be devoted for minimal gain. There will be time for everything else, and how "good" one gets will range from "so-so" to "okay lang" which is fine if that's all one expects of oneself.

Now if one decides they WANT to be good, then acceptance of the violin ruling the majority of one's remaining time must happen because that is what it will take to be GOOD -- the range of which can be subjective, so for purposes of discussion lagay nalang natin sa level 1 (perfect sa intonation and measures ng kahit anong piece assigned or tackled, pati sight-reading), 2 (kasing-galing na level ni Liza), and 3 (skills can merit an audition with a professional orchestra) ang range definition for what constitutes GOOD -- and depending on WHAT level of GOOD one aims to be, then that would dictate how much of one's available time will be devoted to the violin. For folks like us, that will also mean crucially deciding WHAT other things will remain to share the little time we have left. So basically, a "paring down of fluff" will have to be done. Photography. Kendo. Movie-Marathons. Etc. Lahat yan "fluff" na yan dedesisyunan ng "stay" or "go". Ang matitirang constant is work + school and/or higher education classes (i.e.: MBA, language certification courses, etc).

My thinking kasi is, if malinaw sa isang tao ang balak nyang patunguhan, the proverbial "fire in your belly" should be all the inspiration one needs to keep the fire lit.

But, since "tao lang" and all, to answer your question, these are what I do to maintan the balance:

1. After an hour of practice that has me frustrated, I watch an episode (or two) of La Corda d'Oro or whatever anime series am following at the moment. Depende nalang sa mood. HeHe!
2. In general naman, I play a few notes of my "panagarap pieces" pang-tanggal umay lang. I call it the "atchara intermission".
3. I go to Little Tokyo to eat and read. Makipag-kwentuhan kay Ojii-sama para hindi mabulok yun nihonggo.

Basically, activities that will keep my upper limbs safe. Ang worst na pwede mangyari ay paper cut!

Of course if magkaroon ng out of town or country due to work or gimmick (na more than 24 hours) with family or friends, bitbit ang violin. Paalam and hingi baon lessons from Sensei (if more than 1 week mawawala). Family and Friends know I will need 30mins-1hour a day to practice.

And they are wise enough to know not to make kontra. (^^,)v