I used to have this picture-perfect idea of what “wellness” looked like. Morning lemon water, a run before the kids woke up, meditation in the corner of my living room. You can probably guess how long that lasted. Spoiler: not long. Between school drop-offs, work, and just trying to keep the laundry pile from winning, my so-called wellness routine became another box to check. And honestly? It started feeling more exhausting than empowering.
If your current routine is starting to feel like a chore, or it’s not working the way it used to, it might be time to shake things up.
Start with a Gut Check
Ask yourself this: Is your wellness routine something you actually enjoy, or something you feel obligated to do? Are you powering through a workout you hate just because it’s popular? For wellness to work, it has to feel good, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
So take stock. Maybe what you really need isn’t another app or another cleanse, but more quiet moments, more sleep, or more laughs with your kids at the end of the day. Your version of wellness just needs to make you feel more whole.
Trade One “Should” for a “Could”
Instead of trying to overhaul everything at once, pick one small thing to swap out. Maybe instead of your usual workout, you go on a silly dance break with your kids. Or you swap a high-pressure journaling session for a few deep breaths before bed.
Think of your routine like a backpack; you don’t need to keep stuffing it full. Sometimes, the smartest thing you can do is take something out and make room for what actually helps you move through the day with ease.
Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-person-holding-cup-3363111/
Try Something Unexpected
Sometimes the best thing you can do is step outside your norm. Maybe that’s trying a new herbal tea, testing out a gentle stretching video, or downloading a mindfulness app that fits into your lunch break. You could even explore holistic tools and trends; some folks choose to learn more about cannabis and health as part of a broader wellness plan. It’s about staying open to what might work for your lifestyle.
Even if it feels unfamiliar at first, introducing just one new element can shift your mindset and make your routine feel fresh again.
Ditch the Pressure to Be Perfect
Wellness is not a one-size-fits-all. There is no gold medal for the most curated routine. What you’re going to do is what makes you feel good about yourself after a day. If that’s skipping out on yoga for a movie night with the family snuggled up together on couches, that’s okay. If it’s turning down a jam-packed day for rest time, then yes, do it.
Be kind to yourself. This season may be different from previous ones, and that is okay.
Since your wellness routine has to enhance your life, not stress you out further, here’s a piece of good news: you get to redefine it whenever you need to.
