Wellness is so individual and made up of your personal goals, taking into consideration lived experiences, health, and needs to find balance in your life. It’s deeply tied to how I treat myself and the environment I live in. One of the first signs that I need to work on my wellness is how the space around me looks. I’m naturally a type B, messy person, but when I start leaving food or trash out, I know it’s time to reach out for help or take some time to reset.
I’ve struggled with depression for over a decade, and it’s taught me the importance of self-care not just as a habit, but as a form of self-respect, confidence, and gratitude. However, living with chronic illness and disability makes wellness way more complicated. I’ve had to learn to give myself grace, especially with tasks like cooking or cleaning that can make me physically ill and use a lot of my daily energy. My mental health tends to spiral when my physical health declines, so finding that balance is crucial, even when it’s not the ideal idea of wellness.
There were many times when self-care didn’t feel possible, let alone a priority. I’m not proud of the habits that tend to resurface when I’m not at my best, but I’ve come to accept that my struggles, even the ones that I’m embarrassed of, can resonate with others who might feel too ashamed to speak out. Sometimes I just have to push through and follow the mentality, “If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl. Just get there.” Some days I crawl to the bathroom, sit in the shower, and live in filth and get absolutely nothing done, but I have made it through every time, and some days that’s enough because my worth is not defined by any of that.
For me, self-care can range from something special like doing a face mask or hair mask to something more basic like taking a shower, washing my face, or brushing my teeth. What makes these acts sacred is the care and intention I bring to them. They’ve become meditative practices for me to reflect on my progress, feel proud of myself, and thank myself for getting through another day.
I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all wellness, because everyone has a different experience with their body. Wellness is dynamic, and your needs vary from day to day, even hour to hour. Connect with yourself; learn to identify your needs and your warning signs. Even if you can do nothing else, wellness is respecting yourself, your mind, and your body for the breath you take and the function you have. Wellness is embracing imperfection, being thankful for the little things, and respecting yourself even when it’s hard.