Let’s talk wellness for a minute. But not the kind of wellness you see plastered all over Instagram—perfect green smoothies, workout routines that make you want to cry, and the never-ending parade of “clean eating” that somehow manages to suck all the joy out of food. Nope. I’m talking about real wellness—the kind that actually fits into your life, doesn’t make you feel like you’re failing, and isn’t trying to sell you a thousand-dollar cleanse that promises to change your life.
Because let’s be honest: wellness is a billion-dollar industry, and there’s always someone out there trying to sell you something, shame you for something, or convince you that you’re not “doing it right.” Well, I’m here to call BS on the whole thing.
The Myth of the Perfect Wellness Routine
For years, I bought into the idea that there was some perfect combination of diet and exercise that would finally unlock the door to optimal health and eternal happiness. If I could just find that magic formula, then I’d be thin enough, strong enough, healthy enough—basically, just enough. And isn’t that what the wellness industry promises? If you can just stick to the perfect diet, hit all your workout goals, and avoid anything that could remotely be labeled “bad,” then you’ll be worthy. You’ll finally be enough.
Well, guess what? That’s a myth. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to wellness. And let me tell you, sugar won’t kill you. Neither will carbs, or fats, or whatever food the wellness police are demonizing this week. What will kill you? Spending your life obsessed with perfection and chasing impossible standards set by an industry that profits off of keeping you insecure.
Wellness Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All
Here’s the truth about wellness: what works for one person may not work for you. And that’s perfectly okay. You don’t need to follow some rigid plan, wake up at 5AM for a workout you hate, or drink a $15 green juice every day to be well. Although let’s be honest, I do love me some green juice! Wellness is about finding what makes you feel good—mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Maybe that means yoga and meditation. Maybe it means long walks and occasional pizza nights. Maybe it means finding a balance where you eat what nourishes you but don’t beat yourself up for enjoying a piece of cake at a birthday party. Whatever it looks like, it’s yours. And you have full permission to create your own version of wellness that doesn’t feel like a punishment.
The Wellness Industry Is Designed to Keep You Small
Let’s not forget the darker side of the wellness industry—it’s a billion-dollar business, and its goal isn’t to make you feel empowered. Its goal is to make you feel like you’re never quite good enough, never quite healthy enough, never quite thin or fit or perfect enough. And as long as you’re distracted by trying to reach that impossible goal, you’re staying small figuratively even if not physically.
And who benefits from keeping women focused on shrinking their bodies and “fixing” themselves? The very systems that want us to stay small in the first place. Patriarchy, I’m looking at you. As long as we’re obsessed with hitting that perfect number on the scale or getting those six-pack abs, we’re not out here making noise, taking up space, and changing the world.
Because here’s the real deal: when women are too busy chasing impossible beauty and health standards, we’re not using our energy to disrupt systems, create change, and demand better for ourselves and our communities. Wellness should be about empowerment, not distraction.
You Don’t Need to Be Perfect to Be Healthy
Look, I’m not saying health isn’t important. Of course it is. But the idea that you need to be perfect at it is what’s keeping so many of us trapped in a cycle of guilt, shame, and failure. It’s time to let go of the idea that you need to earn your worth by following the “right” diet or hitting the gym every day.
Wellness isn’t about deprivation or punishment. It’s about feeling good in your body and making choices that support your well-being. And that’s going to look different for everyone. Maybe it means taking a break when you need it, eating dessert when you want it, and moving your body in ways that feel fun—not because you’re trying to “earn” your food or punish yourself for eating it.
Let’s Ditch the Shame
The wellness industry loves to sell us shame. If you’re not sticking to your diet, if you didn’t get your workout in, if you ate that cupcake—then clearly, you’re failing, right? Wrong. Let me tell you something: there’s no shame in enjoying your life. You don’t have to be perfect at wellness to be well. You don’t have to punish yourself for having a busy week and missing the gym, or for eating pizza because it’s delicious and you’re a human being who enjoys food.
Wellness should be about feeling empowered, not ashamed. It’s about making choices that feel right for you, not following someone else’s rigid plan that doesn’t fit your life.
Wellness on Your Own Terms
So here’s my take: Find the wellness that works for you. If you love early-morning workouts and eating kale, fantastic. If you’re more of a night owl who loves a balanced approach that includes both salads and ice cream, also fantastic. There’s no one right way to be well, and you don’t owe anyone an explanation for how you take care of yourself.
The most radical thing you can do for your health and well-being is to listen to your body, honor your needs, and stop chasing perfection. The real goal of wellness should be to feel good—not to fit into someone else’s idea of what “healthy” looks like.
Wellness Is Personal, Not a Product
At the end of the day, wellness is deeply personal. It’s not something you can buy in a bottle or a program someone else can sell you. It’s about finding balance, peace, and joy in how you take care of yourself—mind, body, and soul. So the next time someone tries to sell you on the idea that you need to do more, be more, or fix yourself to be “healthy,” remind yourself that you’re already enough.
Wellness isn’t about hitting some arbitrary standard. It’s about creating a life that feels good, that honors who you are, and that gives you the space to thrive. So, go ahead—ditch the guilt, eat the cake, and take up space. Your wellness is yours to define.
