Wellness Starts Within: Discovering Your Personal Path to Thriving Through Small Changes

Liz Kaisinger Author

Hey there, friends - new and old! I’m so glad you’re here. As you may know, I'm passionate about delving into the depths of what it truly means to be healthy and well. For me, wellness is not just about physical health.

It encompasses a beautiful balance between the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of our being. I'm here to support you on your journey toward optimal health in body, mind, emotion, and spirit.

The Meaning of "Health": A Personal Perspective

Let's start with a thoughtful discussion about the meaning of "health." Defining “health” can be a complex personal matter. It's fascinating how many perspectives shape our understanding of this concept. Some view it as mere numbers on a medical chart, while others define it through lifestyle habits, energy levels, or mindset.

The conventional healthcare model often focuses solely on physical symptoms and disease management. True health and wellness go beyond the absence of symptoms and encompass much more than that. So, what does this look like on a personal level?

Wellness: Physical, Mental, Emotional, Spiritual

When we think of physical wellness, our minds often drift to nutrition, exercise habits, sleep quality, and having the energy and strength to pursue our passions in life.

Mental wellness involves focusing on mindset, managing stress, clarity, and continuous learning.

Emotional wellness encompasses self-awareness, nurturing relationships, finding joy, and building resilience in the face of life's challenges.

Energetic or spiritual wellness is about finding purpose, fostering gratitude, and connecting with something greater than ourselves.

The Impact of Social Media on Wellness Standards

It's important to recognize that each person's needs and expression of wellness are unique and evolve over time. What nourishes one individual may not necessarily nourish another. In today’s world, I've personally found myself caught up in the messaging of the "ideal" that bombards us through social media, the news, and advertising.

In fact, we’ve gotten so used to the perfect images we see on our screens, it’s totally skewed the way we see ourselves. According to PsychCentral, the impact of social media and advertising, and even the use of fun filters that change the way we look, impacts our ideals.

These ‘perfect’ images have even created something psychologists call “Snapchat” dysphoria. We’ve developed unrealistic views of beauty and wellness standards, creating dissatisfaction with our bodies and low self-esteem in many people regardless of age or gender.

I can’t say this enough, there is no one-size-fits-all definition of wellness. The constant pressure to meet an unattainable ideal can be overwhelming, leading to self-judgement and feelings of inadequacy.

Overcoming the Cycle of Unrealistic Resolutions

Life is busy, and finding time to implement the “ideal” can seem daunting. Juggling work, family, and everyday responsibilities can easily take precedence, causing our health and wellness goals to fall by the wayside.

It’s common to make resolutions and set goals, only to be derailed by the challenges of everyday life. This cycle can lead to feelings of frustration and a sense of hopelessness. The constant striving and self-judgment can be exhausting, leaving us questioning whether it's even worth trying.

An example of this is the setting of New Year’s resolutions. We generally come up with several abstract ideas of how we want to be better in the New Year. How we want to live healthier. How we’re going to go to the gym every day. How we are cutting out all junk food and finally losing all that weight.

According to Forbes Health the most popular areas of resolutions were improved fitness, mental health, weight loss and finances. And, over 50% of resolutions don’t last past March.

Embracing a Growth Mindset for Lasting Change

Despite the obstacles, it’s important to remember that change is possible. Implementing change can seem daunting, especially when past attempts have ended in perceived failure. It's crucial to recognize that these experiences provide valuable feedback and lessons for us. This is called a growth mindset approach, something that I embrace myself.

This is something I’ll talk about much more, but for now… with a fixed mindset, a person looks a failure as the end of the road. They get discouraged and give up.

Developing a growth mindset helps us to see those failures for what they are, a learning experience. We can learn to develop internal motivation through the challenge of learning, growing, and finding what does work.

Nurturing Yourself: A Personalized Approach to Wellness

By embracing a personalized approach to wellness, you can begin to make meaningful changes that align with your unique needs and lifestyle. It's not about striving for an unattainable ideal; rather, it's about nurturing yourself in a way that feels authentic and sustainable.

Small Changes, Significant Improvements: The Power of Consistency

As you embark on this transformative journey, it's crucial to approach it with self-compassion and patience. Change takes time, and it's okay to progress at your own pace. Small, consistent steps can lead to significant improvements in your overall well-being.

Redefining Wellness is a Journey NOT a Destination

I encourage you to explore various aspects of wellness and discover what resonates with you. Whether it’s incorporating mindfulness practices into your daily routine, exploring new forms of physical activity, or nurturing your relationships, there are countless ways to enhance your holistic wellness.

Remember, wellness is not a destination but a continuous, evolving process. By cultivating a positive and nurturing relationship with yourself, you can lay the foundation for lasting wellbeing.

I’m here to support and guide you as you navigate your wellness journey. Together we can redefine health and wellness in a way that honors your individuality and empowers you to thrive in all aspects of your life.

But how you ask: Wellness is Personal, Make Small Changes

It’s about providing you with tools to nurture your complete well-being – whatever that means specifically for you and your stage of life. Only you can define that in this moment, wellness is personal!

Even when you feel like you don’t know what to do. Even when the things that worked in the past aren’t even available to you right now, the answer is inside you.

Listen and Accept

When we listen to our inner wisdom, and accept where and how we are in our lives, in our bodies, minds, and emotional and spiritual states, we can craft the most personalized path forward.

What’s the one area in your life, that by just committing to one small step, you can bring about major change… a ripple effect.

Then, focus on the small, individual victories, and celebrate them. Continue to build manageable habits and routines, one at a time, that support and nourish you. This is the crux of change, not the overarching, broad resolutions.

Increased Harmony: The Payoff

Bringing increased harmony to our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being has tremendous benefits, and it starts with small steps. It allows you to feel your best and truly thrive. Imbalance in just one area can negatively impact overall health.

What Now: What’s Your One Thing?

Remember, wellness is personal, make small changes that work for you. Identifying and focusing on that one area that most needs your attention, and taking those small steps to move even a bit closer to balance helps you cultivate wellness from the inside out. It gives you back your POWER.

Ask yourself right now… what’s your one thing? What is something that you can commit 10 minutes to on most days? What small change would have the most impact on your life? What would change your perspective or give you a feeling of power over your

circumstances?

Gift Yourself 10 Minutes A Day

Then let’s set a goal and commit 10 minutes to ourselves, for the next week, two weeks, 21 days, 30 days. Whatever you feel you can commit to without feeling overwhelmed.

Commit to yourself and share your commitment here.