On paper, I’m a nutrition consultant. But what you don’t know is that wellness used to control my life. It dictated what I ate, how I moved, and even how I measured my worth.
Fast-forward a decade, and I’ve realized something important: the very routines meant to keep us grounded can quietly become the problem.
For years, I thought I was disciplined. In reality, I was micromanaging my well-being to the point of exhaustion. My “discipline” was just control in disguise. And slowly, it stripped away my joy.
Part personal story, part cautionary tale, this piece is about how I finally found a version of wellness rooted in flexibility, ease, and trust.
Where It All Began
My health journey started innocently enough. In my early 20s, I discovered yoga sculpt—heated yoga with weights—and started going every day. I was juggling heartbreak, college classes, a part-time job, and sorority life.
Then I stumbled upon “healthy living” blogs that preached the dangers of gluten, dairy, and sugar. So I cut them out overnight.
From the outside, it looked like dedication. Inside, it was obsession.
The Label Trap
What still bothers me is how often we’re told we need a label to feel legitimate—vegan, paleo, gluten-free, keto, dairy-free, you name it.
But health isn’t a label. It’s a relationship—one built on flexibility, curiosity, and self-awareness.
Mastering wellness isn’t the goal. Feeling at home in your body is. Because when you stop chasing trends and start choosing what actually feels good to you, that’s when real wellness begins.
When Wellness Starts to Feel Like a Job
It took me years to see how the pursuit of “health” was quietly draining me.
I felt guilty if I skipped a workout, anxious if I ate dessert, and frustrated if I didn’t hit my step count. I thought structure meant success—but what I really craved was ease.
Discipline has value—it builds consistency and confidence—but when it becomes rigid, it stops serving us.
True well-being doesn’t come from control. It comes from listening more and forcing less.
The Comparison Trap
Social media doesn’t make it easier. The internet is full of flawless morning routines, spotless fridges, and curated “What I Eat in a Day” videos.
It’s easy to think wellness has to look tidy, predictable, and perfect. But unless you acknowledge your unique rhythms and needs, those routines can become more of a burden than a benefit.
Wellness isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula—it’s a practice. And it has to evolve with you.
Learning to Loosen the Grip
So how did I let go? I started asking myself questions like:
- Does this feel supportive or restrictive?
- Am I making this choice from trust or fear?
- Am I honoring my body, or pushing against it?
Little by little, I began to soften. I approached exercise with empowerment instead of punishment. Food became fuel. I swapped “I have to” for “I get to.”
Suddenly, wellness felt joyful again. Now, I approach my habits as a rhythm, not a checklist.
Flexibility is health. Structure and spontaneity can coexist.
Reflection Prompts
If your current wellness routine feels too rigid, try asking:
- Am I choosing this routine from self-trust—or fear of not being enough?
- What would wellness look like if it came from curiosity, not control?
- Are my habits honoring today’s needs, or someone else’s expectations?
A few honest questions can bring powerful clarity. Our bodies are always speaking—we just need to slow down long enough to listen.
What Wellness Looks Like for Me Now
These days, I still love my rituals—but I hold them lightly.
I meal plan for convenience, not control.
I move because it feels good, not to earn food or approval.
I take supplements that support my needs, not because they’re trending.
And most importantly, I rest. I eat the pizza. I skip the HIIT class. I live my life without grading every choice.
Here’s the irony: I feel healthier now than I ever did when I was chasing perfection.
A Gentle Reminder
If your wellness routine has started to feel heavy, you’re not failing.
Most of us have to unlearn the idea that health is earned through rigidity. You don’t need to earn your worth through discipline, and you don’t need a label to belong.
Wellness should expand your life, not shrink it.
So here’s your invitation: soften the rules. Add more joy. Trust your body. Let your routine evolve with you.
Because the healthiest thing you can do might just be letting go.
