You know those days where everything is set up to go smoothly—and then somehow, nothing does? Yeah. I just had another one of those mornings.

I had my water bottle prepped. I had my essential oils right there on the kitchen counter—Peppermint for focus, Citrus Fresh for a mood lift. My to-do list was written out the night before (a rare win!). But instead of starting my day with intention and clarity, I stood in the kitchen watching videos about productivity hacks while the diffuser sat there... bone dry.

I knew exactly what would help me feel better. So why couldn’t I just do the thing? And how does one little deviation from my morning routine throw me so totally off track for the rest of the day?

Well, I didn’t plan on breaking my right wrist in several places, but here we are. If life is about learning, then let’s just say I’ve been given a crash course in left-handed survival. 

How's it going, you ask? Let’s just say Stress Away and Valor have been in heavy diffuser rotation in recent days—especially when I drop the peanut butter jar trying to open it one-handed. But as much as I’d love to sit here and complain to you about how hard it is to apply peanut butter to toast with my non-dominant hand, I’ve decided instead to take this as an unexpected opportunity to grow—because apparently, forcing your brain to do things differently has some serious perks. Who knew?

When I was younger, I had this vision of what life would look like by now. I’d be effortlessly successful, totally put-together, and somehow still look 25—but better. My house would belong in a magazine, my life plan would be rock solid, and I’d be one of those people who just knew what they were doing all the time.

Fast-forward to today, and… well, let’s just say reality had other plans. Turns out, some of the things I thought would be important don’t actually matter at all. And the things that do? Yeah, I never saw those coming...

Navigating the world of wellness can often feel overwhelming with the sheer volume of information pushing us toward a healthier lifestyle. The real challenge isn’t a lack of information but rather the inundation of advice on what to do for optimal health. Wellness isn't about reaching perfection or jumping onto every health trend—it’s about gradual, manageable integration of beneficial practices into your daily life, one small step at a time.

Start by embracing simple changes that won’t disrupt your routine entirely. From stepping outside in the morning to regulate your circadian rhythm to slowly switching out household products for toxin-free alternatives, these shifts can make a significant impact over time. Remember that wellness is a journey, not a destination; prioritize steps that fit into your life and evolve naturally.

For those seeking guidance on where to begin, consider conducting a simple wellness audit to identify key areas for improvement. By making conscious choices, such as focusing on rest and stress management and exploring essential oil alternatives for artificial fragrances, you'll be on your way to a healthier lifestyle that’s both achievable and sustainable. Each small change contributes to a bigger transformation, so take action today and see how these shifts can enhance your well-being.

Grief is not a singular event to be overcome, but a continuous process that reverberates through our daily lives. Each day brings new reminders and a fresh sense of loss as the realization that our loved ones are gone resurfaces repeatedly. This journey is a relentless cycle, where grief emerges unexpectedly, echoing with the memories and emotions tied to the ones we've lost.

Navigating grief is about learning to live with these recurring waves rather than overcoming them. It highlights the importance of allowing ourselves to feel and accept this perpetual grief, acknowledging that there is no timeline or conclusion. The weight of loss may vary each day, but nurturing the capacity to stay afloat is a testament to both our resilience and the enduring impact of our memories and love.

Embracing grief also means honoring the love and memories we continue to hold. Through each wave of sorrow, we find a reflection of the profound connections we have known, reinforcing that such bonds, although transformed by grief, remain steadfast. As we journey through this shared experience of loss, extending compassion to ourselves and others becomes crucial, offering a reminder that we are not alone on this path.