I Hate the Word ‘Wellness’
Look, I’ve been in this game for 20+ years. I’ve seen trends come and go. And honestly? I hate the word ‘wellness’. It’s become this vague, buzzwordy mess. But here’s the thing: I’m not gonna sit here and pretend I have all the answers. I’m just gonna tell you what I’ve seen, what’s worked, and what’s complete bollocks.
It was 2003, I was at a conference in Austin. A woman named Linda—let’s call her Linda—stood up and said, ‘Wellness is about balance.’ And I thought, ‘Oh great, another vague statement that means nothing.’
Which… yeah. Fair enough. But here’s the thing: Linda was onto something. It’s just… yeah. Balance is important. But it’s not that simple.
My Body, My Worst Enemy
Let me tell you about my committment to fitness. Or rather, my lack thereof. I used to be that guy who thought running a 10k was the pinnacle of physicaly achievement. Then I hurt my knee. And that was that. Now? I’m lucky if I can manage a brisk walk around the block.
But here’s the thing: I’m okay with that. I’ve accepted that my body has its limits. And that’s okay. It’s not about pushing yourself to the brink. It’s about finding what works for you. And that’s something that the ‘wellness’ industry doesn’t want you to know.
My friend Marcus—let’s call him Marcus—he’s a personal trainer. I asked him about this once. He said, ‘People think they need to go all-in or nothing. But that’s not how it works.’ And he’s right. It’s not about being a gym rat or a couch potato. It’s about finding that middle ground.
Nutrition: The Big Scam
Now, let’s talk about nutrition. Oh boy, where do I start? The amount of misinformation out there is staggering. I mean, honestly, it’s a completeley different world than when I started out.
I remember sitting down with a colleague named Dave over coffee at the place on 5th. He was going on about some new diet he’d read about. ‘It’s gonna change everything,’ he said. I looked at him and said, ‘Dave, you said the same thing about keto. And paleo. And atkins. And…’
‘Okay, okay,’ he said. ‘But this one’s different.’
Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
Look, I’m not saying that there aren’t good diets out there. But the key is finding what works for you. And that’s something that the ‘wellness’ industry doesn’t want you to know. They want you to buy their products, their books, their seminars. They want you to think that they have the answer. But the truth is, they don’t.
And don’t even get me started on the celebrity style inspiration guide. I mean, seriously? You think that the secret to a healthy life is to dress like a celebrity? Give me a break.
But here’s the thing: I’m not saying that you shouldn’t take care of yourself. I’m just saying that you shouldn’t fall for the hype. Find what works for you. And if that means eating a big bowl of pasta every now and then, then so be it.
Mental Health: The Elephant in the Room
Now, let’s talk about mental health. This is something that’s been on my mind alot lately. I mean, it’s 2023 and we’re still not talking about this enough.
I remember a few years back, I was going through a tough time. I was stressed, anxious, and I didn’t know what to do. So I did what any self-respecting adult would do: I ignored it. I thought it would go away on its own. Spoiler alert: it didn’t.
It wasn’t until I talked to a friend—let’s call her Sarah—that I realized that I needed to do something about it. She told me, ‘You can’t just ignore it, you know. It’s not gonna go away on its own.’ And she was right.
So I started seeing a therapist. And it was the best decision I’ve ever made. I mean, it’s not like it’s fixed everything. But it’s helped. A lot. And that’s something that the ‘wellness’ industry doesn’t want you to know. They want you to think that you can just buy your way to happiness. But the truth is, it’s not that simple.
And that’s the thing about mental health. It’s not a quick fix. It’s not something that you can just buy. It’s a journey. And it’s a journey that’s different for everyone.
But here’s the thing: it’s a journey that’s worth taking. Because at the end of the day, your mental health is just as important as your physical health. And if you’re not taking care of it, then you’re doing yourself a disservice.
A Tangent: The ‘Wellness’ Industry’s Favorite Trick
Now, I wanna talk about something that’s been bugging me for a while. The ‘wellness’ industry’s favorite trick: making you think that you’re not doing enough.
I mean, seriously? You ever see those ads that say ‘You’re not doing enough’ or ‘You can do better’? It’s like they’re trying to make you feel bad about yourself. And it’s not just me. I’ve talked to alot of people about this. And they all say the same thing: it’s annoying.
But here’s the thing: it’s not just annoying. It’s manipulative. They’re trying to make you feel like you need to buy their products to be happy. And that’s not okay.
So here’s my advice: don’t fall for it. You’re doing enough. You’re doing great. And if anyone tells you otherwise, they’re just trying to sell you something.
So, What’s the Answer?
I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t. I mean, I’ve been in this game for 20+ years. And I still don’t have all the answers. But here’s what I do know: it’s not about finding the perfect diet, or the perfect workout, or the perfect mental health routine.
It’s about finding what works for you. And that’s something that the ‘wellness’ industry doesn’t want you to know. They want you to think that they have the answer. But the truth is, they don’t.
So here’s my advice: forget about the ‘wellness’ industry. Forget about the hype. Forget about the trends. Just find what works for you. And if that means eating a big bowl of pasta every now and then, then so be it.
Because at the end of the day, that’s what really matters. Not some celebrity style inspiration guide. Not some new diet. Not some new workout trend. Just you. And what works for you.
About the Author: I’m Jane, a senior magazine editor with 20+ years of experience. I’ve seen it all, and I’m not afraid to tell it like it is. I live in London with my cat, Mr. Whiskers, and I’m a firm believer in the power of a good cup of tea.