Why One Wellness Hack Isn’t Enough

(And Why the Real Work Happens Offline)

If you’ve ever scrolled past someone saying, “This one thing changed my life!”—you’re not alone.

Maybe it’s a nervous system practice. Maybe it’s a morning routine. Maybe it’s a new supplement, or an herbal tea, or a breathwork technique. And while those things can absolutely help, they’re rarely the full story.

Healing, recovering from burnout, or just feeling more like yourself again? It doesn’t come from one thing. It comes from a handful of small, intentional choices—done consistently over time.

And the hard truth? That real work doesn’t happen on your phone. It happens offline.

Let’s talk about why one “life-changing hack” isn’t enough—and how you can start gently building a life that actually supports your well-being, without trying to fix it all overnight.

The Problem with “This One Thing Fixed Everything” Promises

I’ve seen so many people online claim they’ve found the single key to feeling better—like there’s just one magic answer out there waiting for you.

I get it. I wanted it too.

During my own recovery, I absolutely fell into that mindset now and then. I’d think, Okay this is it—this is the thing that’s finally going to fix me. But even when something helped (and nervous system work did change everything for me), I’d still feel off. Like something was missing.

Because the truth is, there are multiple parts of you that need support. You’re not just a nervous system. You’re not just a digestive system. You’re not just a mindset.

You're a whole person. And real wellness happens when you support all the parts of you—not just one.

The Real Core of Wellness: It’s Not One Thing, It’s Many

Let’s break this down. In order to feel truly well—resilient, supported, and nourished—you need to nurture a few basic areas of your life. Not perfectly, but consistently.

Here are the macro areas that make a difference:

• Nervous System Support

Your nervous system is the foundation of how you experience safety, stress, and connection. If it’s been stuck in survival mode (fight, flight, freeze, or fawn), everything else becomes harder. 

Supporting your nervous system means helping your body feel safe again. That might look like somatic practices, breathwork, mindfulness, or simply slowing down. 

When you tend to your nervous system, your entire world softens. You start to feel grounded instead of panicked, clear instead of foggy. It’s not a quick fix—but it’s one of the most powerful shifts you can make.

• Nutrition & Hydration

What you eat (and drink) becomes the building blocks of your hormones, energy, gut health, and mood. And no, that doesn’t mean chasing a perfect diet.

It’s about giving your body consistent nourishment: whole foods, balanced blood sugar, enough protein, plenty of minerals, and staying hydrated. Even small upgrades—like adding more leafy greens, swapping ultra-processed snacks, or sipping herbal infusions—can make a big difference over time.

Nutrition doesn’t need to be complicated. Think of it as a steady way to say, “I’ve got you” to your body, every day.

•  Movement

Movement supports circulation, lymph flow, mood, metabolism, and even sleep quality. During burnout recovery, start gently—stretching, walking, dancing in your kitchen.

Then, when you’re ready, don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. Movement shouldn’t be punishment, but it also shouldn’t be permanently passive. Especially for women, strength training is powerful: it helps maintain bone density, supports hormone balance, and builds resilience as we age.

You don’t need to go all in right away. Just find movement that feels supportive—not depleting—and let it evolve as your energy returns. You’re stronger than you think.

If you’re easing back into movement, I shared how I reintroduced exercise during burnout recovery [here].

• Rest & Recovery

Rest is more than sleep (though sleep is huge). It’s also about letting your body and mind slow down, reset, and recharge.

There are actually seven types of rest—physical, mental, sensory, emotional, social, creative, and spiritual. If you’re constantly exhausted even after sleeping, chances are you’re missing one of them.

Learning to rest well can be just as important as eating well or exercising. Think of it as an active way to refuel—one that meets you where you are, not where you “should” be.
Rest is productive. Full stop.

• Community & Connection

We’re wired for connection. Even if you’re introverted, you need people who “get” you—who make you laugh, hold space for you, and remind you you’re not alone.

The tricky part? Burnout can make you want to withdraw from everyone. But meaningful connection is a core part of healing. Whether it’s deepening one friendship, joining a group, or just texting someone to say hi, it all counts.

Real community doesn’t have to be big—it just needs to feel safe, supportive, and reciprocal.
Let people in. You deserve it.

• Spirituality or Meaning

This isn’t about religion—unless you want it to be. It’s about feeling connected to something bigger than your to-do list. That might be nature, stillness, creativity, prayer, or purpose.

Spirituality helps anchor you when life feels chaotic. It offers comfort, clarity, and perspective. Even small moments—watching a sunrise, journaling your thoughts, expressing gratitude—can help you feel more rooted.

We all need meaning. We all need moments that remind us we’re part of something more. Find what speaks to you and make space for it.

• Creative or Intellectual Stimulation

Wellness isn’t just about calming down—it’s also about waking up parts of you that feel dull or disconnected. We all need beauty, curiosity, and inspiration to feel alive.

That might look like reading, sketching, dancing, learning something new, or solving puzzles. It doesn’t have to be impressive—it just needs to light you up.

Even ten minutes of creativity a day can remind you that life is about more than just getting through. Reignite your wonder. It’s part of your healing, too.

You don’t need to overhaul everything at once. But when even one of these is deeply neglected, it can throw everything else off.

And that’s why one tool—even a really good one—isn’t usually enough.

Social Media Can Inspire You, But It Can’t Heal You

Let’s gently call this out together: social media is not your wellness plan.

You can absolutely get ideas and inspiration from TikTok, Instagram, or Pinterest (hi 👋), but at some point, you have to step away from your screen and take action.

And I know that can be hard. Change is uncomfortable. Taking that first step when you’re already low on energy is the hardest part.

I’ve had so many of those moments where I knew what I should do—but I didn’t want to. It felt easier to stay home and scroll. Safer, even. But eventually I had to admit… scrolling wasn’t going to get me the life I actually wanted.

Real-Life Example: How I Built Community (Even When It Was Hard)

When I left Barcelona and went to Bali, I was craving community. I wanted people I had things in common with—friends who got it. But I was also tired. Like, really tired. And the thought of going to big social events felt overwhelming.

I had to choose between staying safe in my comfort zone (with Netflix and a book) or pushing myself just a little to go to events, talk to people, try something new.

Some events were amazing. Others were awkward and weird. But I kept trying. And eventually? I found beautiful friendships. It didn’t happen all at once, and it wasn’t always easy—but it was worth it.

If you're craving connection, I promise you're not alone. But the people you're hoping to meet? They're probably hoping to meet someone like you too.

You Don’t Have to Change Everything at Once

I know it can feel overwhelming when you realize how many areas of your life need attention. But you don’t need to do it all right now.

Start with just one.

Maybe that means adding a bit more protein and veggies to your meals this week. Maybe it’s going for a 10-minute walk every afternoon. Maybe it’s texting a friend and asking to grab tea sometime soon.

Then once that feels like part of your rhythm, add another. Bit by bit.

Small changes create big shifts when you stick with them. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s momentum.

Let Go of the Pressure to Have a Perfect Wellness Plan

Let your life be imperfect and human. Wellness isn’t about following a flawless plan or having the Pinterest-worthy routine. It’s about creating a life that feels like yours. One that feels soft, steady, supported.

Instead of asking “What should my life look like?”

Ask: “What do I want my life to feel like?”

If I want my life to feel light, soft, easeful, and fun—like a warm sunrise over a flower-filled meadow—then I can start working backwards from that.

That means:

• Feeling at ease in my body, even during quiet moments.

  → That means I practice breathwork or somatic grounding. I don’t fill every silent gap with noise. I take time to tune in.

  You can explore more on how I started calming my body and rebuilding safety [here].

• Being present with myself instead of running from hard emotions.

  → I prioritize joy and allow silliness. I wear clothes that feel good. I say no to things that drain me.

• Creating time for joy, stillness, softness, and connection.

  → That means I lift weights, drink mineral-rich infusions, and get enough sleep. I check in with myself when my brain fog rolls in.

  I shared some of my favorite nourishing blends [here] if you want to try mineral-rich teas.

Of course, there’s so much more to each of these. But I wanted to give you a starting point if you wanted to set your life up based on what you want it to feel like. 

Your version of that might be totally different than mine. And that’s the point! We’re all unique. You get to define what your “beautiful life” feels like—and then take small, real-world steps to create that.

Gentle Reflection: What Does Your Life Want to Feel Like?

Let’s get a little curious. Instead of chasing a life that looks good, ask yourself what you want it to feel like.

Here are a few gentle journaling prompts to help you figure that out:

• When I imagine my ideal life, what feelings are present?

• What makes me feel safe, supported, or nourished?

• What do I need more of in my daily life? (Peace? Play? Connection?)

• What’s one area I could start nurturing this week?

• What’s one tiny thing I could do today that brings me back to myself?

But here’s the important part:
Choose feelings that are within your control.

Wanting to feel “admired,” “validated,” or “appreciated” is totally human, but those rely on how others see you. And we can’t control that. Instead, go inward.

Try things like:

• I want to feel grounded

• I want to feel peaceful

• I want to feel energized

• I want to feel connected

• I want to feel playful

• I want to feel clear

Think: What would it feel like to be deeply nourished? What would it feel like to be safe, even when things are quiet? What would it feel like to enjoy your days more than you dread them?

Now try to name a few core feelings you want to experience more of. Write them down.

Remember: the goal isn’t to figure out everything right now. It’s to listen in. To start paying attention. And to take one small step from there.

Want Cozy Support for Your Nervous System?

If part of what you’re craving is more softness, calm, and ease—I’ve created something that might help.

My Tea & Herb Recipe Cards include gentle, beginner-friendly blends for nervous system support, stress relief, and digestion. They’re perfect if you want to start adding more intentional rituals into your days (without needing to be an herbal expert).

You can check them out [here].

Final Thoughts: Build a Life That Feels Good From the Inside Out

You don’t need to find the one perfect wellness trick that fixes everything.
You just need to start supporting yourself across a few key areas, one tiny action at a time.

So take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and remember: real healing happens offline, in the little ways you start showing up for yourself.

Start where you are. Move gently. And create a life that actually feels good to live.