What the F*** Does "Wellness" mean?

The term "wellness", somehow conjures images of some posh spa in the Swiss Alps, all pristine and expensive. Haha!

The irony, I suppose, is that I am technically in the "wellness industry." I play the gong, I've taught journaling courses, I have been practicing yoga for decades, and believe in what I call 'soul' medicine.

But here’s the thing: I think "wellness" is far deeper and individual than booking a massage and a facial.

Wellness has to meet you exactly where you are, right now. If you’re in high spirits, its about unapologetically going for it. If you're in a low, it's about being there, trusting that you have a toolkit to help navigate it, knowing, just like that old AA phrase, that 'this too shall pass.'

The dictionary defines wellness as ‘an active, conscious, and continuous process of making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life.’ I'm not sure I'm a fan of that definition either. For me, wellness is a labyrinth of messy, very individual paths leading to self-acceptance

This word has been so overused for commercial purposes that it has lost its true meaning. Nevertheless, there is something profound there. We all strive to be ‘well,’ and while we might get confused along the way by external ideas, in the end, it’s simply the process of learning. Learning about oneself, learning about "The great unknown that I am, and always will be, to myself" (Octavio Paz).

So, What is wellness for you?