Morning Moon as Wellness Check
Every morning, before anyone’s awake, there’s a small debate: walk or work. These early hours are some of my most precious and productive — and tension always seems to grip me, no matter what I decide. This morning, barely dawn, with Charlie staring me down, I closed the laptop and clipped on his leash. Even as we stepped outside, the air noticeably cooler, the distraction of the day’s work didn’t immediately dissolve.
Charlie is headstrong — not always open to suggestion — and often so determined to set his own course that I’ve had to scoop him up like a toddler and carry him home. Time is a construct, he seems to remind me.
It is easier though to surrender to your dog’s whims when the neighborhood is still asleep. At one of Charlie’s extended sniffings, I glanced up and noticed the moon. Steady, bright, hanging there in the darkest part of the early sky. I found myself connecting to its silent, steady farawayness, and it surprised me how it smoothed me over. Amid the pressure I’ve been carrying lately, I could say to myself: Of all the places to be in the world, I’m here, safe, and okay. (It later occured to me that moon = brainspot. I’ll write about that another time.)
Can we all pause for a moment, be with ourselves and our surroundings, and acknowledge that nothing has taken us out yet? It’s worth celebrating, yes? Poet Lucille Clifton writes,
“come celebrate
with me that everyday
something has tried to kill me
and has failed.”
Some days the thing trying to beat us is big and external — grief, illness, injustice. Other days, it’s the quiet weight of our own expectations. But we’re still here, and we’re still kickin.
Beyond “Are You Alive?”
A wellness check usually just means a quick visit to make sure someone’s safe — alive and not in danger. And sometimes that’s exactly what we need. But wellness, in the fuller sense, is so much more than survival.
These days, we’re constantly bombarded by ads, influencers, and headlines telling us about the latest product or hack to restore our energy and joy. There’s an endless stream of promises — the thing that will finally return us to wellness. I’ve lingered on those ads. I’ve added to cart.
But when I slow down enough to notice, I realize that the foundation for my wellness is much more ordinary — and much more available.
Habits, Mindset, and Identity
James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, writes, “The quality of your life depends on the quality of your habits.” I love this reminder that wellness isn’t just something we chase — it’s something we practice.
“Every small choice is a vote for the version of yourself that is well.”
Another favorite of his: “Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your new identity.”
Every time we make a small, life-giving choice — texting back a friend, paying the bill we’ve been avoiding, putting the phone away an hour before bed — we’re casting a vote for a version of ourselves that’s well. Over time, those votes add up.
I also think that wellness isn’t just about what we do, but about who we believe ourselves to be. When we start seeing ourselves as someone who’s worthy of care, we’re more likely to make the choices that support that care.
A Simple Invitation
If each small choice acts as a vote for the person we are becoming, then maybe being well starts with simply noticing, How am I right now?
—Jen Sincero
Not great? A little rough? That’s okay — now that you’ve noticed, your goal is to choose one thing, however small, that moves your needle in the direction of the person you want to be, of the person you already are.
Maybe it’s sticking your face into the steam of your mint tea, letting your shoulders drop before heading into work, or taking one deep breath before unloading the dishwasher. Maybe it’s a quick nap, a cold rinse, asking Alexa to play Van Halen, or eating your lunch on a park bench with birds — lots of birds.
These moments aren’t dramatic, but they’re intentional. And every time we choose one, we’re casting another quiet vote for a life that feels more even and whole.
Your Own Personal Wellness Guide
At Heart Stone Counseling, we’re excited to welcome Janet Steady — a registered dietitian and nutritionist, yoga teacher, and someone with over thirty years of experience helping people determine what wellness means for them. Janet believes that wellness is innate in all of us and she helps people find a balanced, realistic version of caring for themselves. She’s a thoughtful, encouraging guide who can help you return to the basics — nutrition, sleep, movement, and connection — and make small changes that support lasting emotional health and wellbeing.
When I stepped back inside this morning, the sky was still very blue, the moon still steady. Nothing had changed — except me. And maybe that’s what wellness really is: a quiet shift inside, a reminder that we can choose small actions again and again.
Curious about Wellness Coaching?
Meet Janet Steady MS, RDN and see how she can help you create a balanced, sustainable approach to caring for yourself.
P.S. Wanna meet the non-cooperative pug who inspired this post?
