Morning Moon as Wellness Check
Every morning, there’s a small debate. Morning hours feel precious — the only time I can get a head start on the day before the kids come downstairs. Taking a walk can feel like a luxury I tell myself I can’t always afford. But this morning, I clipped Charlie’s leash and chose the walk over my laptop.
Charlie, a headstrong pug, isn’t always open to suggestion — often so determined to go his own way in his own time that I’ve had to scoop him up like a toddler and carry him home. But this morning, with it being extra early, I let him set the pace— a lucky day for him.
During one of my dog’s many sniffing investigations this morning, I glanced up — maybe 45 degrees — and noticed the moon. Steady, bright, hanging there in the darkest part of the early sky. I found myself connecting to the steady farawayness of it which seemed to spark a surprising internal okayness — a sharp contrast to my usual morning revving. Amidst 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.
“Every small choice is a vote for the version of yourself that is well.”
These days, we’re constantly bombarded by ads, influencers, and headlines telling us about the latest product or “hack” to restore our energy and happiness. 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.
From Jen Sincero’s You Are A Badass:
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
Maybe your own version of a wellness check looks different — feeling the warmth of the coffee cup in your hand, intentionally letting your shoulders relax in the car before heading into work, a deep breath before the next hard thing. These tiny moments can remind us: I’m here. I’m okay.
Maybe start by asking yourself: How am I right now? Am I safe? What would help me feel a little more alive today?
It might be a walk around the block, a tiny nap, tidying your desk, eating lunch with others. These simple actions aren’t monumental, but they’re intentional and that makes them count.
Walking with Support
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 discover what wellness means for them. Janet believes that wellness is innate in all of us and helps people find a balanced, realistic approach to 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?
