How I found balance by letting go
By Edie Horstman | Published: 2025-10-16 10:00:00 | Source: Camille Styles
On paper, I am Nutrition consultant. But what you don’t know is that wellness has been controlling my life. He dictated what I ate, how I moved, and even how I measured my worth. A decade later, I realize that the very routines meant to keep us grounded can quietly become the problem. For years, I convinced myself that I was disciplined. In fact, I was micromanaging my well-being to the point of exhaustion. My “discipline” was really just control in disguise. Slowly, it stripped me of my joy. Part personal story, part cautionary tale, this piece is about how I finally found a version of wellness rooted in flexibility and ease.
Where it all started
My health journey began innocently enough. In my early twenties, I discovered yoga (hot yoga with weights), and I would go to it every day. At the same time, I was dealing with heartbreak, college classes, a part-time job, and everything else that comes with being in a sorority. I’ve found adding fuel to the fire Healthy Living Blogs.. Steeped in diet culture, I’m told that gluten, dairy, and sugar are everything Infections to Toxic. So, naturally, I cut them off. Overnight, I started chasing the narrow version of wellness I saw online. From the outside, it looked like dedication. Inside, it was an obsession.
Naming trap
I’ve come a long way since then, but what still bothers me is how often we’re told we need a label to feel legitimate (regardless of allergies and medical conditions). vegetable. Paleo. gluten free. Dairy free. Keto. etc. But health is not a label. It’s a relationship You build with yourself. One – ideally – rooted in resilience and vibrant individuality.
Ultimately, mastering wellness is not the goal. It’s to feel at home In your body. Because when you finally stop chasing trends and start choosing what truly works for you, that’s when true wellness begins.
Health is not a label. It’s a relationship You build with yourself.
When wellness starts to feel like a job
It took me years to notice how The pursuit of health It was quietly draining me. I would feel guilty if I skipped a workout, anxious if I ate sweets, and frustrated if I couldn’t get my steps in. I thought organization meant success, but what I really craved was ease. Discipline has value (it builds consistency and confidence!), but when it becomes rigid, it ceases to serve us. True well-being does not come from control. It comes from listening more and forcing less.
The comparison trap
Unfortunately, social media doesn’t make this any easier. The internet is full of flawless morning routines, spotless refrigerators, and carefully curated “what I eat in a day” videos. “It’s easy to think that wellness should seem neat, predictable, and perfect. But unless you acknowledge your unique needs and rhythms, these routines can become more of a burden than a benefit. In other words, wellness isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula. It’s a practice, and it should evolve with you.”
Learn to loosen your grip
So how do I relax my grip? I started asking myself these questions: Does this seem supportive or restrictive? Am I making this choice out of trust or fear? Do I honor my body or stress it? Little by little, I started to let go. I started approaching exercise from a place of empowerment. Food becomes the fuel for building muscle. Most importantly, I replaced “I have to” with “I have to.” Suddenly, wellness began to feel joyful again. Now, I treat my habits as rhythm. Not a checklist. Remember, resilience is health. Structure and spontaneity He can coexistence.
Reflection prompts
If your current health routine seems too strict, try asking:
- Do I choose my routine out of self-confidence or out of fear of not being enough?
- What would wellness look like if it came from curiosity, not control?
- Are my habits meeting my needs today or someone else’s expectations?
Don’t underestimate the amount of clarity a few honest questions can provide.
Taking the time to ask yourself these questions is the first step in self-control. When you slow down and listen, you begin to notice what your body is trying to tell you (beyond rules, routines, and “shoulds”).
Our bodies are constantly talking to us, but they need space to hear them. They tell us when we’re tired, hungry, overstimulated, or craving connection. But when we focus our attention on external plans, we ignore that wisdom. Instead of outsourcing your intuition to an influencer or “health expert,” remember that your body is your best expert You.
What does wellness look like to me now
These days, I still love my rituals, but I stick to them lightly. I plan meals for convenience, not control. I move because it feels good, not to gain food or approval. I take tailored supplements that truly support my deficiencies, not because they’re trendy. Most importantly, I allow myself to rest. To enjoy pizza. To skip a HIIT class. To live my life without constantly evaluating my choices. Here’s the paradox: I feel healthier now Than I ever did when I was chasing perfection.
a friendly reminder
If your wellness routine is starting to feel overwhelming, you’re not failing. Most of us have to abandon the idea that health is gained through toughness. You don’t need to earn your worth through discipline, and you don’t need a title to belong. Wellness should expand your life, not shrink it. So here’s your call: relax the rules. Add more joy. Trust your body. Let your routine evolve with you. Because the healthiest thing you can do is let go.
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