I Failed at Wellness and Discovered Its Real Meaning

Real Wellness Fails, Wins & What's Coming Next for Exploring Ways to Wellness

Welcome back to Season 2 of Exploring Ways to Wellness! Host Sarah returns with honest reflections on her wellness journey during the podcast break - spoiler alert: she didn't become a zen goddess, and that's exactly the point.

Discover how small, sustainable wellness practices can transform your daily life without requiring a complete lifestyle overhaul. Sarah shares her real wins with EFT tapping, mindful shower routines, and the unexpected wellness benefits of learning crochet and prioritising genuine connections.

This Episode Covers:

• Why "failing" at wellness commitments led to better results
• Simple EFT techniques that fit into morning routines
• How cultural wellness practices like Danish Hygge and Swedish Fika can enhance daily life
• The revolutionary act of discovering what genuinely makes YOU feel good
• Forest bathing and nature-based wellness (no special equipment needed)
• Why collective wellness experiences amplify individual benefits

Coming This Season:

• Reiki energy healing with Karen
• Homeopathy real-life results with Sarah
• Laughter Yoga with Noreen
• And many more authentic wellness conversations

Perfect for wellness seekers, mindfulness beginners, EFT practitioners, and anyone tired of perfectionist wellness culture. No sales pitches, no guilt - just real people sharing real experiences.

Thanks for listening.

Transcript

Hello and welcome back to Exploring Ways to Wellness! I'm Sarah, and if you're new here, welcome to our little corner of authentic wellness conversations - where real people share real experiences, zero judgment included. And if you've been with me since Season 1 - thank you for coming back!

You know, I thought this season opener was going to be me triumphantly announcing how I'd mastered every single technique from Season 1. How I'd become this zen wellness goddess who wakes up at 5am to meditate, gratitude journals while doing Qigong, and ends each day with a cold water swim.

Well... that's not exactly what happened. And honestly? I think that's the most valuable story I could share with you today - especially if you're tired of wellness advice that requires a complete lifestyle overhaul.

The "Failure" That Wasn't

Let me start with a confession: I "failed" at my Season 1 commitments. There, I said it. Life got in the way - not in a dramatic, terrible way, but in that beautifully messy, gloriously human way that life always does.

If you're someone who's tried traditional stress management and found it's not quite cutting it anymore, you'll appreciate this: maybe the goal was never to become a perfect wellness warrior. Maybe it was always about something more subtle, more sustainable, and honestly, more interesting.

What Actually Happened - The Micro-Wins

Instead of the grand transformation I planned, something quieter happened. I started noticing things. In just those small moments of awareness, I discovered techniques that actually fit into my real life - no expensive equipment, no perfect conditions required.

Take my shower routine - I'd always enjoyed listening to music, sung or hummed a bit, but now I'm conscious about my music choices. I notice how different songs make me feel. I allow myself to really let go and enjoy those moments. It sounds simple, but there's something profound about bringing awareness to these everyday rituals.

And EFT - now, this is embarrassing because I'm literally a certified and accredited practitioner! But like the social media manager who never posts on their own accounts (also me back in the day), I'd fallen out of my personal practice. So I created a trigger: while applying face cream each morning, I tap the acupressure points around my eyes and than would lead me into a full round of EFT. That simple act has become a gateway - it reminds me to check in with my thoughts, which leads to journaling, which sometimes leads to meditation or more tapping when journalling has brought something up that needs addressing or I need grounding.

But here's what really surprised me during our break: some of my biggest wellness wins had nothing to do with specific practices at all. I found myself consciously prioritizing time with my family - really being present during conversations, choosing connection over productivity. Thanks to a good friend on a rainy trip to Portugal, I learnt crochet, something I'd never tried before, and discovered how meditative and satisfying it is to create something with my hands. I've been reconnecting with friends over coffee, those unhurried conversations that leave you feeling genuinely fulfilled.

Each of these activities fills me with joy and positive energy that I can actually draw on when more difficult situations arise. And here's the thing - none of them required a guru, a course, or special equipment. They're wellness practices hiding in plain sight, available to anyone willing to notice what genuinely makes them feel good.

The ripple effect has been remarkable. These small moments of intentionality are creating space for bigger insights to emerge.

The Real Success Stories

One of the most exciting developments? After sharing Millie's cold water swimming episode, a few friends reached out saying they'd love to try it so I'm actually considering organizing a group wild swimming adventure this summer. From podcast episode to real-life community experience - I never saw that coming! In fact I’m joining hundreds of people who are quietly experimenting with these practices, creating their own ripple effects.

I also found a local Qigong workshop after Lindsay's conversation reminded me how much I missed gentle movement practices. It was fascinating learning more about this practice and the mental and physical benefits I experienced as a result. For example, I was a bit worried it may aggravate elbow pain that was not responding to physio. I was shocked at the end to find I was pain free after so long of putting up with it. I will be looking for local or online classes to continue that. 

So this has journey shown to me that the best part of creating this podcast isn't just the conversations - it's how they continue to influence my choices weeks and months later and I encourage you to consider doing the same.

This is exactly what listeners tell me happens - seeds get planted, then months later something clicks and they find themselves booking that first massage, trying breathwork, or simply humming with more intention.

The Human Truth About Wellness

Here's another thing I noticed and something nobody talks about enough: sometimes we consciously choose NOT to reach for our wellness tools. I've had those days where I could have done breathwork or tapping or gratitude practice, but instead chose to … wallow. Maybe it was hormones, maybe circumstance, maybe just needing permission to feel whatever I was feeling. And you know what? That's human too. The difference now is awareness. Was it wallowing or honouring my feelings… Allowing myself to feel them and process them rather than shutting down or ignoring and pushing through. I notice when I'm sliding, I've noticed the impact on those around me and I think a big change has been that I've developed the trust to know that when I'm ready, I have tools waiting for me. I don't need to allow myself to slip further down, repeat dark experiences of the past – when I am ready I can return to a healthier balance. Sometimes the wellness is in recognising and appreciating where you are, even in the dark times, not forcing where you think you should be. Importantly it is also feeling safe to take the next step – let the feelings move through and move on – choose to heal and take the action to do that. It’s definitely one of the things that attracted me to EFT (or tapping) – not hiding from feelings (which then have the opportunity to overwhelm and bubble over) but gently discovering why they are happening, without reliving past experiences but acknowledging things that have happened in a safe way, creeping up on them and clearing them so they no longer have that hold over you.  Whatever you have in your wellness toolbox to draw on when things get tough, it’s good to know you can move forward even if sometimes it takes a gentle nudge/ little reminder to use them. We can have control and the ability to choose.

Why This Journey Matters More Than Ever

You may be getting more of a sense that this is quite a personal journey as well as me having sensed I’m not the only one who may appreciate hearing about ways to wellness. If you hadn’t realised already , creating this podcast isn't about building an empire or becoming an influencer. This is a passion project born from a simple belief: there are so many ways to feel better, and most of us don't even know they exist or think they are for other people. If it leads to something more then great, and I have ideas but this podcast is here as a free resource for you to dip into whenever you choose.

But let me pause here for a moment to talk about how I define wellness - because I think this is important. For me, wellness isn't about perfect green smoothies or expensive retreats. It's about finding what genuinely nourishes you - mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually - and having the awareness to choose and prioritise those things more often.

What fascinates me is how different cultures have woven wellness into daily life in ways that feel natural, not forced.

Last year I went to Denmark, continuously ranked as one of the world’s happiest countries - and they have "hygge" (hue-guh) - finding coziness and contentment in simple pleasures which might be snuggling up with a good book in front of a fire or enjoying a hearty meal with old friends for example. I believe it is really about a feeling, enjoying slowing down, indulging, rewinding that envelopes you in a positive atmosphere creating a feeling of wellness. 

On the same trip I experienced the concept of Fika (fee_ka) in Sweden which put the importance of slowing down and prioritising social interaction at its core. Calm and positive feelings result from these moments purposefully carved out in their otherwise busy lives. The coffee and cinnamon buns accompanying these sessions is probably what first attracted me but as I found in the last couple of months, you can’t put a price on the feeling of wellness achieved by catching up with good friends. Why shouldn’t that be a regular practice. In fact I have heard that some companies in Sweden actually have a clause in their contracts that says their employees are entitled to fika breaks. 

I’m planning to go to Japan next year and look forward to learning more about the Japanese concept of "ikigai" focuses on finding purpose and joy in daily life. Finding what you love, your meaning for life and nurturing every aspect of self to include passion, mission, profession and vocation, then embracing the joy that gives you. As I am mid-life I don’t think I am the only one who sometimes questions their purpose and value (esp in low moments) and has the uneasy feeling of not being able to define it. There are so many tools and courses online to help you find your purpose and I think the recent popularity of human design probably taps into this quite nicely as a way to help understand a piece of the puzzle. There is something very powerful though in living in alignment with passion as well as skills that meet societal as well as personal need and the feeling of fulfilment that comes with that.  

Another wellness technique shared in Scandinavia, Japan and I believe Switzerland is appreciating the importance of spending time in nature, forest bathing or Shinrin-Yoku. Boosting wellness through a calming nature based experience. In fact we enjoyed the Right of Public Access in Sweden while kayaking the archipelago near Stockholm last year.  The freedom to roam meant we could just pull up the kayaks on any small island and enjoy a picnic or wander (provided we stayed away from any houses). As the Japanese have found there are physical as well as psychological benefits to forest bathing including reducing blood pressure and stress hormones as well as improving sleep. In fact it’s actually been found that trees release chemicals that have a protective microbial effect on humans and therefore boost immune function! Such are the benefits the Japanese introduced shinrin-yoku (shindin yoku) as a national health programme. 

Of course, you don’t need to live near a forest to benefit from enjoying a natural outside environment. My parents have always been keen gardeners, and I have got older I appreciate the opportunity to enjoy time in my own garden. Even a few minutes with a cuppa between meetings can be all it takes to reset. In the UK many have access to beautiful parks or walks too but it’s more than just being there – it’s consciously taking in the sights, sounds, smells, touch – a multi sensory experience if you allow it to. Tech distractions left to one side. Slowing down. Noticing. Appreciating. Just as the mindful techniques in season 1 described.  I see that Forestry England and National Trust have guides to forest bathing available online. 

It has been clear from some of these examples, several of the season 1 episodes, and my own experiences that effects on wellness can be amplified through collective experiences so why does self-care often seem to have such individualistic and self indulgent connotations? Somehow in my culture, and I am speaking from personal observation here as someone from the UK, it feels like we've made wellness feel complicated, expensive, often guilt-inducing and sometimes isolating. We've turned it into another thing to perfect rather than a way of being that feels good. There is also such a big industry around selling us things that propose to help us discover ourselves and create joy when maybe some time for introspection and recognition of the simple things that generate desirable feelings are what is necessary. Ultimately, we want to feel a certain way rather than have a certain thing and marketing and branding are good at tapping into that. I think we could learn a lot from our neighbours and thanks to some incredible coaches, guides and practitioners as part of our beautiful interwoven world collective of knowledge. We have the ability to draw inspiration, learn and practice at home rather than having to travel to find them. And for getting to the root causes of what is negatively affecting our wellness there are also a whole host of things we can try to find the right solution for us and accredited practitioners to help us.  Realising there is a problem is sometimes the hardest step but it is comforting to then know there are techniques and people out there who can help.

In a world constantly stealing our attention from ourselves and those we love, in a culture of doom-scrolling and comparison, I've realized how radical it can be to simply explore what makes us feel good. Not what we should feel good about, not what an advert tells us works for others, but what genuinely resonates with us. If you're skeptical about 'woo-woo' practices but curious enough to listen about different techniques, you're in good company here.

I've been journaling more since Season 1, and the reflection has been invaluable. There's so much noise telling us how to live, what to want, who to be. But what if we got really curious about our own inner wisdom? What if we experimented with practices that help us remember who we are beneath all that external input?

What's Coming in Season 2

I'm bursting with excitement about what's ahead and if you have been one of those who met me for a coffee recently you will know I am not exaggerating! Next week, you'll discover Karen’s experiences with reiki as we explore this gentle energy healing practice, that might be the missing piece you didn't know you were looking for.  Sarah has been open with her experiences of homeopathy and I am looking into diving into this often misunderstood approach with someone who's experienced real results • Then we're diving into a chat about how something as simple as laughter yoga can shift your entire perspective in just minutes and I can’t wait to share Noreen’s experiences. And there’s so much more - many of the conversations leave you with something practical you can try immediately. And that's just the beginning. Each guest has shared from their heart about real experiences that have genuinely transformed their lives. Some practices I've tried myself, others are completely new to me, but every conversation has left me feeling inspired and hopeful.

What sets these conversations apart? No sales pitches, no perfect morning routines, no guilt about what you're not doing. Just real people, real experiences, zero judgment.

An Invitation, Not a Prescription

Here's what I hope for you, whether you're a returning listener or just discovering us: I want you to feel permission. Permission to be curious. Permission to try things that might seem "alternative." Permission to reject things that don't resonate. Permission to be inconsistent in your wellness journey because that's how real humans actually live.

Maybe one episode will plant a seed that grows into something beautiful months later. Maybe you'll try something immediately and love it. Maybe you'll just enjoy eavesdropping on these conversations while you're walking the dog or doing dishes.

All of that is perfect.

The Real Measure of Success

I'm genuinely thrilled that I can add to positive content online and thinking that even one listener might draw inspiration from this podcast to make a change that feels good. That's success for me. Not download numbers or social media metrics, but the possibility that somewhere, someone is trying breathwork or soundbath for the first time, or booking their first Reiki session, or simply giving themselves permission to hum in the shower with full awareness and joy.

Because in a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, these small acts of self-care aren't selfish - they're revolutionary.

Closing

So welcome to Season 2! Whether you're here for the practical techniques, the inspiring stories, or just the company of fellow seekers who understand that wellness doesn't come in a one-size-fits-all package, I'm grateful you're along for the ride.

Hit subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts - trust me, you never know which episode might be the one that changes everything. These conversations have a way of finding you exactly when you need them most.

And remember - there are many paths to wellness, and yours doesn't have to look like anyone else's. You're not alone in wondering if there's something more than just "powering through."

Until next time, I'm Sarah, and I can't wait to explore more ways to wellness with you.