Your wellness journey is meant to be a living, breathing exploration—not a performance you have to perfect. What if you experimented with holding your practices a little more lightly this week? What if you approached your choices with curiosity instead of obligation? What if you remembered that you are the dancer, not the dance steps?

Your purpose is like the compass guiding you through life, while your goals are the individual steps that move you in the direction of that greater purpose.

When you have a clear sense of purpose, your goals become more than just tasks to check off—they become meaningful, connected actions that align with your bigger vision.

Think of downshifting not as another item on your to-do list, but as an invitation to return to a more natural rhythm of life. 

Turns out, it’s not just writers who benefit from taking time to be creative. A Drexel University pilot study found coloring, doodling, and free drawing activate the reward pathways of the brain, which can help improve mental health and creativity for lots of folks.

Whether you're hitting the beach, going for a hike, or simply enjoying a picnic in the park, having a positive attitude toward your body and your health and wellness can make all the difference.

Author Jane McGonigal, in her book “SuperBetter: The Power of Living Gamefully,” writes that gamification of real-world goals can help us tap into strengths like creativity, focused attention, determination and optimism.