I just turned 33, and there’s something about a birthday that makes you reflect on your life so far. You tend to think about what you have done, what you want to do and how much time you have left to do it in, to name a few things.
I’ve been going through something recently. A transformational shift. I feel like the things that once mattered to me don’t matter as much anymore. My priorities are changing. I no longer want to do the same old stuff; my spirit of adventure and longing for new experiences has been very much reignited.
I’m entering my wellness girl era.
What does this mean? Quite simply, I’m swapping healthier habits and actions for the less healthy habits and actions I used to have.
Maybe it’s off the back end of the pandemic, maybe it’s because I’m getting older or maybe it’s just because I’m realising that another year has gone by and if I don’t take care of myself now then it could have detrimental effects in the future.
But basically, I want to do better and be better. I’m all about being healthy, well and happy, and setting goals that will help me to achieve this. And since the term “wellness girl era” is currently going viral on TikTok, clearly, other women in my age group are feeling the same way.
How do you know you’re in your wellness girl era, then? As someone who doesn’t have a doubt in the world that she’s in hers, let me tell you.
1. You’re Eating Healthier
As the old saying goes: “Your body is your temple” and if you’re like me, you want to stop putting junk food and processed meals in there that make you feel like sh*t. (You know what I mean: sluggish, brain foggy and generally sloth-like.)
Instead, you want to completely reassess your diet, cut down on the carbs and add in a few more leafy greens. Let’s face it, these leafy greens aren’t the most exciting food to eat but they make you feel amazing because of all those handy nutrients.
I recently introduced more protein into my daily intake and, as well as helping me to crave less carbs, it’s reduced my appetite because I’m fuller for longer. I also eat really well Monday to Friday and then use weekends to have the odd treat — and I feel so much better within myself and about myself.
2. You Have a Strict Exercise Regime
Going hand-in-hand with healthy eating are weekly workouts that you’re already undertaking (or want to) so you can improve your fitness and get in shape. If you’re in the “workout once and forget to work out again for days” club then I hear you, it’s hard when you have a full-time job, a home and other “adult” responsibilities. That said, sadly, you’re not going to feel and see results unless you have a consistent routine.
Since I started working out religiously three times a week and doing almost daily walks as part of my wellness girl era it’s been a revelation. Not only can I see my body changing when I look in the mirror, I feel so much more energised both physically and mentally.
Consistent workouts also really help my mental health like nothing else, which can often be a daily struggle.
3. You’re Cutting Down on the Booze
Speaking of mental health, another thing that I’m swearing by in my wellness girl era is reducing my alcohol intake. In my younger years, it used to be the case that I could drink multiple times a week in excess and still be able to function the next day.
Nowadays, every time I drink (even if it’s just a couple), I feel horrendous the next day. And I’m not just talking about the headaches, nausea and tiredness. I’m talking about the anxiety and mood dips — or “hangxiety” as it’s commonly known now.
The way I feel post-drinking rarely makes the drinking worth it to me anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for enjoying yourself on special occasions but I think my days of binge-drinking and “getting totally hammered” are over. That’s just me.
4. You’re Making Your House a Home
Another big part of your wellness girl era may be doing up your house as a project and creating a cosy home that serves as your own personal haven for relaxing and resetting.
Hubby and I moved into our first house together in January 2021 and we’re still adding bits. There’s nothing more we enjoy than coming home after a long, busy day and being greeted by a beautiful living space that we can’t wait to spend time in.
Oftentimes, we now opt to stay at home rather than go out (the cost of living crisis may have something to do with this!) because we both love being at home so much. Wellness girl era activated.
5. You’re All About Those Wholesome Activities
Dog walks, brunches with friends, Sunday lunches with family — wholesome activities are where it’s at for me these days. It’s about finding the biggest amount of joy in the little things to make every day more pleasurable.
I love an exciting event or trip away just as much as the next person, but I’ve learned that your everyday happiness is created through small frequent moments that you can orchestrate just by knowing what brings you joy. It’s often the simplest things in life that we can treasure the most, and you don’t have to spend a lot to embrace the best of what life has to offer.
Outfit details: Dress – Shein* / Bag – Primark (similar*) / Shoes – Primark (similar*) / Hair bow – Shein* / Sunglasses – Shein (similar*)
6. You’re Wise With How You’re Spending Your Time
Tying in with the previous point, it’s likely that part of your wellness girl era is being able to identify what makes you happiest so you can do more of it intentionally.
Whether it’s a hobby like painting or reading or an activity like strolling through your local park, it’s about actively finding time to do more of what you love to fill up your own cup so then you have enough love and energy to give to those around you.
For me, I pamper myself by doing my nails, putting on a face mask and watching a romcom every Friday night so I always have “me” time scheduled in the diary every week. I also love to read so I make sure I allocate time before bed every day to get stuck into my latest book obsession.
Similarly, hubby and I have “date day Saturdays” where we spend time together doing fun trips and activities. We look forward to it every week, knowing it’s “our” time when we can get out of the house, laugh and be together without interruption.
7. You’re Selective in Who You’re Spending Your Time With
We’ve covered how being wise with how you’re spending your time is important in your wellness girl era. But who you’re spending your time with is just as important.
Part of living your best life is knowing the people you have around you have your best interests at heart and you can rely on them 100%. Do you have someone in your life you’re not close to but you feel obligated to have them there just because they’ve been there a long time, or because they’re family? How do you feel when you’ve spent time with this person? What are they adding to your life?
The truth is, many of us spend the best part of our twenties figuring out who our true friends are or family members we want to stay close to. But nobody ever tells you that this can continue long into your thirties too. Life constantly changes and evolves, and your inner circle can look different from one year to the next.
An aspect of my wellness girl era is drawing the line at unnecessary drama or toxicity. My loved ones and I are all old enough now to speak to each other kindly, be understanding of one another’s perspectives and communicate and work through any issues. As you get older, you heal more and more from the traumas of your past. Well, as they say: “time’s a healer.”
That’s why I’ll be actively stepping back from the loved ones who refuse to commit to self-growth or respect my boundaries and I’ve given second, third, a million chances too. It’s not that I no longer have love for them — it’s because I love myself more and I have to protect my energy. For the time being, I can love them better from a distance.
8. You’re Kind to Yourself
In the short term, stepping away from loved ones you’ve had in your life for years can be tough. But, ridding your life of toxic energy is one of the kindest things you can do for yourself in your wellness girl era.
Likewise, eliminating any negative self-talk and treating yourself as if you’re a dear friend is another way you can be kind to yourself. Then there’s the self-care aspect I talked about earlier.
The more you’re kind to yourself, the more you’ll get into the habit of doing tiny things for yourself that make you feel a whole lot of goodness. For me, this looks like cutting myself some slack if I’ve not got everything done on my to-do list that I wanted to do that day, or putting myself to bed if I don’t feel well.
But everybody is different. Work out how you can be more kind to yourself today and try to do it more. The relationship you have with yourself is the most important one you’ll ever have — it lasts a lifetime.
9. You’ve Never Felt Happier or Healthier
Let’s face it, you’ll just know if you’re in your wellness girl era because this is the happiest and healthiest you’ve ever felt.
You’re comfortable within your own skin, you can live in the moment and be grateful for the present, make peace with your past and also have things you’re looking forward to in the future. Life feels like a multitude of blessings and you’re super excited for what tomorrow may bring.
10. You Just Want to Keep Improving Yourself
Lastly, just like life keeps levelling up in your wellness girl era, you want to make sure you’re levelling up too.
I’m constantly trying to work on myself, continue with my healing journey and be the best version of myself — for me and for everybody else around me.
Life goes by so fast and we have to learn to be able to adapt, challenge ourselves and grow, otherwise, it will pass us by and we will end up the same person doing the same mundane things. I want to be able to look back at my time when I’m old and grey knowing I did everything I could, embraced every opportunity, had amazing experiences and lived to the fullest while I still could.
You only get one life, but if you live it well, once is enough.
Final Thoughts on Signs You’re in Your Wellness Girl Era
Your wellness girl era is a stage of your life where you’re ready to leave behind unfavourable habits, thoughts and beliefs, and embrace what — and who — makes you feel happiest and healthiest.
Maybe you’re just starting your wellness girl era or perhaps you’re already there; it doesn’t matter how old you are or how you got to this point in your life. Either way, you’ll just know you want to continue in your wellness girl era. After all, it’s the best ever.
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