Wellness Doesn't Have to Be This Complicated

June is Global Wellness Month, and if there's one thing I've been reflecting on lately, it's this: I think there are simpler ways to incorporate more wellness into our lives. My own included.

Not long ago, I was in the middle of a group workout class when a thought came out of nowhere: "I kind of don't enjoy this anymore."

Not because of the studio. Not the coach. Not the people. It just didn't feel right for me or my body anymore. And instead of pushing through like I would have five years ago, I actually stopped and listened.

That felt new.

We change. Our wellness routine should too.

Running The Self Hug and becoming a certified wellness coach, I learned that the majority of women aren't struggling because they don't know enough about wellness. They're struggling because there's so much information, they don't know where to begin.

Sauna. Cold plunge. Hot pilates. Hybrid classes. Padel. Supplements. 10,000 steps. The morning routine that takes 90 minutes before you've even had breakfast.

I've tried most of it, genuinely, and still enjoy a lot of it too. But the difference between trying things at 25 versus 32 is this: I now try things on my own terms, not because someone on the internet told me I should. And I ask myself these questions before committing to anything:

What is the benefit of this practice?

Do I enjoy it? If so, can I sustain it?

If the answer is no, I let it go. Without guilt.

What my wellness looked like before I knew better

I'll be honest about where I started. In my early twenties, wellness wasn't even a word in my vocabulary. I was in university abroad, most likely seeking validation through my social life, and running on almost no sleep. Oh, and getting an academic degree somewhere in between.

By the time I moved back to Jakarta after graduation, my body started sending signals I couldn't ignore. I ended up on bed rest on my birthday, completely burnt out from my first job, stress, and weeks of poor sleep and bad habits. That was the first time I thought: something needs to change.

But even then, changing careers wasn't the magical solution to all of my problems. It took a pandemic and a stillness I didn't ask for to finally slow me down enough to reflect. For the first time, I had real time alone, with my thoughts, my patterns, and the habits I'd been too busy to examine. That's when journaling became a daily practice, and slowly, things started to shift.

Chrysti, my co-founder and closest friend, was going through her own version of the same realisation.

We both felt it: people needed better tools to help them understand themselves, shift their mindset, and build healthier habits. At that time, nothing felt simple or accessible enough. So we built it ourselves. 

That's how The Self Hug was born; a brand built around the belief that well-being doesn't have to be complicated. Through guided journals and experiences, we help people reconnect with themselves, build emotional resilience, and live with more intention.

What wellness actually looks like for me at 32

Intentional. That's the word I keep coming back to.

And I'll be the first to admit, knowing better doesn't mean you always do better. Just last week I ended up in the ER with an intense headache from prolonged tension and burnout. My body, once again, forcing me to listen. Chrysti reminded me of something I clearly needed to hear: recovery and rest is just as important.

So what does wellness actually look like for me now? Walking more. Eating in a way that fuels me. Sleeping early and protecting that sleep. Moving my body in ways I enjoy, even if I'm sore for two days after. Spending real, present time with my husband, my family, my closest friends.

And recovery. Massages, facials, rest days. Without guilt. 

The biggest shift between my twenties and now? I don't move my body to torture it anymore. I move it because I love it and want it to last.

The only wellness question that matters

The wellness industry will always have something new for you to try. And some of it will be genuinely great. But none of it matters if you're doing it out of anxiety, comparison, or the fear of falling behind.

Wellness evolves because you evolve. What your body and mind needed at 25 is not what they need at 32. And what works for the woman next to you in that workout class might not work for you. That's not failure. That's just paying attention.

So the question isn't "what should I be doing?"

It's "what do I actually need right now?"

Sometimes the answer is that group class with the girls. Sometimes it's cancelling plans and going to bed at 9pm. Sometimes it's a long walk, a good meal, and doing absolutely nothing else.

Simple. Almost embarrassingly so.

But that's the whole point.

What's one thing you've been overcomplicating lately? Start there.

About Our Author

Nina Priatna is the Co-Founder of The Self Hug. With over 8 years of experience across advertising, public relations, and tech (and a background in international law) Nina brings a unique lens to the world of wellness. She is a certified Integrative Health and Wellness Coach through IIN, passionate about helping young adults build healthy habits, manage stress and emotions, and develop the confidence to show up for themselves; one small, practical step at a time.