Wearing My Wellness Shades

When I was 9 years old, in the late 90’s, I was obsessed with The Beatles. I listened to their albums every night on my CD player as I fell asleep. Yes, my CD player. While at a flee market with my family, I found the most incredible pair of rose-colored Windsor glasses. These are the circular shades that John Lennon is famous for sporting in many different colors during the band’s experimental phase. For those of you who aren’t as familiar with The Beatles, this is when band members started letting their hair grow out and stopped wearing shoes.

                I never had a pair of tinted sunglasses before. I wore them the rest of the day and when I woke up the next morning, I put them on again. I enjoyed looking at my surroundings through these glasses. I enjoyed looking at everyday things through these glasses. It was exciting. It was pleasurable. My world had taken on a pinkish hue. It was beautiful.

                I think practicing wellness is a lot like having a pair of good sunglasses. When I have a self-care routine or incorporate wellness into my daily life, these practices function as a protective barrier. When I take care of myself habitually, the world is an exciting place to experience, my interactions are pleasurable, and I can see the beauty in my everyday life.  When I am not taking care of myself, the world can seem too bright, interacting with others can be difficult, and I may not be able to see things clearly.

                There is no right way to practice wellness, and how we practice may change over time as we change as a person. During a quiet time in my life, in my early twenties, wellness meant practicing yoga and meditating every day. As my career progressed, and I took on new levels of responsibility in my late twenties, I found relief in taking my dogs to local trails and spending time in nature. Currently, I make sure to take time for myself in the morning before I start my days. I have a good cup of coffee and journal about how I want my day to look like. Wellness should not be a chore! Self-care should not add stress to our day.  I do not have a great deal of free time during this phase of my life. I must adapt how I take care of myself and how I give back to myself. The point is not how I do it. The point is to do it. I have owned various pairs of sunglasses throughout my life. Each pair served me in one way or another. Each pair acted as protection and allowed me to enjoy fun in the sun. When one style no longer suits me, I try a new one!

If you would like to speak to a professional counselor or psychologist about this and are in the Chicago area, please feel free to contact Olive Branch Counseling Associates, Inc. at 708-633-8000. We are located at 6819 West 167^th Street in Tinley Park, Illinois 60477.

Written By: Hillary R., Masters Level Intern 2023