Two years ago, I hit my breaking point with working from home.
The piano bench had morphed into a pseudo-office (it’s just large enough to hold a laptop, Lean Cuisine, and spilled mug of coffee).
No one ever brewed a fresh pot. Dishes were everywhere. And most days, I worked in my pajamas.
The novelty of working in t-shirt and underpants had worn thin. Initially, it seemed fantastical and amazing, the way kids fantasize about having no bedtime. It’s only fun at first, and not very good for you.
I got my office space in March 2023. While not tied to any New Year’s resolutions, this shift was about claiming a sense of agency and taking charge of my wellness.
We’re in the thick of wellness-themed resolutions. With bulging waistlines and fresh holiday debt, most resolutions focus on singular achievements—paying off a credit card, running a marathon, or keeping off those 50 pounds.
Yet wellness isn’t a destination or a major accomplishment. It’s a series of small, intentional choices that build a better foundation for mind, body, and wallet. In 2025, it’s time to shift the focus from perfection to progress.
Here are 6 bite-sized ideas to help you weave wellness into your daily life without feeling overwhelmed
1. Reconnect with community—on your own terms
The antidote to isolation starts with connection.
Working from home was amazing. So was working out too, hopping on the Peloton every morning. But loneliness has a way of creeping in.
No one wants to be dragged back into the office and face two long commutes a day—not even for the occasional sheet cake or pizza appreciation party.
If flexibility permits, consider trekking into the office once or twice a week. Even working from a coffee shop can be an invigorating change of pace. You’re around other noise and color, but not beholden to any of it. Plus, there are major mental health benefits to going out in public alone.
2. Redefine your workspace
Your work environment impacts how you feel. Balancing a laptop on your couch or a coffee shop table can initially feel inspiring: It’s a change of pace where you may be “breaking the rules.”
A dedicated workspace is better. If you’re lucky enough to have a home office, consider taking the time to make it as productive and attractive as possible. This doesn’t mean hanging up motivational business prints (which, to be honest, always manage to demotivate me), but rather taking time and care to create a space that brings out your best.
For me, that means being creative, energized, and productive. I spent a lot of time and care filling my office with the right aesthetic flourishes—wall art, knickknacks, plants—to set the vibe.
Start small—a comfortable chair, a little green, some natural lighting—and build from there. I have an indoor garden grow light clamped to my monitor for some extra “sunshine” and artificial greenery—faux succulents and vining plants—sprawling everywhere.
I do work from the Wilderness, a coworking space with lots of natural light and real plants, including a real tree in the kitchen. But if the building were windowless, I think I’d still be happy with my fake greens and $18 garden light.
3. Prioritize movement, even in small doses
Wellness starts with moving your body. Exercise doesn’t have to mean hours at the gym or grueling boot camps. Sometimes it’s as simple as hopping on a treadmill between meetings or doing a few jumping jacks at your desk.
Even the simple act of walking has amazing benefits for physical and mental well-being. Exercise can improve and “renovate” the white matter in our brains, improving our memory and cognitive abilities.
This image of brain activity shows the power of just 20 minutes of walking. The blue region shows the brain is in a more passive state, not well-engaged for learning and problem-solving.
The image on the right shows large areas of red, yellow, and green, reflecting a significant increase in brain activity due to enhanced blood flow and oxygen delivered to the brain from walking. Moving your body can recharge your brain as well as improve your waistline.
My office is part coworking space and part gym, so I can take meetings while walking on a treadmill (that adjusts to my walking pace) with a tabletop for laptops. And I regularly pace the floor for the building’s length as I proofread and edit my writing. Every three articles is about one mile of walking.
4. Take care of your wallet
Financial wellness is self-care, too. If you’re living paycheck to paycheck with no financial cushion, your mental and physical health are going to take a beating. It’s hard to stick with a workout regime when you’re worried about paying for a car repair or last month’s rent.
Your budget deserves as much thought and care as other areas of your life.
Consider simple, bite-sized ways you can cut back. Instead of going to Starbucks every other day, could you go every other day, or just once a week?
Or if you bring your work and camp out at coffee shops, as I’ve been wont to do, look for more cost-effective options.
Public libraries these days are incredibly well-resourced, with extra-large desks and tabletops and plenty of plug-ins and outlets for your devices.
Additionally, consider a coworking space like We Work or The Wilderness. At The Wilderness, for example, you can get a combined office and gym membership for just $229 a month. I joined for the unlimited coffee that someone else has to brew, the walking treadmills, free printing, and natural light. But there are also free daily group fitness classes, group retreats, and on-site events for community engagement.
I still do work from home from time to time, and will occasionally bring my laptop to museum coffee shops or other venues for a change of scene. But a commitment to one primary space has saved me money and brought greater continuity and focus to my professional life.
5. Learn something new
Bonus points if that “something new” can make you money.
Learning new skills isn’t just about self-improvement—it’s about unlocking opportunities. Take my cut-out sugar cookies, for example. After countless blog posts and videos, I finally learned how to make cookies that don’t taste like disappointment. They aren’t a Martha Stewart-level success, but the process has taught me the value of digging in and experimenting until you get it right.
More practically, I’ve become adept at using ChatGPT as a daily writing co-pilot. It doesn’t do all the work, but it banishes writer’s block and makes my content sharper. Clients love that I leverage this skill to work more efficiently, and I’ve noticed more job postings requiring AI fluency. It’s a skill that keeps the lights on.
What skills can you learn to improve your life and wallet?
Consider exploring DIY investment apps to learn about fractional investment in stocks or real estate. It will deepen your understanding of the markets so your 401(k) isn’t some black box you’re throwing money—and hope—at every couple of weeks. Platforms like Stash or Arrived Homes can help you start small and grow.
Or look into remote side hustles that fit your lifestyle. FreshBuck’s James Walthall, a digital marketer and self-made millionaire, often emphasizes the importance of multiple income streams and continuous learning. He even drove DoorDash for a day to see what that side hustle had to offer.
6. Master small goals, not big ones
Go big or go home? Sounds great—until it doesn’t.
Big, audacious goals might look inspiring on paper, but they’re often the fastest track to burnout or giving up.
I learned this the hard way when I trained for a marathon, a desire born from my “go big or go home” mentality. I ran all 26.2 miles—but I also blew out my hips a few years later. By my mid-30s, I had severe osteoarthritis and the range of motion of an 80-year-old. Multiple hip replacements (plural) are in my not-so-distant future.
Had I set my sights on a 10k or a half-marathon and paced myself, I’d probably still be running today—something I deeply miss. There’s nothing like lacing up your sneakers, popping in some earbuds, and hitting the pavement propelled by your own two feet.
Instead of chasing "marathon goals," aim for small, manageable ones. Focus on the mundane: like getting really good at making three-ingredient meatloaf or texting one new contact—a friend or family member who doesn’t live in your DMs—a day.
For some goals like working out, it’s all about removing barriers. Set a goal of changing into gym clothes every night after dinner—not working out, just changing apparel and lacing up. Eventually, your body will want to move, and you’ll find yourself restless enough to just go.
Some days, you’ll crush a workout. On other days, you’ll crash on the couch devouring Little Debbies and Real Housewives. Both count as wins because you showed up and kept the momentum going. Slow and steady isn’t flashy, but it works—and it lasts.
Closing thoughts
Wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all, and in 2025, it’s time to make it your own. It’s about building small habits that stick—choosing connection over isolation, movement over inertia, mindfulness over mindlessness, and making smarter, more sustainable money moves (or at least less bad ones).
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight to feel better, stronger, or more in control. Just pick one thing, start small, and keep going. The payoff? A life that’s not just balanced but genuinely fulfilling.
You’ve got this—jump in now! What skill or change can you make today to improve your life?
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