the irony of forgetting what sustains us
We live in a culture that rewards burnout. We glorify being busy, wear exhaustion like a badge of honor, and convince ourselves that self-care is something we’ll “get to” once everything else is done.
But here’s the twist: the very things we neglect—movement, nourishment, rest—are the things that keep us here. They’re not optional. They’re foundational. It’s LITERALLY the most important investment you’ll ever make.
I’ll be the first to raise my guilty hand 🙋♀️—if I didn’t teach yoga, I know I’d struggle to attend it. Right now, I’m in the battle myself: fighting to make time for my own movement practice. It’s humbling. It’s frustrating. And it’s real. I have to come back to find a schedule again and again and again. It’s sloppy, but it’s slowly working.
But here’s the truth: If taking care of yourself—physically, mentally, emotionally—isn’t at the top of your priority list… your list is broken.
Let’s talk about what it means to rebuild that list.
move with intention
Movement isn’t just about fitness. It’s about longevity. It’s about keeping your joints fluid, your muscles strong, your heart healthy, and your mind clear. We care about longevity not because we want to live forever—but because we want to live well for as long as we’re here.
I think if that hits, it hits. I’ve been red pilled on it - I can’t unsee the importance of strengthening each and every ‘pillar’ of wellness now. This doesn’t mean I’ve mastered it by any means - but it all starts with awareness and that’s what I am preaching here - being aware that it’s number one will start to shift some things for you. You might slowly make difference decisions that are less impulsive. Decisions that support you tomorrow, not right now. We love our dopamine, sure, and there’s a balance between ‘live a little’ and ‘long -haul living’ - you need to find that balance.
Think about it: do you want to be 70 and still able to hike, dance, play with your grandkids, or simply get up off the floor without pain? That starts now. And we as humans HATE the long-haul - like investing money, we want to enjoy it now, right? But the long haul is essential to long term comfort. Every time you choose to move, you’re investing in your future self.
So schedule your workouts like you schedule meetings. Prioritize strength training to support your bones and metabolism. Add flexibility work to stay mobile and injury-free. Make movement a non-negotiable.
And my tip to make it digestible - coming from someone with very little time - start often, but short. 30 minute work outs a few times a week to run through some movements you like. The ripple effect WILL catch you, and you’ll start to see the shifts.
nourish yourself like you mean it
Let’s be real: our food system is a freaking mess. There’s so much garbage in our foods—preservatives, seed oils, artificial flavors (like that in the heck is natural flavours on the ingredient lists?), added sugars—that your body has to work overtime just to figure out what the hell you just gave it.
And that’s not kindness. That’s chaos.
Meal prepping isn’t about being perfect or aesthetic. It’s about control. It’s about knowing what’s going into your body and choosing ingredients that support your energy, mood, and digestion.
Look for:
High protein to keep you full and support muscle repair.
Clean ingredients that your body recognizes and can use efficiently.
Whole foods that nourish rather than inflame.
When you eat well, you feel well. And when you feel well, you show up better—for everything.
I recently started a carnivore diet (that’s a whole other yogi rant for another day) BUT I’ve learned that a lot of the ‘other’ foods, the dressings, the breads, etc - are all these added calories (not calorie shaming) - of CRAP!
Yes, you can get healthier breads and yes carbs are life, but this particular diet has helped me understand what’s the excess - and do I really need it? (and sometimes, I do, most times - shocker - I don’t)
rest, intentionally
Rest isn’t just sleep. It’s anything that allows your nervous system to exhale.
It could be:
Reading a book that transports you
Gentle stretching without expectation
Sitting in silence with a cup of tea.
Taking a walk without your phone
Saying no to plans because your body said yes to stillness
Rest is not laziness. It’s wisdom. It’s the pause that allows you to keep going without breaking. It’s deeper work than you think. I’ve learned to separate myself from my body so that I can treat my body separately - as in, view it as something I NEED to take care of. Something that needs to be maintained, and deeply rested to restore.
so,
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about awareness. It’s about choosing, again and again, to return to what sustains you.
So if you’re feeling off, overwhelmed, or disconnected—pause. Reassess. And rebuild your list with you at the top.
You’re not selfish for doing so. You’re just being smart.
thanks for reading this weeks yogi rant.
w/ gratitude,
A
