Like how a strong abdominal core keeps us physically planted, at the root of momentous living lies core values that center us when all else feels amuck. Otherwise, at least for me, I flounder—discombobulated, disoriented, distracted, disconnected. When I lose track of what I believe and what I stand for, I lose my way.

Researcher and author, Brené Brown, recommends identifying two values. More might resonate, but two can typically serve as overarching ones. Today, I want to focus on one of my core values: well-being, beginning with a simply complex question.

What does a “well” being look like? As in a well person.

Are “well-beings” synonymous with our proverbial best selves? Does being well mean that we need to be all put together, all the time? Can well beings get sick, or stuck, or mess up; and still be well? Does well-being mean that we should strive to be better, as in “Better self. Better world.”? And if we strive to be better, does that mean we’re not good enough? That we’re not well enough? How do well beings care well for themselves? What does that look like?

Diving Deeper into Wellness

I had the pleasure of meeting Heather Ross in 2023. I wanted to become more educated—beyond unhelpful stigmas—about substance abuse and mental disorders, while Heather was making an impact in the recovery community through coaching and leading. You will hear more about Heather this year, but I mention her now because she suggested an assignment—take note of how you care for yourself. Her assignment led me deeper into my 2024 wellness theme. 

As I look forward to beginning another year—a milestone along my given road—my trek has taught me that well-being embodies dynamic dimensions. I view wellness within the framework of body, mind, and soul or physical, mental, spiritual. But this past year I expanded my triage to include six more subdivisions: emotional, intellectual, and social; financial, occupational, and environmental, with all of them interconnecting.

Heather had posted a link from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) site that explored these dimensions in detail. Adding more areas to monitor though, could easily feel as if we need to keep more balls in the air. But, by examining the whole up closer, I am better able to quickly pinpoint for example, why my stomach feels knotted up or my vision is acting up, or why I feel frustrated, overwhelmed, angry, or tired, or even why the word “love” seems abstract (more on this next month). By doing a wellness check in each category, I increase self-awareness, and in turn self-care, which has more to do with not keeping more balls in the air. 

Do a Wellness Self-Check

My self-check consists of assigning a number between 1-5 to each wellness category, with five being best. This is not to say that my “ratings” dictate how I feel—shitty or pompous for example. Instead, I try to care enough for myself to be honest enough with myself, to use my ratings to recognize the areas that are good, but to also ask: What needs my attention? And why? And how might I give that attention? 

I’ve done a lot of work in the areas of physical, mental, and spiritual wellness, to the point that I typically recognize what I need to do when feeling off track. By expanding beyond these three however, I have learned that occupational, environmental, and financial wellness need more of my attention these days. On the surface I’d probably receive a five in all three. I have the freedom of flexible work, I love my home, and I live debt-free. But…as much joy as my flexible work creates, it also fosters frustration. I love my beautiful home, but I desire more peace and simplicity. I live debt-free but my relationship to money confuses me. 

Why is this?

The 9 Dimensions of Wellness

Before trying to answer my why, it’s first helpful to define each wellness area. Here’s SAMHSA’s overview of the Nine Dimension of Wellness with some of my own thoughts added:

1.  Physical Wellness: everything needed for a healthy body—nutrition, exercise, sleep, and appropriate health care.
2.  Mental Wellness: a healthy head, as in brain function. 
3.  Spiritual Wellness: a broad concept that represents one’s personal beliefs and values, and a sense of balance and peace. It includes recognizing our search for meaning and purpose in human existence.
4.  Emotional Wellness: the ability to express feelings, adjust to emotional challenges, cope with life’s stressors, and enjoy life. 
5.  Intellectual Wellness: the many things that keep our brains active and our knowledge expanding. 
6.  Social Wellness: maintaining healthy relationships with friends, family, and the community, and having an interest in and concern for humankind.
7.  Financial Wellness: our relationship to and perspective of money, regardless of how much or how little we earn, including an understanding of processes and resources such as income, debt, budgeting, and savings. 
8.  Occupational Wellness: participating in activities that provide meaning and purpose and reflect personal values, interests, and beliefs, including employment.
9.  Environmental Wellness: being able to be safe and feel safe in a clean, peaceful, and empowering home and community that encourage individual and collaborative growth.  

Creating a “Well” Life in 2024

I have found that each of these dimensions may not be weighted equally at any given time. Trying to perfectly assign 5s to each will be counterproductive. I think what is more important is that we gain an awareness of all, an understanding of each, and that we live holistically, knowing that each affects our overall health. As the proverbial saying goes, a chain is as strong as its weakest link. 

What better time than now to do a quick self-check and ask yourself how you’re doing in each wellness dimension: physical, mental, spiritual; emotional, intellectual, and social; financial, occupational, and environmental. Additionally, I will be asking wellness experts throughout the year, their thoughts on all my many questions I posed in this post, most especially, “What does a ‘well being’ look like, as in a well person?”

Until then…what does your “well being” look like?

Be Momentous! 🌎

Do a quick self-check by rating yourself in each wellness category. Then pick an area or two you’d like to improve. Maybe find some stones as suggested in “A Milestone Year” post, write your BOLD goals on them, and use them as reminders to make 2024 a milestone year.