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Wellness Wednesday Newsletter
This Week's Theme: Finding Gratitude in the Season Before "I Do"
Hi Reader,
I hope you're having a wonderful week!
Life has a way of keeping us focused on what's next.
The next appointment.
The next deadline.
The next decision.
The next box to pack.
This week, I've been reminded that some of life's greatest moments aren't the milestones themselves. They're the memories we create while getting there.
What if I had just waited?
Inside this week's newsletter:
- A Note from Me - Why the season leading up to your wedding matters just as much as the day itself.
- From the Coaching Room - The foundational habits that help couples thrive before the wedding.
- Wellness Tip - Create space before creating solutions.
- From My Kitchen -
- What's Happening in HFG -A sneak peek at what's coming soon.
- Wellness Q&A- My thoughts on the recent Cyclospora outbreaks.
- Reflection of the Week - One question to help you slow down this week.
My hope is that you walk away remembering that wellness isn't built when life finally slows down. It's built in the middle of the beautiful season you're living right now.
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A Note from Me
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One thing I've been thinking about this week is that your wedding isn't just one day.
It's every memory that's created along the way.
It's asking your closest friends to stand beside you.
It's finding the dress and sharing that moment with the people you love.
It's choosing the venue, meeting your vendors, picking out the flowers, tasting the cake, and watching all of the little pieces slowly come together to tell your story.
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Every wedding looks different because every couple is different.
Just like every journey through motherhood looks different. Every family is different. Every nursing journey is different. (Trust me, I never imagined I'd still be nursing a toddler!)
There isn't one "right" way to walk through these seasons.
As we've been preparing for our move, I've realized something similar. Most people think the move itself is the stressful part. Ironically, I've found so much joy in packing, organizing, and imagining what this next chapter will look like for our family.
More importantly, I've been intentional about slowing down.
Packing boxes has been balanced with playing with Eriana, laughing together, and making memories in the middle of the mess. Those moments matter just as much as checking another task off the list.
It's reminded me that this move isn't just about arriving at a new apartment.
It's about the season we're living through together.
I hope you'll remember that your wedding isn't built on one beautiful day.
It's built through all the little moments leading up to it.
The conversations.
The excitement.
The challenges.
The laughter.
The people who are walking alongside you.
Cherish those moments.
One day, they'll become some of your favorite memories.
As I look ahead to this next season, I'm finding myself filled with gratitude. Not because everything is finished, but because I've slowed down enough to notice all the goodness that's been here all along.
I hope this week's newsletter encourages you to do the same, especially if you're walking through a full and beautiful season of your own.
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From the Coaching Room
As I reflected on all of this, I realized this isn't just something I've been experiencing in my own life. It's something I've been watching unfold in the lives of the couples I coach as well.
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One of my favorite parts of my work is coaching both brides-to-be and engaged couples.
When I work with a couple, wellness isn't about one person making changes. It's about learning how to build healthy habits together.
Many of the couples I work with begin coaching more than 18 months before their wedding. During those first several months, we don't spend much time talking about the wedding itself.
Instead, we build the foundation.
We work on balancing work and home life.
Planning meals ahead of time.
Finding movement they actually enjoy.
Improving communication.
Learning how to talk to themselves with more compassion.
Developing grounding techniques that help them navigate stressful seasons.
Then something really beautiful happens.
As the wedding gets closer, wellness no longer has to be the main focus because it has become part of everyday life.
Instead of worrying about creating healthy habits, they're able to spend more time enjoying their engagement and preparing for marriage because the foundation has already been built.
Of course, every couple is different. Some are navigating incredibly demanding careers or high stress seasons, so we continue focusing on nervous system regulation, communication, boundaries, and learning when to delegate.
That's why I love personalized coaching.
We aren't preparing for just one day.
We're preparing for a lifetime together.
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Wellness Tip
Create Space Before You Create Solutions When life feels overwhelming, our first instinct is usually to solve the next problem.
Cross another task off the list.
Make another phone call.
Figure out what's next.
Instead, create a little space first.
Journal.
Take a walk.
Sit outside with your morning coffee.
Pray.
Take a few slow breaths before reaching for your phone.
Creating space isn't wasting time.
It's giving your mind a chance to catch up with your heart.
This week, I challenge you to intentionally create just ten minutes of space for yourself.
Notice what comes up.
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From My Kitchen
This week's recipe is a simple one-pan meal that's full of flavor and packed with nourishment. Salmon provides heart-healthy omega-3s and protein, while zucchini, tomatoes, and lentils add fiber, color, and staying power.
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It's a great reminder that healthy meals don't have to be complicated. Sometimes the best recipes are the ones that come together with simple ingredients and minimal cleanup.
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What's Happening in HFG
I'm excited to share a little sneak peek of something that's been in the works!
Over the past few weeks, I've been collaborating with several incredible wellness professionals to create a unique wellness experience designed to help you slow down, reconnect, and prioritize your well-being.
We're still putting the finishing touches on everything, so I can't share all the details just yet, but I promise it's going to be something special.
Stay tuned. I can't wait to share more with you soon!
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Wellness Q & A
Q: What are your thoughts on the recent Cyclospora outbreaks linked to fresh produce? Are you still eating fruits and vegetables?
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This was a great question, and honestly, my answer is probably a little different than people expect.
I'm not afraid of fruits and vegetables, and I certainly don't want this to discourage anyone from eating them. They are still an important part of a healthy diet.
That said, I have made a few temporary changes for my own family while this outbreak is being investigated.
This week, I've been reaching for frozen fruits that were packaged before the recalls and making homemade refrigerator jams. I've also been cooking more of our vegetables instead of eating them raw.
One day I completely forgot and ate a salad anyway.
I didn't panic.
I didn't let it consume me.
Then I went right back to the choices that felt most comfortable for me.
Personally, I'm being a little more cautious with Eriana because she's still little, and I'd also encourage anyone with a compromised immune system, chronic health conditions, or a particularly sensitive digestive system to stay informed and talk with their healthcare provider if they have concerns.
At the end of the day, this isn't about fear.
It's about making informed decisions based on the information we have right now while remembering that one salad or one missed precaution doesn't define our overall health.
As always, my goal is progress over perfection.
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Reflection of the Week
What memory are you creating today that your future self will be grateful you didn't rush through?
Take a deep breath.
Slow down.
The milestone will come.
Don't miss the beautiful season leading up to it.
Thank you for spending part of your Wednesday with me.
Whether you're planning your wedding, settling into marriage, raising little ones, or simply navigating a full season of life, I hope you'll remember this:
Your life isn't built in the milestones. It's built in the moments leading up to them.
Have a wonderful week!
Be well,
Mariana Santiago-Jimenez, HWC
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