A Better Way to Well: 5 Lessons for Everyday Well-Being
Well-being can feel like an elusive goal, especially when we’re bombarded with conflicting advice and expectations. Over the years, as a co-founder of If Lost, Start Here—a well-being company focused on helping people find their way—I’ve learned some surprising truths about what it really means to feel better in our everyday lives.
Here are five lessons that might help you rethink your own well-being journey.
1. Sometimes, it’s not us—it’s the situation.
How often do we blame ourselves when we don’t seem to “fit”? We’re told to adapt, to be more resilient, to “tough it out.” But what if the problem isn’t you at all—it’s the environment you’re in?
For over a decade, I worked in the art world, constantly questioning myself. Was I too quiet? Too sensitive? Too “wrong”? But when I transitioned into spaces focused on empathy, listening, and one-to-one connection—like coaching calls or well-being conversations—I thrived.
The truth is, not every situation is meant to work for every person. Trying to mould yourself to fit an environment that doesn’t align with your values or strengths only serves to stifle you. Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is to move toward a space that lets you show up fully as yourself.
2. Mental wellness looks different for everyone.
Traditional mental wellness can feel like a one-size-fits-all solution—usually oriented towards therapy or medication. But now, we’re embracing a more nuanced approach: recognising that everyone’s well-being path is unique.
That’s why we created If Lost, Start Here as a choose-your-own-adventure well-being company. For me, mental wellness starts with awe, wonder, creativity, and connection. For my co-founder, it’s time in nature, movement, and stepping away from technology. What works for me might not work for her, and that’s okay. The key is finding what resonates with you—and knowing there are many ways to care for your mental and emotional well-being.
3. The therapeutic is everywhere.
When I realised the art world wasn’t for me, I started to retrain in psychotherapy and coaching. But over time, I’ve discovered that the therapeutic is everywhere: in the spaces we create, the communities we nurture, and the moments of connection we share
From a thoughtful prompt to a quiet moment in nature, the world is full of opportunities to support better well-being. It’s not just about what happens in a conversation one-on-one but extends to and comes from how we choose to engage with what’s around us outside that relationship too.
4. Progress doesn’t always look like progress.
Our culture tends to value action—forward momentum, measurable results, and quick fixes. But well-being doesn’t always work that way. In fact, some of the most profound progress comes when we pause.
Sometimes, progress means sitting with discomfort, taking a step back, or simply resting when everything around us screams, “Do More” Allowing yourself to stop striving is a radical act of self-care in a world that glorifies busyness.
5. It’s okay not to have it all figured out.
When we started If Lost, Start Here, I thought I needed all the answers. How could I guide others if I was still navigating my own questions? But I quickly learned that well-being isn’t about having a perfect plan—it’s about curiosity, experimentation, and a willingness to embrace the unknown.
We’re all navigating life’s uncertainties. The most important thing is to show up, stay open, and trust the process. Sometimes, it’s in the spaces between certainty and doubt that we find the answers we’re looking for.
Find Your Better Way to Well
The path to well-being isn’t linear—it’s personal, evolving, and sometimes messy. What matters is finding what works for you.
If you’re looking for a way to start, we’ve created A Better Way to Well, a free five-part email series designed to help you cut through the noise and connect with what truly matters. You’ll receive practical, research-backed prompts to help you reflect, reset, and create your own personalised approach to well-being.
Sign up here and take the first small step toward feeling better in your everyday life.
