In its essence, wellness is about a need that underscores our common humanity – the need for rest, recharging and resetting. But in practice, in order to meet that need, it is in recognizing and honouring our differences that these are achieved for everyone.
This is because what wellness looks like (the subtle and not-so-subtle nuances required) will depend on our identities, our experiences, and our context. If we are not aware of (or responsive to) this truth as we create places and spaces to offer wellness to people, we will miss the mark for many.
Missing the mark is easier to do that you may imagine. We are all well-versed in what we need, and what matters and is meaningful to us. And it is incredibly easy (and common) to assume that others want and need the same. Sadly, assumptions are often assumed to be truth, which means we can easily end up creating wellness spaces that only really work for some.
We will say “everyone is welcome”, and we will believe it. But what we offer, how we offer it, where we offer it, and who is offering may tell a different story. The result is that those who really are welcome continue to be “like us”.
“They don’t come,” we may say. “We’ve tried.” And we will believe it. When in reality, upon arrival there may have been little that felt welcoming, that suggested acknowledgment, that resonated, or that felt safe. And so, there was no reason to enter or to return.
Time, space, and care are not just what we are offering people; we must also use these as tools as we build places to support wellness.
Doing so purposefully, intentionally, and with awareness will result in greater access, greater diversity, and greater inclusion – creating spaces where everyone can benefit from the rest, recharge and resetting that wellness intends.
