11/16/2025
🌿 Walking My Talk: A Nine-Dimensional Wellness Day at Audubon 🌿
After two back-to-back IVIG infusions, I could’ve easily stayed home and rested—and some days, that is the right choice. But today, my body and mind were asking for gentle movement, fresh air, and connection. I intentionally chose a slower-paced guided hike at Audubon State Park… and it ended up being a full-circle wellness experience in all nine dimensions.
As a wellness coach at Ivy Tech, I teach students that true well-being isn’t one-dimensional—it’s the balance of physical, social, emotional, environmental, intellectual, spiritual, financial, occupational, and creative wellness. Today reminded me why I share that message so passionately. Even with chronic illness and ongoing treatment, I try to model the same approach I guide students through.
Practicing what I preach—even when my own journey has its setbacks.
✨ Physical Wellness:
I honored my body by choosing movement that was gentle, achievable, and restorative. A guided hike instead of a high-intensity workout. Slow and steady, listening with compassion.
✨ Social Wellness:
Being with a group brought community and conversation—plus River decided everyone needed his charm today. Someone even offered to take our picture, which made the experience feel even more connected.
✨ Emotional Wellness:
The quiet moments in the woods, the crunch of leaves, the sense of accomplishment after a hard week—it all helped ease stress and bring a little emotional clarity and calm.
✨ Environmental Wellness:
Audubon never disappoints. Golden leaves, warm sun, and deer crossing our path—including one waiting for us near the museum when we returned. I even planted a pawpaw seed, a tiny act of giving back to the place that gives so much to me.
✨ Intellectual Wellness:
The guide shared so many interesting facts about the ecosystem, wildlife, and trails. Learning while walking felt like fueling my mind and body at the same time.
✨ Spiritual Wellness:
There’s something grounding and almost sacred about finding your breath in the forest—feeling connected to something bigger, slower, and more peaceful than the daily grind.
✨ Occupational Wellness:
Being out here reminded me why I love what I do. These experiences shape how I support my Ivy Tech students—showing them that wellness doesn’t have to be perfect, intense, or complicated. It just has to be intentional.
✨ Financial Wellness:
Choosing a free guided hike was a beautiful reminder that wellness doesn’t always require a membership, equipment, or spending money. Nature is accessible and generous.
✨ Creative Wellness:
From taking photos to finding beauty in small things (like River posing on a tree stump or the pawpaw seed in my hand), the day sparked creativity and appreciation.
Today wasn’t about pushing myself—it was about choosing myself, in every dimension.
And River? He absolutely loved being part of the adventure (and the center of attention).
🍁 If you’re looking for balance, healing, or just a reset, I encourage you to explore the nine dimensions of wellness in your own life. Start small, start slow, start wherever you are—just start with intention.
Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply show up for ourselves.
