The Pursuit of Wellness
A few weeks ago, I recommended one of my favorite newsletters, Maybe Baby, in my Sunday newsletter. On that exact day (which I, of course, did not think was a coincidence), Hayley Nahman, writer of Maybe Baby, released a newsletter entitled ‘Astrology’s relentless appeal: On the mainstreaming of mysticism.’ I immediately became nervous to read one of my favorite writer’s opinions of Astrology, the practice I love so much.
Her assessment was largely negative, but I agreed with a lot of it. Nahman wrote:
“As astrology further proliferated across apps and platforms, worming its way increasingly into mainstream discourse, it started to feel less like a tool for introspection than a tool for stereotyping.”
As with most internet fads, when something goes mainstream it tends to get boiled down into its most basic version, often losing its value and meaning. Nahman’s experience with astrology isn’t representative of what I know astrology to be. Due to the internet’s desperation to partake in astrology as a trend, most people’s first experience with astrology is horoscopes and quick general personality descriptions that could theoretically fit anyone. The complexity of degrees of planetary placements, aspects, synastry, and all of the other facets of astrology cannot be boiled down into a post or even a long-form article. One of my favorite things about astrology is the long and winding way it presents itself. Something catches your interest and all of a sudden, you’re engaged in a lifetime of discovery and exploration. Astrology as a practice mirrors the complexity of human beings. To judge astrology based on one’s exposure to horoscopes and compatibility apps is to, as they say, judge a book by its cover.
Nahman goes on to say:
“Isn’t the idea that we’re entitled to believe things as long as they suit our narrative, or offer us comfort, the very ground upon which most political discourse currently takes place? The mainstreaming of astrology seems, if not an ill portent, at least representative of a broader intellectual apathy.”
The mainstreaming of astrology, as Nahman says, was motivated by human’s eagerness to achieve wellness. In the era of “quick tips” and “how to’s”, we’ve been trained to attempt to have everything and have it fast. We crave to be understood in a world that demands intense productivity and conformity from us. This paved the way for marketers and magazines to capitalize on spiritual practices like astrology.
I recently read an interview with Leslie Stephens where she said:
“There’s the line where practicing physical and mental health is so important. But there’s also the line where it becomes more of a compulsive pursuit, more about becoming well, rather than actually being well enough to enjoy life.”
The truth is, if we’re well enough to enjoy life, we probably don’t need to be distracted by any of the magazines, apps, or products that are serving us a watered-down version of personal growth and wellness. The media is profiting off of wellness, but it doesn’t seem like we’re well.
My only real issue with Nahman’s newsletter is that there are many practitioners out there who do offer expert guidance toward your version of wellness. There are astrologers who are trained to understand the complexities of personalities, there are healers who genuinely care to help you slow down the pursuit of wellness so you can actually be well. Just because the media has caught on to the trend, doesn’t mean there isn’t a genuine need. Beyond the quick guides and horoscopes, there are practitioners worth your attention and money if you truly seek wellness.
On that note, here are two practitioners who are doing genuine work in the wellness space.
Francesca Budesheim, Low Key Spiritual
Francesca is a yoga instructor, therapist, and founder of Low Key Spiritual, a mental health practice that utilizes traditional talk therapy and somatic healing to facilitate therapeutic growth. Francesca’s newsletter offers poignant and actionable advice ideal for those looking for a weekly dose of mindfulness. She is also hosting a New Year yoga retreat in Mexico to rest, restore, and reconnect with yourself and your practice.
Kelli Steckler, The Well Well
Kelli is the founder of the soon-to-be-launched wellness platform, The Well Well, which connects users with wellness practitioners. She has an amazing podcast of the same name which expands the conversation of spirituality, self-development, and holistic healing through weekly conversations with some of the most compelling leaders in the industry. You can listen to my episodes with Kelli here and here!