My Honest Mid-Year Wellness Update on New Year Resolutions
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My June Wellness Check-In: A Mid-Year Reflection on New Year Resolutions
Among all the beauty and warmth, June is also the time for mid-year summaries, reflections and perhaps adjusting directions. The end of this month will close the sixth chapter of twelve, giving you a reason to slow down and look back before we all get pulled into the preparations for (and anticipation of) Autumn and Christmas, as we look forward to the best 'BER' part of the year.
Let’s slow down just a little bit more and reassess not only the past six months, but also how we want to proceed in the second half of this year.
As we enter June, my personal mood is definitely shifting. I think I’m feeling the ancient call of my ancestors, reminding me that Summer isn’t a time to waste, but a time to work and prepare for the colder months. So, we’re busy in the studio, getting ready for Autumn, which, in retail, arrives much earlier than September! Andrei and I are excited and looking forward to being fully settled in our new studio by then. We talk and think about Autumn daily, testing new scents and sourcing cosy, rustic home decor for our upcoming autumn collection.
This Sunday 8/06/2025, I’m starting my first mindful Autumn Countdown here on the blog. I’ve been doing them for years now as short-form videos, but I’ve grown tired of fast-paced, brain-rot content. So this year, I’m doing it better. Visit the blog on Sunday, the 8th of June, for the first post, which will also serve as an introduction to the series.
Since June feels like a real turning point for me - both in business and in my overall mood - I thought it would be a good time to look back over the past six months. Many of you enjoyed my New Year wellness resolutions, so I wanted to share an honest update on how I’ve been doing so far this year
1. Ginger, Herbs and Warm Water
Okay, so the first point is a bit “so-so.” I didn’t really stick to drinking ginger tea. I’m happy to add slices to black or raspberry tea, but not on its own. On the other hand, I’ve got much better at drinking water in general, warm or cold so there is definitely improvement on this front.
2. Embracing Natural Hair
Yes! This is something I’m actually very proud of. As of June 2025, I oil my hair the night before a wash (I wash it in the morning) and I only use a hairdryer - no other hot tools for styling.
The difference in my hair is massive. What six months without bleaching or heat tools can do! My hair has grown longer and thicker and I don’t end up with a ton of crumbling ends every time I brush it.
When it comes to drying and styling, I focus the hairdryer on my scalp rather than the ends, then brush my hair and roll it into a loose bun at the back of my head, secured with a big, soft silk scrunchie. It gives me soft waves that I hope will only get better as my hair grows healthier.
I’m also loving being back to my natural brown hair. Of course, I’m biased, but I really think it suits me better.
A note about hair drying: I choose to still use a dryer rather than let my hair dry naturally, for multiple reasons. One is timing: I can’t wait hours for my hair to dry. Second, after doing some research, I learned that letting your hair air dry can actually increase frizz and isn’t great for your scalp. Drying hair with medium heat is probably the safest, though I do use the high setting often.
3. Yoga
I feel like with the move to our new house, a new chapter will open in my yoga practice. I’ll have much more space for time on the mat - both in our cosy bedroom for slower practices like yin yoga and downstairs in the living or dining room, where the hard floors are more suitable for faster flows.
I’m especially excited about our outdoor space. Although we have neighbours on both sides, the way the houses are positioned means you can’t really see into one another’s patios so I’ll have privacy and peace to practice!
I’m sure this will reflect in my videos and writing, as they very much mirror my daily life. I’m looking forward to sharing more on this front soon.
4. Cutting Down Sugar
Oh dear :) Although my sugar intake is nowhere near the November–December levels, and most days I manage to stick to one sweet treat per day, I also don’t say no to a cheeky pastry in town or the occasional biscuit.
I consider myself a pretty reasonable person and I believe in balance. Sugar isn’t the enemy and cutting it out completely isn’t necessary. But at the same time, overconsumption is a serious issue in today’s society and I’m not immune to the delights of sugar-packed foods either.
I’ll continue on my path to keeping sugar in check, enjoying extra treats when the occasion allows (like a coffee date with a friend) rather than stuffing my mouth at every opportunity, lol!
5. Gut Health
I’m doing brilliantly here and I want to encourage you to get serious about your gut and overall health too.
I rarely talk about my health, but it’s no secret that after years of struggling, I was diagnosed with IBD. Since then, I’ve really started looking into what I eat to manage my symptoms with as little medication as possible.
Unfortunately, I’ve found that cruciferous vegetables are only okay for me in minimal doses and spaced far apart. I now avoid broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage (gosh, how I miss fresh cabbage salads!). In the last six months, my body has felt great, with only minor inflammation - which was confirmed by doctors after a rather unpleasant procedure (I’ll spare you the details, lol!).
Why am I telling you this? Because getting my results in late May, which confirmed cancer-free status and minimal to no inflammation, felt like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. A weight I didn’t even realise I was carrying.
My website is visited daily by hundreds of women and at least a couple thousand will read this blog post in weeks and months to come.
Please, check your health. Don’t skip that Pap smear. Don’t ignore a mammogram invitation. Ask your GP for blood tests if you feel “off.” Don’t put it aside for later.
Conditions like cancer, diabetes or heart disease are easier to treat or even prevent when caught early. It’s not just about you, but your family and the people who love and care for you.
Closing words
Thank you if you’ve been here over the past six months or even longer. Your support is never taken for granted. In the vast ocean of online content, I truly appreciate those who choose to spend their precious time with me. I’m looking forward to the rest of the year, especially the 'BER' months, sharing our candles, home decor, writings and videos with you!
What about you? What’s worked and what hasn’t for you over the past six months? Are you planning to shift anything as we head into the second half of the year?
Much love,
Adriana x
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