Growing up, I didn’t realize how ahead of her time my mom really was. From dry brushing to home-cooked meals, she shaped my daily rituals without even trying.
She wasn’t reading wellness blogs or scrolling through the latest health trends. She just knew. Her body knew. Her instincts knew. And now, years later, I’m only beginning to understand just how much she gave me — not through lectures or rules, but through the quiet power of her example.
She was the first person who ever showed me what it looked like to take care of yourself, truly. Here are some of the little things she did that now feel like foundational wellness practices in my own life.
1. Dry Brushing
Before I even knew what “lymphatic drainage” was, my mom had a dry brush hanging in the bathroom. She used it before every shower — gently brushing toward her heart, like it was second nature.
At the time, I thought it was a little strange. Now? It’s one of my favorite rituals for circulation, glow, and grounding.
2. Self-Massage for Lymphatic Flow
She didn’t call it “lymphatic massage.” She just did it. After a bath or before bed, she’d massage her legs or arms with oil — slow, intentional, calming. It was her way of unwinding, but more than that, it was a form of self-love.
Watching her, I learned how healing our own touch can be.
3. Waking Up Early to Move Her Body
My mom was always up at 6 AM. Biking, walking, stretching — movement was a non-negotiable part of her day. She even biked to our cottage with me riding on the back.
She never complained about it or made it seem like a chore. Her energy in the mornings was clear, consistent, and alive. That rhythm of movement, being a gift, not a punishment, has stuck with me ever since.
4. Coconut Oil as Moisturizer
Long before “clean beauty” had a name, my mom kept it simple. Just coconut oil — no fragrance, no chemicals, nothing complicated.
It was what we always had at home, and to this day, it’s still what I reach for when I want to feel nourished, inside and out.
5. Time in Nature Was Mandatory
Weekends weren’t for malls or screens — they were for hiking trails, creek walks, and fishing poles. My mom believed in dirt, fresh air, and sunlight as medicine.
I didn’t know it then, but she was building my immune system, my curiosity, and my connection to the Earth.
6. No Sugar in the House
There were no sugary cereals or sodas in our kitchen. Trust me, I wasn’t thrilled about it growing up. But now? I see what a gift it was.
I never had to “unlearn” sugar addiction or emotional eating. My relationship with food started in balance, and that’s something I’m endlessly grateful for.
7. Home-Cooked Meals, Always
She cooked every night. Nothing fancy, just real food made with love and presence.
Watching her in the kitchen taught me that cooking isn’t just about feeding yourself — it’s about caring, connecting, and creating. It’s why food quality and ritual matter so much to me now.
8. Minimal Makeup, Maximum Confidence
My mom rarely wore makeup. And when she did, it was subtle and intentional. I never saw her “cover up.” I saw her glow.
That quiet confidence shaped how I see beauty as something natural, powerful, and self-defined.
Full Circle, With Gratitude
Looking back, I realize these rituals weren’t trends to her — they were just life. She was simply listening to her body and honoring its needs. And in doing so, she gave me a timeless blueprint for how to care for myself — one I carry with me every day, and one I’m forever grateful for.
Thank you, Mom
xx
Image References: Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 4
