There’s a myth in the wellness world that balance looks like green smoothies, early bedtimes, and a halo of productivity floating above your head.
Lovely idea — completely unrealistic...
Let me show you what balance actually looked like for me last night.
Picture this: Lounging in our comfy Elysian clothing, a warm dog glued to my side, and a bag of chocolate buttons perched on my stomach like it knows it belongs there. I’d just finished a beautiful Elysian Yoga session, slid into bed before my shower (don’t judge — we’ve all been there), and suddenly fancied something sweet.
Not just any sweet…
Chocolate that melts on your palate.
The type you savour, not scoff.
So I had five chocolate buttons. Five. Not the whole bag. Not a guilt-driven binge. Just enough to hit the spot.
And here’s the point:
Wellness isn’t punishment — it’s permission.
Permission to move your body.
Permission to rest.
Permission to enjoy food without narrating it like a crime scene.
Permission to have a life that feels good, not just looks good online.
Somewhere along the way, “health” got tangled up with extremes:
No carbs.
No treats.
No nights out.
No slowing down.
And suddenly, everyone’s exhausted, anxious, and convinced that one chocolate button is the first step towards chaos.
But balance isn’t built on restriction. It’s built on moderation, kindness, and self-awareness. Sometimes it’s a deep yoga flow and a perfectly portioned meal. Other times it’s satin PJs, a sleepy dog, and a moment of chocolatey bliss.
Both count. Both matter. Both are part of a well life.
When we allow ourselves to enjoy small pleasures without the pressure of perfection, something powerful happens:
Cravings lose their grip.
Exercise becomes joyful, not punishment.
Food becomes nourishment and experience.
Self-discipline feels natural, not forced.
And we stop falling into the all-or-nothing trap.
Balance is not a rigid formula — it’s a relationship with yourself.
Last night, that relationship said:
“You’ve moved. You’ve stretched. You’ve breathed deeply. You want a treat. Have it, enjoy it, and go to sleep happy.”
So I did. And guess what?
Woke up energised, not guilty.
Satisfied, not sluggish.
Human, not perfect — and that’s the goal.
If you take anything from this little bedtime chocolate saga, let it be this:
You’re allowed to enjoy your life.
You’re allowed to choose pleasure without shame.
You’re allowed to define wellness in a way that supports your body and your joy.
Keep your habits strong, your mindset kind, and your snacks in moderation — and you’ll never need to “start again on Monday” ever again.
You’ve got this.
One chocolate button at a time.