WELL Summit Boston 2018 | 4 Favorite takeaways

I took some time last night to read through the notes I took at WELL Summit Boston 2018 this past weekend and wanted to share some of my favorite takeaways.  It was such an uplifting day, and I left with pages of ideas, inspirations and action items. 

WELL Summit Boston 2018 | 4 Favorite takeaways

• From Agapi Stassinopolous‘ keynote: COMPARISON IS AN ADDICTION TO LOSING.

I underlined that one.  Twice.  Agapi’s keynote was so encouraging, uplifting, and energizing.  This was actually the only note I took from that session, mostly because I was busy clapping, dancing, and just plain enjoying myself.  I’m planning to go back through her book with a pencil + highlighter — but in the meantime, I’m focusing on that one line whenever I catch myself comparing myself or my situation to others.

• Making healthy changes to your how you care for yourself, your home and your family should not be overwhelming… nor should it feel like a sacrifice.

There are so many safe, effective, beautiful options available to us now.  I am choosing to focus on what we gain (which is a lot) by using safer products, rather than on what we lose (so maybe my new mascara doesn’t stand up quite as well to Sarah McLachlan ASPCA commercials… we can deal).  AND!  Learning about and researching options is the key to staying informed and therefore empowered… rather than fearful and overwhelmed.  

• Consider the messages your diet sends to your children (or loved ones).

This was posed during the Eating WELL panel, which covered current food and diet trends — and this part of the conversation really resonated with me.  As an example, the panelists talked about the concept of cheat days, and how cheating is something we generally don’t accept in all other areas of our lives (work, school, relationships, sports, etc.).  If we need to cheat on how we eat, that’s likely a signal that something needs to be fixed (or at the very least, that this is not a sustainable way of eating).  Knowing that I (obviously) want my children to be healthy and thriving– I need to be mindful of the messages I am sending them through the choices I make for myself.  

• Practice does lead to progress.

There were a number of opportunities throughout the day to meditate (including a sound bath with Sara Auster, which was really amazing), and I noticed (even in a room of 500) how much easier it was for me to quiet my thoughts + surrender to whatever was happening than it had been in years passed (both at this event and others).  I’m coming up on a year of mediating almost every day (I forgot to meditate on Thanksgiving, which really chapped my a-s-s… which was neither a helpful nor a particularly meditative response), and for the first time… I felt aware of my progress.  And it feels good.  I felt similarly proud during Sara Divello‘s yoga practice at the beginning of the day– the act of simply showing up and quietly getting it done pays off, little by little.  

Other highlights included:

• Spending time with some of my favorite women <3
• Acupuncture with the ladies from Yintuition, while people watching + sitting in a beanbag chair
• Chatting with the co-founders of Branch Basics, the safe cleaning company that I am legit in love with (more on this soon)
• Sneaking a peek at some of the Design Center showrooms

P.S. Tickets have just gone on sale for the next WELL Summit event, October 5-6 in Brooklyn.

Also On Tap for Today:

• Starting a support group for parents of carsick toddlers (semi-serious) — mostly we’ll just talk about how sad/gross it is… and also we’ll invent a vom-proof carseat.
• Your ultimate guide to waking up early from Medium
• Looking forward to Yoga Reaches Out on Sunday!

What’s something cool/interesting/wonderful you’ve learned this week?