Calm, Collected, and Chronically Overwhelmed

In today’s hyper-digital, rise-and-grind world, “wellness” has become less about actually feeling well, and more like a competitive sport — with matching workout sets and an app subscription. Meditation is scheduled between Zoom calls, therapy is squeezed in on your lunch break (if you’re lucky), and even your sleep tracker is judging you for that midnight TikTok scroll. 

There’s a quiet pressure that comes with trying to take care of yourself in today’s world. 

You want to feel better, more grounded, less anxious. You want to rest. But even rest seems to come with rules now—routines, apps, rituals, and content. And somewhere along the way, “wellness” stopped being something we feel and started being something we’re supposed to do.

However, in the modern world, it’s not enough to feel better—you have to look like you’re feeling better. Preferably with soft lighting, a five-step skincare routine, and a matcha you didn’t spill on your laptop.

Somehow, we went from “drink water and get some sleep” to “rise at 5:00 AM, cold plunge, journal, sun salutation, protein smoothie, gratitude list, inner child check-in, all before work.” By the time you’ve finished your morning routine, you basically need...another break.

We're told to be calm, centered, and balanced. And yet so many of us feel the exact opposite: overwhelmed, burned out, and falling behind—even in our efforts to take care of ourselves. This pressure creates a disconnect between the intention of wellness and how it actually feels in practice. 

Somewhere along the way, “wellness” became a competition: who can relax the hardest? Everywhere you look, there's someone doing wellness better. They're glowing, centered, soft-spoken, and effortlessly chill while you’re scrolling through your camera roll at midnight, trying to remember the last time you didn’t feel vaguely exhausted.

We forgot that taking care of ourselves isn’t about perfection or productivity. It’s about survival. And maybe, on good days, joy.

Sometimes self-care is meditating. Sometimes it's canceling plans and lying face down on your bed in total silence. Sometimes it's crying in the shower to a sad playlist from 2014. Other times? It’s doing nothing and refusing to feel bad about it. So yes, light the candle. Or don’t. Go for a walk. Or lie on the floor and stare at the ceiling. Skip the journaling prompt and write “I’m tired” 17 times. That’s valid. That’s enough.

Because sometimes, the most radical self-care is simply whispering, “This is a lot,” and letting that be true.

Strike Out,

Orlando

Written by Elena Trépanier

Edited by Liv Wagner & Sarah Franquelo

Elena Trépanier is a staff writer for Strike Magazine Orlando. She is a senior at the University of Central Florida majoring in Psychology (neuro track) and minoring in Journalism Studies. When she’s not writing, you can find her at a concert, curled up with a good book, or teaching herself how to play the guitar—one chord at a time. Her work is fueled by connection, memory, and a love for capturing the beauty in everyday chaos. For any inquiries reach out at elena.trepanier@gmail.com, or @lleneaa on Instagram.