Many of us move through life believing that change has to be dramatic to make a difference.
We imagine that wellbeing requires a complete life overhaul - a new routine, more discipline, or somehow becoming a “better” version of ourselves overnight.
But in my recent conversation with Dr. Janine Van Someren, author of The Well-being Advantage, we explored a very different perspective.
Janine’s work reminds us that the most meaningful transformation rarely comes from radical change. Instead, it grows quietly through small, consistent habits that support us in everyday life.
After more than 25 years working across high-performance sport, academia and corporate consulting, Janine has seen first-hand how pressure and stress can affect even the most capable and successful people. Her approach to wellbeing is also deeply shaped by her own personal experiences with mental health challenges and recovery.
What emerged from our conversation was a compassionate and refreshing truth:
Wellbeing is not about doing more.
It’s about learning to care for ourselves in ways that genuinely work for us.
Each of us is different. Our lives, responsibilities, personalities and nervous systems are unique. What energises one person may overwhelm another. This is why Janine encourages people to step away from rigid wellbeing formulas and instead discover the small habits that help them feel balanced, supported and alive.
Sometimes these habits are beautifully simple - pausing to breathe, stepping outside for fresh air, connecting with someone we trust, or allowing ourselves a moment of rest in the middle of a busy day.
When we begin to build these small moments into our lives, something powerful happens. We start to move with life rather than constantly pushing against it.
And slowly, gently, we begin to experience what Janine calls the wellbeing advantage.
Sometimes the most meaningful changes in our lives begin quietly.
Not with a dramatic shift, but with a gentle pause.
A moment of awareness.
A small habit repeated with care.
As my conversation with Dr. Janine Van Someren reminds us, wellbeing is not about striving for perfection. It is about learning to support ourselves in ways that honour who we are as individuals.
And when we begin to build those small moments of care into our days, we often discover something unexpected.
Life begins to feel lighter.
More balanced.
More in flow.
Listen to the Full Conversation
If this topic resonates with you, I invite you to listen to my full conversation with Dr. Janine Van Someren on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast.
In this episode, Janine shares practical insights and how simple daily habits can help you cultivate greater resilience, balance and wellbeing.
About the Author
Sharon Fitzmaurice is a Holistic Wellness Coach, Reiki Master Teacher and Practitioner, Clinical Hypnotherapist, author, speaker and host of The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast, a show that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit.
She is the author of Someone Please Help Me, So I Did and Awaken Your Wellbeing, and the founder of the Soulful Journeys online community. Through her work, Sharon supports people in reconnecting with their inner strength, cultivating wellbeing and creating meaningful, lasting change in their lives.