The Power of One Small Change

You absolutely do not need to change everything at once.

Sometimes it’s just one small change that creates such a ripple effect, your whole life starts moving.

So even if you feel hopeless and it seems like nothing is working, there are too many things to fix, and you’re just stuck and exhausted — sometimes what you need is to step out of the picture to see it clearly and find that one change that will move the needle for you.

I’ve been there. In 2019, I was deep in study for my first coaching certification, completely overwhelmed, and exhausted beyond measure. That’s when I was introduced to a tool that gave me a much-needed wake-up call: the wellness wheel.

While most of my classmates’ wheels had obvious peaks and valleys, mine looked… perfect. A flawless circle. Balanced.

And tiny. Pathetic, really. I remember staring at it thinking, “Oh my gosh, my life really sucks right now.”

I wasn’t satisfied with a single area of my life. But everything felt too fragile and depleted to even begin improving anything. So I asked myself: What kind of magic would I need to turn this around?

Turns out, it wasn’t magic at all.

The one small change that changed everything

Sleep.

It was the thing that helped me breathe life into that sad little wheel.

It wasn’t an obvious choice at first. I was a sleep-deprived parent, juggling work, studying, and all the responsibilities of life. Sacrificing sleep felt normal. Expected, even.

But once I started prioritizing sleep — consistently and unapologetically — everything else began to fall into place.

• I had the energy to work out again.

• I was less likely to snap at my family.

• I made better food choices.

• I could stay awake through meditation.

• I was more present with my clients.

• I could actually retain the information I was studying.

Sleep turned out to be a foundational shifter — one that made all the other wellness changes possible.

Two more high-impact levers

As I continued to study holistic well-being and coach others, I started seeing a pattern. Sleep wasn’t the only game-changer. There are other shifts that carry a lot of weight in how we feel and function:

2. Social connection

There’s now strong evidence that our social health is just as important — if not more — than our physical or mental health. The quality of our relationships, our sense of belonging, the presence of a village — it all matters.

People with strong social ties tend to recover from illness faster. They’re more resilient. They feel happier and healthier. And it doesn’t take much to start rebuilding this area.

One of my favorite tools? A monthly “to-love” list. Alongside your to-do list, make a list of people you want to reconnect with. Just a few names. Even just one. No pressure for meetups — sometimes all it takes is a thoughtful message.

3. Your environment

Your home, your surroundings — they shape how you feel more than you might think.

If your space is cluttered, disorganized, or chaotic, it can drain your energy and stress your system. But if your environment feels safe, secure, and yours, it can become a place where you truly rest and recharge.

You don’t need a full house transformation. Start with one corner. Make it yours. A space where you can be yourself and let your nervous system finally relax.

Where to start

If everything feels like too much, try looking in these three directions:

• Are you getting enough sleep — and is it quality sleep?

• Does your home feel safe and supportive to you?

• Do you have enough connection to feel like you belong?

Real change doesn’t come from hustle. It comes when you start prioritizing rest and connection.

This was my path back to myself. And if you’re feeling stuck, it could be yours too.

Take a breath. Start small.

🎥 You can also watch this week’s video here: https://youtu.be/cXnx8ATcDEY