Words by Imane Belhabes, Founder of WellnessWonderz
Forget resolutions. Forget the pressure to completely overhaul your life. October has quietly emerged as the new January, but without the guilt. More people are embracing a “soft launch” to wellness: small, intentional resets that prioritize consistency over intensity.
It’s a subtle shift, and it’s working. Instead of leaping into an all-or-nothing routine, people are easing back into fitness, nutrition, and self-care habits in ways that feel sustainable; and dare we say, joyful. This new approach is less about perfection and more about intention. It’s about showing up for yourself without the pressure of hitting impossible goals.
Here, Imane Belhabes, Founder of WellnessWonderz, shares her favourite ways to start a soft wellness reset:
- Rituals Over Routines
The first key step to a soft wellness approach is rituals. Unlike rigid routines, rituals are mindful, sensory experiences that make wellness feel less like a chore and more like a treat. Imagine sipping warm lemon water while watching the sunrise, lighting a scented candle before a few stretches, or journaling a single thought of gratitude before checking your phone. These small acts anchor your day in calm, focus, and intention.
Wellness experts emphasize that rituals are your superpower: they reduce stress, lower cortisol, and give your day a sense of purpose, all without demanding an early wake-up call, extreme diets, or intense workout sessions. They are a simple, effective way to reclaim control over your day, even when life feels hectic.
- Small Steps, Big Impact
The mantra of the soft launch is simple: start absurdly small. You don’t need 30 minutes of meditation, a green smoothie, and a full workout to “count.” One minute of deep breathing, a few stretches, or even reading a page from an inspiring book can set the tone for your entire day. The magic lies in consistency, not perfection.
- Easy Ways to Start Your Soft Wellness Reset
- Focus on sensation: Make your ritual feel good to your senses – taste, smell, touch. Let each small act bring joy.
- Use anchors: Place your yoga mat by your bed, your journal on the kitchen counter, or a candle in a visible spot. Let these cues gently remind your brain to engage in your ritual.
- Pick one small act: Try the 1-Minute Journal, mindful hydration, scent & silence, or reading a page from an inspiring book. One action is enough to start building momentum.
As routines settle post-summer and the season shifts, October offers the perfect moment for subtle transformation, without the intimidation of a New Year’s resolution or societal pressure to “go hard.”
Wellness in October isn’t about extremes, it’s about intention. It’s about showing up for yourself, little by little, and letting small, consistent acts build into something meaningful. When your mornings feel intentional and joyful, the rest of your day follows. That’s the beauty of the soft launch: a wellness reset that doesn’t punish, but nurtures. Because sometimes, the smallest changes have the biggest impact.
For more information, visit wellnesswonderz.com or @wellnesswonderzme.
