Wellness is more than the number on a scale or how we look on the outside. It is a journey that touches every part of our lives: physical, mental, and emotional. Each day becomes an opportunity to care for ourselves with intention and compassion.
Leya Mnangagwa often speaks about wellness as a journey that requires honesty, patience, and kindness towards ourselves.
Yet behind many wellness journeys are silent battles. These are struggles people carry quietly, often unseen by the world around them.
The Silent Battles Behind Wellness
There were moments in my own wellness journey when words hurt more than any physical challenge. I remember people casually asking, “Are you pregnant again with your third child or your fourth?”
I was not pregnant. But those words stayed with me.
On some days, I would stop at fast food outlets, grab a takeaway, sit in my car, and eat for comfort. Other times I would open the fridge at home and search for something that could momentarily soften the sting.
In that moment, the food felt comforting. But the emotional weight remained, and slowly the weight on my body increased, too.
What I came to realise was that these moments were distractions from the real work of wellness. True wellness requires nurturing both the body and the mind.
When Words Become Wounds
Another memory that stayed with me happened when I overheard someone describing me on the phone as “the fat coloured girl”.
Those words were careless, but they cut deeply.
Perhaps the person who said them thought nothing of it. Yet words have power. They shape how we see ourselves and influence our mental and emotional well-being.
A single sentence can either encourage someone or derail the progress of someone who is trying their best to care for themselves.
The Hidden Struggles Many People Carry
There are many struggles we do not talk about enough.
People living with cancer, diabetes, hormonal imbalances, depression, chronic stress, or other health conditions often face these challenges quietly.
They are learning how to navigate new realities while the world around them continues to speak freely, sometimes without thought.
That is why being mindful of our words matters so much. We never truly know the battles someone is facing.
A word of encouragement can lift someone more than we realise. Sometimes even silence can be kinder than careless comments.
A Gentle Reminder on Your Wellness Journey
If you are on your own wellness journey, remember something important.
Be kind to yourself.
Treat your body and mind with gentleness. Celebrate every small step forward, even when it does not immediately show on the scale or in the mirror.
Your body, your health, and your journey are deeply personal. You understand them better than anyone else.
Some days will feel easier than others. Some days may feel like you have lost your way. That is part of the journey.
Wellness is not a perfect destination. It is a daily commitment to renewing your mind, choosing habits that support your wellbeing, and speaking positively over your life.
The journey of wellness is just as mental and emotional as it is physical.
Protect your peace. Honour your story. Remember that words carry weight.
Use them to encourage. Use them to lift. Use them to support.
Above all, nurture your wellness every single day.
