Wellbeing Wednesday: “What’s the Point?” Wellbeing Beyond the Buzz Words and Bubble Bath

Welcome back to Wellbeing Wednesday. Today, I want to ask a question that might seem a bit counterintuitive for a blog like this: What is the actual point of “Wellbeing”?

We are bombarded with the word. It’s on social media, it’s in our work emails, and it’s usually accompanied by images of someone sitting in a field or drinking expensive tea. If we aren’t careful, “wellbeing” starts to feel like just another chore; another thing to fail at if we don’t have the time or the money to do it “properly.”

But as a music therapist, a mum, and someone who has navigated the highs and lows of the performing arts, I’ve come to realise that wellbeing isn’t a destination or a luxury. So, what is the point? Are we just bandying about a word, or is it possible to achieve some state of Wellbeing, without plunging into despair if we haven’t managed to make it into a field with tea?

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1. It’s Not About “Happiness,” It’s About “Resonance”

If the point of wellbeing was to be happy all the time, we’d all be failing. Life is messy. It involves grief, viruses (she says, still 4 weeks into this one), financial stress, and disappointment.

• The Music Therapy Reframe: In music, we don’t just want one note played over and over. We want a full range of frequencies. To me, Wellbeing is embracing and riding the “frequeincies” of your life. It’s about building a foundation so that when the dissonant, “loud” moments of life happen, your instrument doesn’t break.
• The Point: We don’t practice wellbeing to feel “good”; we practice it so we can feel everything without being overwhelmed by it.

2. Protecting Your “Instrument”

Think of your favorite instrument. If it’s never tuned, if the strings are never changed, or if it’s left out in the rain, it will eventually lose its voice.

• The Reality: For many of us, especially freelancers, teachers, and caregivers, we are the instrument. Our energy, our empathy, and our creativity are the tools we use to do our jobs and love our families.
• The Point: Wellbeing is Maintenance. It’s the oil on the gears and the tuning of the strings. If you don’t look after the instrument, the music stops.

3. Reclaiming Your “Agency”

The world is very good at telling us how to feel, how to act, and what to buy. We spend so much of our time in “reactive” mode, responding to emails, notifications, and other people’s needs.

• The Integration: Wellbeing is an act of Rebellion. It’s the moment you stop and say, “For these ten minutes, my needs come first.” Whether it’s a digital detox, a “sonic pause,” or a walk in nature, you are taking back the baton.
• The Point: Wellbeing is the process of moving from being a “background extra” in your life to being the Conductor.

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So, what’s the point?

The point of wellbeing isn’t to create a perfect, stress-free life. The point is to create a life that you are actually present for. It’s about:

• Capacity: Having enough in the tank to handle the “Mars” moments of parenting or the “public critic” of the arts.
• Connection: Being grounded enough to hear the “shared pulse” with the people you love.
• Peace: Being able to sit with your Hiraeth and still feel at home in your Haven.

Wellbeing is the work we do to make sure our “Authentic Self” is the one showing up to the party, not just a frazzled version of who we think we should be.