This Hit Me…

"You are not stressed because you are doing too much. You are stressed because you are doing too little of what makes you feel most alive."

When I first read this, I had to pause. It hit me like a truth I didn’t know I needed to hear.

For years, I thought my exhaustion came from the endless to-do lists, the constant juggling of responsibilities, the pressure to keep all the moving pieces of my business, my personal life, and my passions in balance. I told myself that if I could just get more organized, more efficient, or more disciplined, I wouldn’t feel so drained.

But this quote? It made me realize something deeper. I wasn’t just tired. I was disconnected.

I was pouring energy into what had to get done, but I wasn’t making space for what lit me up. The kind of work that doesn’t just require energy but gives it back to you. The moments where you feel your soul exhale—when you’re fully present, fully alive.

For me, that feeling comes when I’m creating. When I’m blending oils, curating scents, and watching someone’s face light up as they craft something that feels personal and meaningful. It comes when I host a workshop, not just teaching but connecting, witnessing the way creativity and self-care intertwine to heal and inspire. It comes in the laughter, the deep breaths of aromatic blends, the quiet moments when someone realizes they deserve this time for themselves.

Yet, there have been times when I’ve let that part slip. When I’ve become so focused on the logistics, the business growth, the numbers, that I forget why I started The Wellness Studio by Cicco Aroma in the first place. And every time I lose touch with that why, stress creeps in. Not just the stress of a full plate, but the stress of missing out on my own joy.

If this resonates with you, I want to ask—when was the last time you did something that made you feel most alive? Not something productive, not something expected of you, but something that fills you up from the inside out?

If you can’t remember, maybe this is your sign to make space for it.

Maybe it’s dancing in your kitchen. Maybe it’s journaling, painting, hiking, or losing yourself in music. Maybe it’s coming to one of our workshops, not because you should but because you want to feel the joy of creating again.

Whatever it is—don’t let it be an afterthought. Don’t wait until burnout forces you to remember what fuels you. Find it now. Make space for it. Let it remind you that you’re not here just to get through the days. You’re here to feel them.

With love and intention,

Madonna

Founder & Owner,

The Wellness Studio by Cicco Aroma