Sanctuary Wellness: Why I Chose to Slow Down

"Find out who you are and do it on purpose."- Dolly Parton

Sanctuary Wellness: Why I Chose to Slow Down

I always knew I wanted to own my own business. What I didn’t know was how much trial and adjustment it would take to get there.

I had some great mentors and some environments that taught me exactly what I didn’t want. Over time, that led me to reshape my original vision and eventually my business name: Sanctuary Wellness — Health. Hair. Nutrition. I wanted something timeless. Something that could hold all parts of my work, not just one season of it.

I started in hair under Kissed By Lyss, focused on sunkissed blondes. But as I moved through school—kinesiology, functional health, pre-dietetics, and later lab work through the Institute of Restorative Wellness Solutions—I knew my brand needed room to grow. I explored names inspired by coastal living, lounges, and lifestyle trends, but none of them felt grounded enough to last.

One day, while walking past one of my favorite books, the word sanctuary stopped me. In the story, it was a place of rest, clarity, and safety. At the same time, I realized that was exactly what I was searching for in my own life—and what I had found in certain mentors and spaces along the way. Places where I could think clearly, notice my needs, and exist without distraction.

Ironically, shortly after starting my business, my life felt anything but peaceful. I stepped away from hair to finish school, which meant starting over. Personal challenges pulled me away from my work, and for a long time, everything felt loud and chaotic.

The name Sanctuary Wellness forced me to look honestly at what was draining me. Social media. A fast work pace. Constant comparison. No real time to rest, move, or recharge.

I tried for years to “get better” at social media—learning platforms, trends, formats. But just when I caught up, everything changed again. I spent hours creating content that never felt finished, always racing the algorithm, always doubting myself. It took more than it gave.

So I looked backward instead of forward. To a time when phones were connected to walls, when people visited websites, wrote emails, took walks, read books, and talked to each other without an audience. I realized I didn’t need more platforms—I needed a system that worked for me.

That’s when I chose Pinterest and my own website. It allows me to create without the noise. To share my work without constant scrolling. To post imperfectly and move on with my day.

I also slowed my schedule. I limited my salon days while I'm building my wellness programs. I adjusted my services and timing. Hair used to be something people set aside real time for—and while that looks different today, I still believe in unrushed appointments that last, grow out well, and respect your time.

My goal is simple: to create a space that feels like a pause. A place to reset. A sanctuary away from the noise. Natural light. Quiet corners. Textures that feel grounding. Nothing loud, nothing forced. A place that lets you settle instead of perform.

When I photograph my work, it’s done the same way—soft light, real movement, no over-styling. Hair photographed as it exists in real life, not just for a moment online.

This is for people who value fewer things.
If that sounds like you, you’ll feel it the moment you sit down

And this is only the beginning. Sanctuary Wellness will continue to grow, change, and deepen—slowly, intentionally, and with care.