When I was in Morocco for a group exhibition, I caught some kind of flu that completely wiped me out. I remember joking to another artist that my body had betrayed me, that it gave me no warning before shutting down. She smiled softly and said something I’ll never forget: our bodies are always talking to us, we just don’t listen.
She explained that the body doesn’t use words, so it speaks through fatigue, tension, headaches, and even sickness. When we push past those signals, it eventually raises its voice in ways we can’t ignore.
That conversation stayed with me. It inspired a few pieces I created afterward, each one a quiet reminder of how often we neglect ourselves in the name of “getting things done.”
Here are five reasons you could be feeling better, featuring artwork by yours truly, Abi M. Knight.
1. You Don’t Get Enough Sleep
Your body is tired, but you keep moving like rest is optional. Sleep isn’t laziness. It’s maintenance. When you treat rest as something you have to earn, your body eventually takes it for you. The world won’t collapse if you nap. You might just wake up to one that feels lighter.
2. You Don’t Hydrate Enough
You’re running on empty. Hydration isn’t just about water; it’s about refilling your energy and joy too. Replenishment looks different for everyone. Maybe it’s laughter, silence, or sunshine. Whatever it is, drink deeply.
3. You Don’t Ask for Help
You take pride in being the strong one, but strength isn’t measured by how much you can carry alone. The people who love you want to help, but they can’t read your silence. Ask. Receive. Let someone else hold part of the weight for a while.
4. You Stay Quiet to Keep the Peace
You think you’re protecting your peace, but what you’re really doing is abandoning it. Every time you swallow your truth, it sits somewhere in your body: tight shoulders, clenched jaw, uneasy stomach. Speak softly if you must, but speak.
5. You Don’t Set Boundaries
You say yes when your heart says no. You bend until you ache. Boundaries aren’t walls. They’re doors that open toward peace. Each no you say to the wrong thing creates space for the right one.
You Deserve Better
Your body is always speaking, and your spirit is always listening. Maybe it’s time to act on what you already know. Drink water. Rest. Speak up. Say no. Ask for help. These aren’t luxuries. They’re how you stay alive and well in a world that constantly asks for more.
Bring the Reminder Home
If this message resonates, download my Daily Self Care Planner, a free printable designed to help you slow down, check in, and build small habits that support your peace and energy.
It includes gentle reminders to hydrate, rest, move your body, and do one small thing that makes you happy every day. Think of it as a visual cue to stay in tune with yourself, one small act at a time.
Or, if you prefer a lasting reminder, explore my art prints, visual reflections created to remind you that your well-being matters.
Final Thought
Feeling better rarely comes from grand transformations. Most of the time, it begins in the smallest acts: a glass of water, a full night’s rest, a single honest word. Bit by bit, you can create a life that feels as good as it looks.
