Finding Harmony: My Journey into Wellness, Eastern Traditions, and Sustainable Living
Embracing Change: A New Chapter in Wellness & Intentional Living
Change is a natural part of life, and sometimes, it leads us exactly where we’re meant to be. As I transition Metsä Cosmetics away from a product-based business, I’m excited to introduce a new direction—one that focuses on something even deeper: a mindful, intentional lifestyle. While the shop is closing, my passion for wellness, sustainability, and holistic living remains at the heart of everything I do.
This new blog series will be a space where I explore the art of balanced living, drawing inspiration from Eastern traditions, sustainable practices, organic wellness, feng shui, and the small, intentional choices that create a more harmonious life. Each month, we’ll dive into a new topic—whether it’s embracing ancient rituals, nourishing ourselves through seasonal eating, or creating a home that fosters tranquility. My goal is to inspire and guide you toward a life that feels more aligned, connected, and fulfilling.
This is just the beginning of an exciting journey, and I can’t wait to share it with you.
A Year of Intentional Living: What to Expect from This Blog Series
As Metsä evolves into a space for deeper conversations about wellness, sustainability, and intentional living, I want to take a moment to share what this new journey will look like. This blog series will be structured with themes, each diving into a specific aspect of holistic well-being, cultural wisdom, and mindful living. My goal is to create a resource that not only inspires but also provides practical steps to incorporate these elements into everyday life.
Here are some of the core topics I’ll be exploring throughout the year:
Wellness & Holistic Living – From ancient healing practices to modern self-care, we’ll explore how to nurture the mind, body, and spirit through a balanced and intentional lifestyle.
Feng Shui & Home Energy – Our environment plays a crucial role in our well-being. We’ll discuss how to cultivate a harmonious home using Feng Shui principles to enhance energy flow, clarity, and peace.
Shinto & Mindfulness in Daily Life – Inspired by Japanese traditions, we’ll look at how simple, intentional rituals can bring more presence, gratitude, and serenity to daily routines.
Japanese & Chinese Cultural Traditions – These ancient cultures hold timeless wisdom about balance, nature, and well-being. We’ll explore practices like tea ceremonies, seasonal living, and ancestral traditions that can enrich our modern lives.
Sustainable & Plant-Based Living – Living in harmony with nature is at the core of wellness. We’ll discuss sustainable habits, plant-based eating, and eco-conscious choices that support both personal health and the planet.
All of these topics are deeply interconnected. Holistic well-being isn’t just about what we eat or how we exercise—it’s about creating harmony in all aspects of life. The energy in our home influences our mood, our cultural rituals shape our mindset, and the way we interact with nature impacts our inner peace. By embracing a well-rounded, intentional approach, we can cultivate a lifestyle that is both fulfilling and sustainable.
This journey will be structured with a monthly theme, allowing us to dive deep into each subject, providing guidance, reflections, and actionable steps along the way. Whether you’re looking to simplify your routine, reconnect with nature, or bring more peace into your home, I hope this blog will serve as both inspiration and a guide toward a more intentional way of living.
My Personal Journey
I have been a vegetarian for half a decade, but in many ways, it feels like a natural extension of who I’ve always been. Even as a child, I never ate much meat—not because I was told not to, but because I simply couldn’t separate it from the living, breathing animal it once was. I've always had a deep love and respect for all living beings, and as a sensitive person by nature, the idea of contributing to their suffering has never sat right with me.
For me, vegetarianism isn’t just about diet—it’s about alignment. I don’t enjoy the taste of meat and have always found it a bit unsettling, so choosing to exclude it from my life has never felt like a sacrifice. Instead, it’s a choice that reflects my values and allows me to nourish myself in a way that feels both fulfilling and compassionate. My diet is balanced, satisfying, and full of variety, proving that we don’t have to compromise our ethics to enjoy food that fuels both body and soul.
Eastern Traditions
For years, I’ve been deeply drawn to Japanese culture—almost as long as I’ve been a vegetarian. What started as a fascination gradually became a more immersive journey, shaping the way I view the world and my place within it. As I explored Japanese traditions, it felt only natural to expand my learning into Chinese culture as well, uncovering the deep connections and shared philosophies between the two.
Through this, I was introduced to the Chinese practice of Feng Shui and the indigenous Japanese religion of Shinto—both of which have profoundly influenced my perspective on harmony, nature, and daily life. Feng Shui has helped me understand the energy of my surroundings and how intentional design can cultivate balance, while Shinto has deepened my appreciation for the sacredness found in the natural world. These practices, along with my ongoing exploration of Eastern traditions, continue to shape my lifestyle in meaningful ways.
Tea Rituals
"Tea is more than an idealization of the form of drinking; it is a religion of the art of life."
— Kakuzo Okakura, The Book of Tea
Finding Myself
There wasn’t one single moment that led me to "find myself" or set me on this path of self-discovery. It was a natural progression—something that happens when you're open to new experiences and allow life to guide you. I’ve always felt a deep need to keep growing, learning, and searching for something more, though for a long time, I wasn’t sure what that was.
Looking back, I realize that what I was missing was connection—true, unfiltered connection to the world around me. I’ve always felt most alive when I’m surrounded by nature, whether on a quiet hike or deep in the forest with no one else around. That’s where I feel human, where I feel at home. But the modern world isn’t built to accommodate this kind of existence. Careers, responsibilities, and daily obligations constantly pull us away from where we belong.
Shinto has helped me bridge that gap. It has given me a way to honor nature even when I can't be fully immersed in it. It’s a reminder that the sacred can be found in the simplest moments, that the natural world is always present, waiting to welcome us back.
I live near the Smoky Mountains, and the park itself is one of the few places where I truly feel at home. But just outside of it, the world feels different—detached, constantly changing, and moving in a direction that feels at odds with the connection to nature I crave. My hometown has transformed over the years, with more development, more land being bulldozed, and more of the mountains being carved away to make space for tourism—hotels, gift shops, chain restaurants. The very thing that draws people here, the untouched beauty of the Smokies, feels like it’s being chipped away, bit by bit, in the name of monetary gain.
It’s hard to feel connected to nature when the place you live seems to be working against it. It often feels like I’m caught between two worlds—the one where I want to honor and preserve the natural world, and the other that prioritizes convenience, expansion, and profit. If they could, they’d flatten the mountains themselves to build an even bigger resort, not realizing that the land and peace of itself is what brings people here in the first place.
Home
“In the mountains, there you feel free.”
— T.S. Eliot
Beyond the environmental struggles, the lifestyle in the South presents its own challenges, particularly when it comes to health and wellness. Culturally, there isn’t the same emphasis on mindful living, balance, or nutrition as there might be in other places. Traditional Southern food is rich and comforting but often lacks the variety of nourishment our bodies truly need. Prioritizing a plant-based, whole-food diet can feel isolating when fried foods and processed meals are the norm. It’s difficult not only to care for yourself in this environment but also to watch those around you struggle with preventable health issues, knowing that small changes could make a huge difference. But change is hard when it goes against everything a community has known for generations.
Living an Eastern-inspired lifestyle in this environment can be a challenge. Shinto, feng shui, and the mindful connection to nature that I’ve embraced often feel out of place in a world that prioritizes consumerism and instant gratification. But that only makes my journey more important. It reminds me why I choose this path—to protect what I love, to find peace amidst the chaos, and to create a life that aligns with what I truly value.
You can see my journey through Instagram and Pinterest at the links below. Check out my Spotify playlists as well - I have many!
The Balance Collective
This blog will be a space for exploration, learning, and growth, with new posts published every other week for eight weeks and a one-week break in between cycles. Every blog cycle will center around a specific theme—whether it's mindfulness, sustainability, Eastern traditions, or holistic wellness—giving us the chance to dive deep into these topics in a meaningful way. Within each cycle’s theme, every post will focus on a different aspect, building a well-rounded understanding that is both insightful and practical.
This space is designed for everyone, whether you’re just beginning your journey into mindful living or you’ve been exploring these ideas for years. If you're new to feng shui, Shinto, plant-based living, or holistic wellness, this blog will serve as a welcoming guide to help you ease into these practices. If you’re already well-versed in these areas, I hope this space brings new perspectives, inspiration, and a sense of community. We’re all on this journey together, continuously learning and evolving.
Through these posts, I want to create a space that not only informs but also encourages discussion, reflection, and personal growth. Whether you're looking to make small lifestyle shifts or embrace a more profound transformation, I invite you to join me on this path of balance, mindfulness, and connection to the world around us.
I’d love to hear your thoughts as we embark on this journey together! Whether you're new to these topics or have experience with them, your insights, questions, and perspectives are always welcome. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts, experiences, or what you’re most excited to learn about. And if you enjoyed this post, don’t forget to like it—it helps build our community and keeps the conversation going. Let’s grow and explore together!
I’m so excited to begin this journey and build a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about wellness, sustainability, and living in harmony with the world around us. This blog is a space for exploration, learning, and meaningful conversations, and I can’t wait to share this experience with you. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a post, and follow along on Instagram (@metsacosmeticsllc) and Pinterest (@metsacosmetics) for even more inspiration.
On April 20th, we’ll dive into Feng Shui and explore simple, practical tips to create a balanced and harmonious home. Stay tuned, and don’t forget to leave a comment below—I’d love to hear from you! Until then, you can check out my Instagram and Pinterest which will be active weekly, and check out the free downloads available on our site! These free downloads include, Feng Shui Monthly Calendars, Guides, etc! New content monthly!
