It is well.

Vanessa L. Bryant & Christine Platt - UNLEASHED SUMMIT Photo by Whit Hawkins Photography

As we approach the end of the year, it’s so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of busyness—hustling to cross the finish line and preparing for the new year. Our plates can fill up quickly with end-of-year parties, holiday shopping, and the endless to-do lists that come with the season.

This reality hit home for me at the Unleashed Summit, which, if I’m honest, is one of my most cherished days of the year. Surrounded by a community of like-minded souls, I had the honor of sitting on stage with Christine as we discussed her book, Less is Liberation.

In that moment—listening to her talk about the five pillars of wellness, her “wells”—I felt an unsettling truth wash over me. I realized, as if struck by a ton of bricks, that my personal wells were dry. I had been so consumed this last year by busyness—pouring into others and rebuilding my life after divorce—that I had convinced myself that everything was full. But in reality, I was just avoiding the work that needed to be done. I was filling my schedule with distractions to keep from facing the areas of myself that still needed healing.

And I know, I know. My very last blog post was about the importance of choosing yourself. While I understand this concept, I often find myself not practicing it. I tend to fall into the rhythm of self-care only when life forces me to slow down - when I finally hit that concrete wall and am reminded just how essential purposeful stillness and introspection truly are.

Can you relate?

Sitting there on the stage, I could feel a shift beginning to happen within me. I made a commitment then and there that I would spend the last month of the year focusing on evaluating my wells—my physical, emotional, spiritual, mental, and social well-being—so I could begin to fill them once more.

Helping others through their struggles brings me immense joy, yet I realized that in doing so, I often use it as a mask to hide my own needs. The truth is, it’s so much easier to cheer someone else on rather than face our own emotional challenges. I became painfully aware of the danger in continuously prioritizing others over self.

ver myself, leading to a cycle of depletion.

So, as I came down from the high of the Unleashed Summit and reflected on my own journey, I decided not to run myself ragged. I pledged to close the year with enough reserves in my wells—if not full, at least not running on empty.

40 Days of Solitude

Vanessa L. Bryant, photo by Whit Hawkins Photography

That’s when I felt called to embark on a 40-day digital detox and social fast. You might have noticed my absence from social media; I shared with close friends that I was okay, but needed time to get quiet and listen—listen to God and my own voice, to understand what I needed to heal, restore, and refill my wells.

Let me be real with you—solitude has never been my favorite place. Typically, I thrive on the energy of being with others, especially around the holidays. This year, however, felt different. Embracing solitude became the pathway for me to show up for myself in a way that I so often do for others.

"Solitude is where I place my chaos to be quieted and my connection to be nourished. " -Morgan Harper Nichols

This time alone has certainly had its challenges, revealing parts of me that still need care and healing. But amidst the discomfort, I’ve experienced liberation. Guided by Christine’s book, I’ve been assessing my wells and am feeling more equipped to nurture them back to fullness.

As we move closer to 2026, I urge you to ask yourself: How will you prioritize your wellness? Maybe it doesn’t involve adding something new to your plate. Perhaps it means unsubscribing from commitments that drain you, creating space to breathe and be.

In my 40 days of solitude, I’ve learned that in order to escape the overwhelming cycle of self-sacrifice, I must be willing to give up what no longer serves me. And if committing to less allows me to cultivate space for my own happiness, then I'm not losing—I'm gaining. As this time comes to an end, I am excited to engage once again both on social media and in person. This time, however, I approach this engagement with a renewed intention—focusing on avoiding depletion and setting new boundaries to protect my wells.

As we prepare to step into 2026, let's carry forward that spirit of resilience and hope. This new year presents a blank canvas—an invitation to create anew or to continue building on the foundation we've laid.

Take a moment to envision what you want this next chapter to look like. Will you focus on nurturing your wells? Will you prioritize wellness and balance in your life?

I wonder, in what areas of your life do you need to embrace less to make room for true fulfillment? And if you need some help in seeking that I am telling you that Less is Liberation by Christine Platt is a great book to start the year!

Unleashed Summit - Christine Platt - Photo by Whit Hawkins Photography

My anthem for the end of the year is “It Is Well” by Forrest Frank, which is currently playing in the background as I write this. At the close of 2025, I can genuinely say, “It is well,” meaning that I am well and my wells are tended to. This phrase isn’t just a statement; it’s a powerful affirmation. Despite the challenges and joys I've encountered this past year, amidst the ups and downs, I can truly say: It is well with my soul.

I hope you can embrace that same spirit. Acknowledge where you are, how you’re feeling, and recognize that true wellness is always within your reach.

Friend, may this upcoming year be a time for you to invest in yourself, prioritizing your needs and desires. You have the power to choose your joy and the freedom to fill your wells.

With love,

Vanessa