Finding my ground: A well-being journey rooted in gratitude and growth
By Sarder Sadid, PharmD
What does it mean to truly prioritize well-being? For me, it was not always something I focused on intentionally. It became something I had to relearn.
After a challenging 2024 marked by moving to a new city and starting a new job, I entered 2025 feeling ungrounded and emotionally fatigued. While change often brings opportunity, too much of it at once can quietly erode balance. That realization became the starting point of my well-being journey, a decision to slow down, reflect, and rebuild with intention.
Why I chose to begin this journey
Relocating and stepping into a new professional role at the same time meant rebuilding many aspects of my life simultaneously. Familiar routines disappeared, relationships felt distant, and I placed pressure on myself to adapt quickly without acknowledging how much had shifted internally. By the start of last year, it became clear that pushing forward without reflection was unsustainable. I needed to create space to reconnect with myself and regain stability.
Putting myself out there socially became one of the most important steps I took. Making new friends required vulnerability and patience, but it proved instrumental. Community provided grounding and perspective, reminding me that growth does not happen in isolation. Through connection, I learned that allowing myself to be seen while still evolving was an act of courage and self-respect.
Practices that supported gratitude and growth
Meditation and journaling became central to my daily routine. Meditation helped me stay present and respond to challenges with greater calm rather than reactivity. Journaling became a space for gratitude. Taking time each day to reflect on even the smallest positives shifted my mindset and helped me recognize progress rather than focus on what felt unfinished.
Self-compassion was equally transformative. Learning to be kind to myself, especially on difficult days, gave me strength rather than complacency. Releasing unrealistic expectations and meeting myself with patience built emotional stability and confidence. Physical activity also played a key role. Regular gym sessions helped regulate stress, improve energy, and reinforce discipline and self-trust. Prioritizing sleep hygiene further supported this growth by improving my mood, focus, and ability to show up fully.
Making time for hobbies became another important pillar of well-being. Cooking proved especially therapeutic, allowing me to slow down and find comfort in creating something tangible. Reading offered perspective and mental escape, while watching sports brought joy, connection, and familiarity during periods of change. These moments reminded me that well-being is not only about self-improvement, but also about allowing space for pleasure.
Looking ahead with intention
This well-being journey taught me that growth is built through gratitude, patience, and kindness toward oneself. I learned to never give up on myself, even during moments of doubt. As 2026 has arrived, I feel optimistic and grounded. I look forward to deepening the connections I have built and continuing to invest in my physical and mental health.
My well-being resolutions are simple but meaningful: to practice gratitude daily, protect my rest, nurture my interests, and speak to myself with compassion. With this foundation, I move forward grateful for how far I have come and hopeful for what lies ahead.
Sarder Sadid, PharmD, a consultant at Molekule Consulting, lives in Charlotte, NC. A strong advocate for both pharmacists and patients, he is passionate about advancing the profession through education and collaboration. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking, reading, practicing meditation, and cheering on his favorite sports teams.