At TNTW, we honor the wholeness of wellness—physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and intellectual.

But wellness doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Our individual well-being is deeply shaped by the environments we live in and the systems that surround us.

When we talk about living well,

we must also talk about the external structures that make wellness more accessible—or more difficult to reach.

The Political Roots of Well-Being

Life expectancy and quality of life vary drastically depending on where someone is born, what neighborhood they live in, and what resources they can access.

Access to:

• Nourishing food

• Clean water

• Safe housing

• Quality education

• Healthcare

• Green space

• Community support

…are not luxuries—they are foundational components of wellness.

It’s easy to frame wellness as purely personal.

But the truth is: systems matter. 

• In under-resourced communities, fresh produce may be scarce while fast food is plentiful.

• In rural or economically disadvantaged areas, mental health services may be hours away—or nonexistent.

• In communities impacted by systemic injustice, stress isn’t episodic.

  It’s chronic, generational, and often unaddressed.

These are not personal failings.

They are the consequences of political decisions, zoning policies, public funding priorities, and social inequities.

The Interplay Between Personal Wellness and Social Systems

Our wellness is layered:

• Physically, we need nutritious food, clean air, and accessible healthcare

• Mentally and emotionally, we need safety, rest, and regulation

• Spiritually, we need connection—to ourselves, to others, to something greater

• Intellectually, we need access to education and expression

Without equitable infrastructure, pursuing wellness becomes harder and more isolated.

When we name that, we can approach wellness with more compassion—for ourselves and for others.

Awareness + Advocacy = Holistic Healing

We don’t share this to diminish your personal power, but to expand your awareness.

Being well in an unwell system is possible—

but it requires intention, grace, and often, advocacy.

Here’s how we begin:

• Stay aware of the systems influencing your wellness

• Advocate for better—whether it’s parks, food access, healthcare, or education

• Build collective care—wellness is not meant to be pursued alone

Reflection & Integration

• Where have you had to work harder to access wellness resources?

• What systems or environments have shaped your well-being?

• How can you honor your journey and advocate for more just conditions?

Wellness is personal, but it’s also political.

It’s spiritual, but it’s also systemic.

The more we understand this, the more powerful our healing becomes—not just for ourselves, but for the collective.

Be well. Stay awake. And wherever you can, build the world your well-being deserves. 

This is your True North.

And you are not walking it alone.

🔒 Members Only

Access The Community Advocacy Guide in the Members Area for deeper tools, actions, and reflection prompts on collective wellness and change-making.