Hi, I’m Maya Sterling, and I’m so glad you’re here.
Elective Well is my little corner of the internet for people who want to feel a little better in their bodies and a little calmer in their minds, without turning life into a strict “before and after” project. If you’ve ever tried to get healthy and ended up feeling overwhelmed, guilty, or like you were failing at a routine you didn’t even enjoy, you are in the right place.
I’m a wellness coach and lifestyle writer, and I love helping you turn wellness trends and big self-care ideas into bite-sized habits that fit into real life. The kind of habits you can actually keep, because they feel like kindness, not punishment.
What I mean by “coach” and “evidence-informed”: I’m not a clinician. My work is focused on habit-building, routines, and practical support, using widely accepted basics and behavior change research (think: sleep hygiene principles, stress regulation tools, and common-sense nutrition foundations). I translate the stuff that can feel overwhelming into simple experiments you can try, keep, or toss.
A quick note on scope: Everything here is educational and experience-based, not medical advice. I don’t diagnose, treat, prescribe, or create medical meal plans. If you’re navigating a health condition, medications, disordered eating, or specific nutrition needs, I always encourage you to partner with a licensed clinician who knows your full story.
How I got here
In my twenties, I worked as a corporate event planner. It was fast-paced, detail-heavy, and adrenaline-fueled. I was good at it, and I genuinely loved parts of it, but my nervous system was basically living on coffee , deadlines, and “I’ll rest later.”
At some point, it hit me that my calendar was full, but I didn’t feel well. I wasn’t listening to my body, sleeping deeply, or eating in a way that supported me. Even my time off didn’t feel like time off, because I was too wired to slow down.
So I did something that felt radical at the time. I intentionally slowed down for a year. Not perfectly. Not in a dramatic, move-to-a-mountain-cabin way. More like choosing gentler mornings, learning how to cook without rules, taking walks that weren’t about steps, and creating a home that felt restorative instead of chaotic.
That year introduced me to what I now call elective wellness. Wellness you choose because it supports you, not because you’re trying to fix yourself.
Healthy living, here
I believe healthy living should feel like a joyful series of choices, not a strict regimen or a medical chore. Of course, health can be complex and personal, and not every day is going to feel light and easy. But the foundation can still be supportive, realistic, and human.
On Elective Well, “Healthy Living” is less about chasing perfection and more about building trust with yourself.
It looks like:
- Mind: journaling, gentle mindset shifts, tools for stressful days, and boundaries that actually fit your life
- Body: restorative movement, intuitive nourishment , and routines that help you feel more like you
- Spirit: tiny moments of meaning, gratitude without pressure, and practices that feel grounding rather than performative
- Home: cozy systems, sensory comfort, simple organizing, and calming routines that make supportive habits easier to reach for
What to expect
Think of this site like a supportive best friend who also happens to love habit-building and practical wellness tools. I’m here to help you feel encouraged and capable, especially on the days when motivation is low and life is loud. I aim to keep things evidence-informed where it makes sense, and always grounded in real life.
You’ll find:
- Simple routines that don’t require a personality transplant
- Low-pressure nutrition ideas, including intuitive cooking and “good enough” meals
- Restorative movement you can do when you’re tired, stressed, or short on time
- Supportive home tips like simple organizing, calming routines, and small layout tweaks that make daily life feel easier
- Gentle resets for when you feel off-track and want to start again without shame
To make this extra tangible, here are a few examples of the kinds of things we do around here:
- A 10-minute gentle reset: drink a glass of water, open a window, do a 3-minute stretch, then write one line in your journal: “What would feel supportive today?”
- A “good enough” meal template: something warm + something crunchy + a protein you like (for example: rice + sautéed veggies + eggs, tofu, or chicken)
- A low-effort movement option: a slow walk around the block or a short mobility flow while the kettle boils
My promise is to keep things accessible and doable. If a habit only works for people with unlimited time, unlimited money, or unlimited willpower, it’s probably not what we’re doing here.
A personal note
I live in Austin, Texas with my golden retriever, Barnaby, who is both a very good boy and a strong advocate for midday fresh air breaks.
My days are a blend of client work, writing, testing simple recipes, rearranging a corner of my home to feel more peaceful, and reminding myself that “healthy” is not a finish line. It’s a relationship. And like any relationship, it gets better with attention, honesty, and a little tenderness.
Welcome
If you’re craving a healthier life that still feels like your life, I’m honored to be part of your journey. Start small. Pick one habit that sounds comforting or interesting. Try it for a week. Celebrate the tiny wins. Adjust as you go.
You don’t have to earn rest. You don’t have to punish your body into change. You get to choose what supports you.
Elective Well is your reminder that wellness can be warm, realistic, and genuinely enjoyable.
Not sure where to begin? Start with the 10-minute Gentle Reset , then join the newsletter for one small, doable practice each week.
Welcome to Elective Well. I’m so happy you found us.
