Wellness Lessons from My Dad: The Wisdom of Simplicity
This Father’s Day, I’m reflecting on one of my greatest wellness role models: my dad.
In a world constantly chasing the next big health hack, my dad reminds me that you don’t need the latest gadget or trend to live well. His version of wellness is rooted in simplicity, joy, and intentional living.
He starts his day with coffee and ends it with a good book or a few minutes feeding the hummingbirds. He enjoys a donut now and then without guilt, and he finds peace on his pontoon boat or in his workshop tinkering with his latest project. He lives simply, but fully.
In a world where we are all constantly connected and be bombarded with news and influencers, he keeps his average screen time to seven minutes a day. If it creeps up any higher, he gets concerned. (Most of those minutes are spent checking WeatherBug. Priorities.)
What inspires me most is how he’s conducted his life with unwavering clarity around what matters. When it came to work, he gave his time and energy during work hours, took overtime when it made sense—but he never brought it home. Work stayed at work. That boundary gave him space to be fully present in the rest of his life.
He always made time for his hobbies and protected them fiercely. Fishing, tinkering, building, organizing, family —these weren’t just pastimes, they were part of how he maintained his well-being. His time was intentional. His energy was well-spent.
And yet, he’s always been the first one there when someone needs help. With gentle guidance, practical lessons, and a toolbox, he’s our family MacGyver. Literally. He knows so many random facts because he’s curious about the world and always learning. I like to tap into his knowledge base by asking him lots of questions, but if I ask too many, he will reply with “google it”. Encouraging me to figure out the answers myself and probably more so, to protect his own peace.
He’s a man of strong boundaries, strong opinions, and great one-liners. (One of my personal favorites? "Having kids is overrated." Which, yes, he said to me—his only child. I still laugh at this one because I know he meant it to be supportive of my choices not a personal attack…or was it? Ha!)
Watching him age with ease and groundedness has helped me reframe what it means to be healthy. It’s not about perfection, but about alignment. About honoring what feels good, staying connected to your rhythm, and resisting the urge to overbook and overcomplicate.
My dad has always stayed true to himself and his values. He just kept showing up for his own life, with clarity, purpose, and a whole lot of duct tape.
This Father’s Day, I’m honoring the man who taught me that wellness doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful. Sometimes it just looks like time in nature, a good book, and knowing when to say no. Happy Father’s Day, DAK. Thanks for showing me how to live well—on your own terms.
DAK’s Guide to Wellness:
Prioritize daily movement for longevity and mood- “Keep Truckin’ “, as he’d say.
Finding peace in hobbies that connect you to nature and self
Avoiding fads and sticking with what’s worked for YOU
Emotional regulation and routine support hormonal and nervous system balance
Grounded, joyful aging matters for navigating life’s transitions
Limit your screen time and read a book
Know your values and boundaries
Enjoy the little things and treat yourself
At Auratonomy, I believe wellness is personal, grounded, and often rooted in what’s always felt good. If you’re ready to ditch the noise and return to the practices that truly nourish you—let’s connect.
Loves a good beer—but “none of that fancy craft stuff”
Less tech, more kayak. Life lessons from DAK.
