Halfway There: Reflections from the Midpoint of 2025

By Tiffany Wilson, Owner of Well Rested Massage

It’s hard to believe we’re already nearly halfway through 2025. These past months have been a whirlwind of growth, change, and learning; not always easy, but deeply meaningful. As we head into summer, I wanted to take a moment to pause, reflect on all that’s happened so far, and share what’s ahead.

When I opened Well Rested Massage, I wanted to create more than just a massage practice. I wanted to build a space where people could truly rest, heal, and feel cared for. In the past few months, I’ve watched that vision take deeper root in ways that continue to humble me.

We expanded into a larger space in December 2024, welcomed Courtney, Zechariah, Kaylee, and Pauline to our team of service providers, and added Gabby, Eleni, and Izzie to our front desk. We recently said “goodbye for now” to Gabby, who left to start her next chapter. She’s being promoted from receptionist to mommy—and while we miss her dearly, we’re so excited about her new adventure.

We introduced new services like our R&R Reflexology & Reiki experience and Restorative Yoga Workshops, which are quickly becoming client favorites. We’ve hosted community events like our well-attended Drumming Journey Circle, and we’ve built new partnerships with incredible companies like Central Mass Mom, CBD Stat, and of course, the Worcester Railers!

In April, we were honored with Boston Business Women’s “Best of Massage 2025” a recognition that means so much to us.

Of course, it hasn’t all been picture-perfect. There have been challenges behind the scenes that I rarely talk about, but transparency and integrity are part of my brand. So rather than just highlight the wins, I want to acknowledge the hard parts too.

There have been tight schedules, the emotional weight of running a service-based business, moments of self-doubt (too many to count), and the ongoing juggle of life and leadership. If you’ve ever built something from scratch, you know: growth is not always linear, and rest is something we often have to fight for.

If you can relate, and you’re looking for ways to take care of yourself, here are a few things I’ve been implementing:

Building Community

Having an incredible team is tremendously helpful. Knowing I can step back and trust that everything will be OK is a gift. I’ve been able to refer some of my clients to my colleagues and feel confident they’re receiving the same level of care and compassion I’d give. Yes, our staff have excellent technical skills—but even more importantly, they bring a passion for their work that people feel. And that’s what matters most.

You might not lead a team, but you can ask for help—from family, friends, or your support system. When the load gets too heavy. You don’t have to carry it all alone.

Being Honest

This one’s hard. It’s much easier to say “everything is fine,” but if we’re not honest about what we need, we’re only lying to ourselves and that helps no one. If you’re not ready to share your feelings with someone else, start with a journal. Give yourself space to be real.

Putting It on the Calendar

I schedule as much as I possibly can, even if it seems “insignificant.” A coffee date with a friend, a walk in the park, a 10-minute stretch break. If it’s on my calendar, I’m much more likely to stick to it. And I want to stick to it, because I feel better when I do.

Practicing Gratitude

This one’s so simple and so often overlooked. Gratitude changes everything. I say “thank you” constantly! When a client books an appointment, when I get a good night’s sleep, and even when I don’t (hello, coffee!). There is always something to be grateful for, and noticing it helps shift my whole outlook.

My mission has always been to help people rest, restore, and rebuild because I know how crushing burnout can be. And yet, I still struggle to prioritize my own self-care the way I encourage my clients to. It’s a work in progress. But I’m making progress, one step at a time.

Despite the circumstances in our personal lives, I show up. We show up. For our clients, for each other, and for the mission of Well Rested Massage. Every smile after a session, every deep breath released, every kind word in a review or a note reminds us that this work matters.

As we move into the second half of the year, here’s what we’re looking forward to:

• Welcoming new clients and reconnecting with longtime regulars

• Offering summer specials to help teachers, students, and anyone else who needs a break

• Continuing to grow our services and support team

• Joining the Millbury Farmers Market for the first time! We’ll be offering giveaways and free mini massages. We are so excited for the opportunity to meet more of our amazing neighbors

  
  

Whether you’ve visited us once or a hundred times, thank you. You are part of what makes this place so special. We can’t wait to see what the next six months hold.

Here’s to the messy middle, the quiet victories, and the beauty of just showing up. 💜