I am Vata through and through. I love freedom, space, and the thrill of the unexpected. Rules? Not so much. I get excited about new opportunities and eagerly start new projects, but the ether and air elements that make up the Vata dosha lack the grounding and stability I need to see things through. I have a lot of unfinished projects because of this. So, when I made a decision to start getting serious about my health- I had to wrangle up some serious Pitta energy.

But I had no idea that I was setting myself up for a very new challenge.

Falling In Love with Dinacharya

Early on in my Ayurvedic studies, I learned about Dinacharya -daily routine. The day is divided into cycles of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha dominance. By lining up my habits with these cycles, I could sleep better, eat better, have more energy, and even, you know… go to the bathroom like a champ. A lot of people swear by a morning routine, and Ayurveda totally agrees — it just doesn’t stop at the morning. The ancient texts lay out what to do from sunrise to sunset, matching what goes on in the microverse to that of what goes on in the macroverse. On paper, it sounded amazing.

When to wake, when to eat, when to exercise - even the best time to use the restroom and brush your teeth. And thanks to my eagerness for all things new and shiny (i.e. Vata dosha) I took to this new schedule with no problem. I was performing Abhyanga, Jala Neti (irrigation of the nose and throat via Neti Pot,) and tailored my whole routine according to that of what Ayurveda suggests.

It didn’t take long for me to see results. My skin glowed, my stress tolerance improved, I dodged the flu, and my aches disappeared. I had energy, slept soundly, digested beautifully, and felt on top of the world.

The Lonely Side of Structure

But after a while, I started feeling really lonely. My schedule had become rigid and isolating. I had done a complete overhaul of my habits. I no longer accepted invitations to late night movies because I had to be in bed by 9. I didn’t want to go to the restaurant because “I’m only eat dinner at 4 P.M.” or the “food wasn’t ‘Ayurvedic’ enough.” And it only got worse from there.

My friends and family were still struggling with their health. Their tummy hurt, their allergies were acting up, they needed surgery for their bum knee. Initially, I shared herbal remedies, recipes, and daily routines that promised to alleviate my loved ones’ ailments.

But my love of Ayurveda was a personal thing, and not everyone shared it. Some of my friends didn’t have time to implement a new routine. Some were hesitant to add unfamiliar spices and herbs to their foods. Others were well intended, but their familiar habits and patterns were so entrenched - that it took more effort to establish new neural pathways.

I took this harder than I expected. I felt guilty for feeling so good, while everyone around me was struggling. My sense of connection was slipping. I didn’t want to trade in my tribe for a new one nor did I want to them to shun me for adopting a way of life that just didn’t align with the lifestyle that had held us together all these years.

So, I slowly and quietly gave up my new habits and allowed my old ones to creep back in. If I’m being honest, there was even some awareness around this. I remember saying to myself “I would rather have tummy aches and friends than feel good all alone.”

The Second Try

It wasn’t until years later that my attempts at establishing a loving routine for myself finally stuck. The truth is, it wasn’t until I re-enrolled myself into a formal Ayurvedic program, that I started to understand how nuanced Ayurveda really is. I saw example after example of how unique each person is, how unique I am. This time around, I worked with an Ayurvedic practitioner who saw my unique needs - including a sense of belonging.

My Unique Constitution

Unchecked Vata had left my nervous system scattered and my confidence shaky. I needed grounding and stability — not just rules. My new Dinacharya focuses on pacifying Vata, strengthening Kapha, balancing Pitta, and building Ojas.

Now, my daily rhythm doesn’t just keep me healthy. It keeps me connected — to my body, my mind, and my people. If this story has you wondering what your own ideal daily rhythm might look like, let’s talk. One of our health counselors can help you design a routine that supports your health, honors your values, and fits your real life. No pressure, no sales, just a safe space to explore.