A Zen Path: Taking the First Step
Do you ever find yourself waiting for the perfect moment to start something new? I know I do. I often feel like I need to have everything perfectly mapped out before taking the first step.
We tell ourselves we’ll start meditating when life feels less chaotic, commit to self-care when our schedule clears, or embrace mindfulness when we finally “have it all together.” But the truth is, there is no perfect moment—there is only now.
A zen life isn’t about reaching a final destination or achieving an ideal state of being. It’s about showing up, again and again, for the present moment. It’s about taking the first step, even if it’s small, and knowing that the path itself is the practice.
So, if you’ve been waiting for the right time to begin, consider this your invitation. Not to change everything overnight, but to take one mindful breath, one conscious step, and trust that you are already on the path. Because the journey doesn’t start someday—it starts now.
I learned this lesson firsthand when I faced an unexpected challenge—one that forced me to reconsider my approach to health and healing and led me to where I am now.
In early spring of 2021, I found that my face was starting to redden. It happened so gradually that it was easy to ignore at first. I finally went to the doctor in early summer and started down a road of topicals and oral antibiotics which included Accutane. After a biopsy, I learned that I had granulomatous rosacea. It got so bad and so painful that I questioned how long I could deal with it if I could not find an answer. Through online rosacea support groups, I discovered something my dermatologist had never mentioned: the importance of the skin's moisture barrier—something I had completely lost. I decided to stop all the medication and look for answers myself.
To be clear, I believe in Western medicine when it makes sense. But in this specific case, it wasn’t the right path for me. Instead, I examined my nutrition - also an area that my dermatologist never asked about. I took a food sensitivity test which showed that I was slightly allergic to several “healthy” foods that I ate almost everyday. These foods were fueling low-level inflammation which worsened my rosacea. I also examined my overall well-being. I reflected on the years leading up to this moment, recognizing how stress had quietly accumulated in my life and reached a toxic level.
It wasn’t an overnight transformation, and the path wasn’t always clear, but step by step, I began to heal.
That journey taught me that healing—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—isn’t about finding a single answer or reaching a final destination. It’s about learning to listen to your body, trust your intuition, and take small but meaningful steps forward. If you're waiting for the 'perfect time' to begin prioritizing your well-being, let this be your reminder: the path is already beneath your feet. All you have to do is take the first step.
