Gifting the Givers: A Reflection on My First Year of Living Well

Instead of a day of getting, what if it became a day of gratitude?
According to UC Davis researchers, people who regularly practice gratitude report stronger relationships, fewer health complaints, and more optimism—kind of amazing for something that costs nothing but intention.

A “thanks-for-putting-up-with-me” kind of celebration.

You don’t need a big budget to do it. You don’t even need a big circle. You just need heart. A handwritten note. A tiny handmade token. A surprise high-five and a cup of coffee. It’s about flipping the script and saying, "You matter to me. I'm glad you're in my world." And the ripple effect? Powerful. A smile shared is a smile multiplied.

My One-Year Anniversary Gift-A-Palooza

So I took that birthday idea, turned it inside out, and wore it to celebrate my one-year anniversary at WCIF. (Yep, we’re already here!)

A few months before the big day, I was treasure hunting at Goodwill—one of my happy places—when I spotted some sweet little square canvases. “These are so Janéé,” I thought. (That’s Janéé Cargil, our Benefits & Wellness Director and multi-medium artist extraordinaire—I knew she’d appreciate these the second I saw them.) Into my arms they went.

Fast forward a few days later, I’m at TJMaxx, prepping for the Benefits Summit, and I spot it: a mug with cowboy cats. Blue. Ridiculous. Perfect. Did I need a new mug? Absolutely not. Did it go in the cart? You bet it did.

Now, like any responsible adult attempting restraint in the checkout line, I did one last cart audit. The mug stood out as the obvious "unnecessary" item. I started to put it back—but then a spark: What if I kept it... as a gift? Shawna’s name popped into my head—that’s Shawna Zusi-Cobb, our Design & Communications Coordinator and a fellow creative soul with a serious soft spot for cats. I mean, this mug basically had her name on it.

And with that, an idea brewed stronger than a double espresso: what if I celebrated my workiversary by giving gifts to my team? Cue internal fireworks.

I didn’t want to go overboard—this wasn’t about extravagance. It was about intention. Thoughtful, playful, inexpensive little treasures that made me giggle and reminded me of the incredible humans I get to work with.

There was a Lego flower in a thrifted glass bud vase—because who doesn’t need a build-it-yourself bloom that never wilts? A small vintage cardstock cutout with a quote about friendship, found in an antique shop, perfect for a card-making friend who shares that joy with others. A stack of balancing stones for our Finance Manager, a nod to a staff meeting conversation about cultivating calm in our spaces.

Each one felt like a tiny wink, a quiet thank you. Playful. Personal. Perfectly mismatched—just like our team.

Space to Breathe, Room to Bloom

What started as a fun way to mark a milestone quietly became something more meaningful.

Somewhere between the thrift store shelves and the laughter in the office, I realized I felt different—lighter. More myself.

It turns out, that unexpected burst of creativity and generosity wasn’t just about mugs and rock stacks. It was a clue. A quiet signal that something inside me had shifted.

And that shift? It had been building for months.

This past year, I’ve come to realize just how much stress I’d been carrying in my last role—a job I held for 12 years—stress I had normalized, packed neatly into my everyday routine like it was part of the dress code.

I didn’t recognize the weight until it was gone.

It was a slow unraveling.

At first, I noticed more silence in my head. Then little bursts of creativity started bubbling up—like a spring I didn’t know had been capped off for years.

I had space to feel, to think, and to be.

And a huge part of that shift came from trusting the people around me at WCIF.

When you’re part of a team that lifts you up and believes in your potential, it changes everything.

You feel safe to take risks. To try weird ideas. To show up fully—including the parts of you that collect cowboy cat mugs and think rock stacks are office essentials.

Looking Ahead

This post isn’t just a reflection—it’s a beginning.

As I continue learning the ins and outs of the Live Well program, one thing is clear: the Live Well Blog Spot has the potential to become something truly meaningful. But like most good things, it takes time to find its voice.

So for now, this space is a gentle beginning. A place to test ideas. To share stories. To see what resonates and what grows.

I hope this can be a spot where we meet somewhere in the middle of real life and wellness—where reflection lives next to joy, and laughter walks hand-in-hand with learning.

Not perfect. Not polished. Just real.

Have you ever flipped a tradition and made it your own?
What’s the most meaningful gift you’ve ever given—or received?

I’d love to hear your stories. Because living well isn’t just about green smoothies and fitness trackers—it’s about connection, creativity, and community.

Thanks for being part of mine.

Rylee
WCIF Wellness Coordinator | Still learning, always growing