Meet Whitney, founder of online platform Well Together, and most recently, Together Loungewear-- a Canadian slow fashion brand, responsibly made, and with a focus on loungewear. With a background in International Development Studies that looked at social justice and world issues, Whitney was interested in sustainability and the impact the fashion industry has on our environment and human rights. After graduating, Whitney focused on another passion, wellness. We chatted with Whitney about wellness, self-care, and what's next for Well Together.
What is your story?
I guess I like to describe myself as a creative at heart who likes to keep busy. If you’re my friend you know I am always planning, doing or wanting to create something. Most of it lately wellness/ self-care related!
I initially dove deep into wellness through my experience with eczema and finding different ways to help with it. I started to look at more natural ways to heal the body through food and natural products. From there it led me to a Naturopathic doctor, to looking more at what’s on a nutritional label, to looking at the impact our food system has on the environment, and how this all trickles down to the products we use day to day and even fashion!
I think right now I’m trying to find a place to fit my passion for self-care and wellness, and merging it with sustainable fashion and being a better conscious consumer.
What inspired you to start Well Together? How did you get started?
Well Together was initially a platform to host wellness events. The focus was more on foods and nutrition at the time as I was experimenting a lot of different ways to eat and fuel my body. I wanted to create a safe space to have conversations around holistic nutrition. I wanted to host beautiful events with wonderful food and drinks for everyone to enjoy. The events slowly transitioned to more wellness focused. Yoga and brunch, Functional Latte Tutorials and Mindfulness. Hosting these events allowed me to step outside my comfort zone, and connect with others who have the same passions as me!
I took a break from hosting events and started sharing more about my wellness journey. I was gearing up to have another event in the Spring this year, but there was a change of plans due to CV-19. Being home more allowed me to share more of what I’m up to, trying, and how I’m incorporating a balanced lifestyle.
I was in the middle of designing loungewear for events. Which kind of took a turn and became a brand of itself, Together Loungewear. There’s a lot of loungewear on the market, but when it came to sustainable and ethical brands I wasn’t happy with how inaccessible it was to the general consumer. So I'm working on trying to change that!
I’m not an extroverted person, and I don’t like ‘showing up’ all the time. However, I’ve made more of an effort as I believe we need different perspectives on wellness. Especially the BIPOC perspective. I always wish I saw more people like me online, so I figured why not be one of them?
Why is wellness and self-care important to you? What is your mission with your platform?
At the end of the day wellness is important to me because I ultimately want to fuel my body and be the healthiest version of myself. My mind, my body, and my soul. I think it’s an ever going journey, and we’re always learning more about ourselves along the way. Some days we do things out of love because it’s what our soul needs. Drinks with friends, take out, etc. Other days it looks like lots of rest, naps, and waiting to get back to emails because you just need to tune out the noise. Sometimes it looks like lots of smoothies, dark leafy greens, and whole foods.
I love being in tune with my body, looking for cues of what it needs. With my platform, I like to say it’s all about balance. There’s lots of pressure to eat a certain way, or look a certain way. But once you get in tune with your body, you can learn to find balance. Not all days, weeks or months will look well balanced. But i think it’s about being aware, learning and growing! It’s also important to remember that balance within my lifestyle can be completely different for someone else. We all have different needs and wants!
"I believe we need different perspectives on wellness. Especially the BIPOC perspective. I always wish I saw more people like me online, so I figured why not be one of them?"
What does a typical day look like?
Working from home, and code red at the moment my days all pretty much look the same. First thing when I wake up is pour myself a glass of water. Take my vitamins then I’ll prepare everything for my coffee, wash my face then get back to making my coffee. I love my morning coffee routine. If there’s one routine I have, it's taking my time for myself in the morning, and making my coffee. I add YourMornings Ashwagandha, froth my oat milk and pour over my coffee. I then open my work computer and get to my day! After checking a few emails I’ll prepare breakfast. Around the afternoon If it’s an ideal day I try and get a workout in, a quick shower then my skincare routine. I really like a slow morning, so not getting ready until the afternoon is pretty typical for me! Then lunch and back to work. I try to document some of my day on my Instagram Stories, and sneak in some emails and planning for Together Loungewear. Once the workday is done I’m usually back on my laptop working on Together Loungewear or Well Together. These creative outlets really fuel me! Then my Boyfriend and I will plan/make dinner together. Enjoy our meal and either workout if we haven’t yet or just have an easy going evening and watch some Netflix. In the summer months it might’ve been followed by a walk, or bike ride but these days with the colder weather we’ve been staying in.
What are your self-care rituals?
Something about me is I’m not a routine person. I can adapt my days differently to what my needs are. My self-care rituals can easily be deep cleaning the house, then lighting a candle or putting on my diffuser. Working from home, I like to squeeze in facemasks sometimes. In the colder months I love getting cozy and making a hot cup of tea, or adaptogenic hot cocoa, or having my Magnesi-OM tonic by Moon Juice.
What is your best advice for someone just starting to learn how to transition into a more intentional, intuitive lifestyle?
I would say block out all the noise! There’s so much information out there it can become a bit overwhelming. I like to say think about whole foods, and listen to your body. Your body truly knows what it needs! When it comes to being more of a conscious consumer. Do the best you can. It can be as simple as swapping out plastic bags for reusable ones. Making your first ever second hand purchase. It’s all about baby steps!
What was one of the most rewarding experiences you’ve had with your platform so far?
With my old blog I was able to interview Chinae Alexander. That was really exciting. It’s a little bit rewarding to have brands reach out wanting me to test/try products. I feel as though my platform is still ‘small’. It’s nice and humbling when they find you.
I have a newsletter, I took a break in the spring but I truly loved connecting with my readers there. I felt I could be 100% authentic and shared what I’m loving in regards to wellness and self care.
What is your best piece of advice to others that are wanting to practice self-care and start their wellness journey?
Self-care is not lazy. Never think because you’re taking time for you, that you’re being lazy. I like to think of wellness and self-care as slowing down in a world that’s going so so fast! We can’t be well if we don’t find time to take care of ourselves and even ask ourselves ‘how are we doing today?’. Don’t think of transitioning to a more wellness lifestyle as taking something ‘out’, think of it as what you are ‘adding’ into your life. More nutritional foods? More time for you? More time to move your body?
Looking back, what are your reflections on 2020 and what do you envision for yourself in 2021?
2020 was the year I realized I really want to focus on immunity. With everyone going on, building a strong immune system is never a bad idea. Also, just showing up! I’m a black girl in wellness, who’s starting a business. We need to see more of that. I hope to inspire others who were like me and wish they saw more representation. In 2021 I’m hoping to support my community the best way I can, through small business, donating, and volunteering.
Life motto you live by?
The slower you go, the faster you get there.
What’s next for you and Well Together?!
I want to continue sharing my wellness journey, and my journey to starting my business Together Loungewear. One of my favorite things about businesses is the process behind the scenes. I hope I can share more of that, and inspire others that if I can start, so can you!
Keep up with Whitney over on Instagram @whitneysiims and @togetherloungewear
"If I can describe my style it’s oversized. I love anything flowy, and comfortable." Whitney wears her current favourite thrifted finds.
