Angela Tafoya is the owner of NOOMOON—a style-conscious kids’ secondhand shop in San Francisco. She’s also a writer, editor, and mother of two. Sure, she’s got a lot going on—but thanks to some well-established rituals, she still finds moments for inner peace every day. Here, she shares a glimpse into her busy, beautiful world.
What is the first thing you do in the morning?
The baby typically wakes around 6 a.m. I go to his crib and bring him into the bed for his morning feeding and cuddles. If it’s a school day, I rush right into the madness—preparing lunch, getting breakfast ready, and jetting out the door.
But, one thing I always always do upon waking is I drink a glass of hot water and set an intention. It helps me to start my day with a ritual (even if it’s a tiny one!) and I TRY not to look at my phone within the first hour of waking up. Sometimes I’m successful, other times not so much.
How has your upbringing and environment shaped your understanding of wellness?
I grew up in New Mexico and have always had a side to me that is spiritual and has a connection to the earth—especially the desert. The way energy shifts when you’re in tune with nature is a strong basis for my understanding of wellness as I know it today. I love that we can access that feeling at any time. I’ve noticed that as I have moved around and experienced different places, it always comes back to that. Seeing myself in this picture outside of individualism and leaning into the vibrations of my surroundings. It really puts it into perspective on how connected we all are.
“My best” is always changing, but I do know that when I take the time to connect with myself regularly, I feel it.
What makes you feel your best?
“My best” is always changing, but I do know that when I take the time to connect with myself regularly, I feel it. I feel it in my physical self and the energy I put out there. That on top of getting enough sleep and moving my body regularly is when I feel most in harmony. Doing these things helps me when taking on the other parts of my life—I’m a better parent, better partner, and can respond versus react to my environment.
What has been the hardest part of your wellness journey—and how do you deal with it?
The hardest part these days is the time. I just opened a new business, NOOMOON, which is an edited children’s secondhand clothing shop and on top of two kiddos, school, work—things are busy! Sometimes I find it difficult to carve out the time regularly (outside of my AM hot water—ha). But, I’m also learning to be gentle with myself. I know that I have my own personal wellness tools in my back pocket and I will always know how to access them. It might just look a little different than it used to. For instance, instead of journaling every morning, maybe that’s dedicating one day a week? I’m working on how I can be better about tweaking my favorite rituals to make them fit into my life a bit more seamlessly. I honestly am just now feeling back to myself after having another child, so I’m really being gracious with everything and trusting that I will get back there.
I’m working on how I can be better about tweaking my favorite rituals to make them fit into my life a bit more seamlessly.
What is something you would like to see more of in the wellness world?
I think shifting the conversation from optimized to true wellness is something I’d like to see more of. Sunlight, movement, breath—things that don’t cost anything but can easily and significantly shift your well-being are important and what keeps us so closely linked to those before us.
We are constantly fed information around how to optimize ourselves through consumption and it can feel overwhelming, not attainable, and wasteful. There are so many ways we can improve our environment and selves without having to spend a ton of money and I wish that was celebrated more. That along with properly recognizing and honoring the communities and rituals that a lot of times “wellness trends” derived from.
I define healthy as tuning into your needs whether spiritual or physical, and doing your best to make small choices to get there.
What is a must-have step or product in your routine?
In terms of products, I am a big fan of everything Marie Veronique—she is truly a genius and her products have really transformed my skin. They are clean and locally made here in the Bay Area, too. If I would have to choose just one, though, it would be her Balancing HypoTonic. If I don’t use it for a few days, I can really see the difference. I also start my morning with tongue scraping and oil pulling. I use the Banyan Daily Swish. It’s not only great for oral hygiene, but aids in digestion and immunity.
How do you define ‘healthy’?
I feel the healthiest when my physical, spiritual, and emotional selves are in balance—which I don’t think has ever happened 100 percent—but when I’m trying, I feel it. I try to listen to my body as much as possible and take cues from it. To me, I define healthy as tuning into your needs whether spiritual or physical, and doing your best to make small choices to get there. Every day varies, but I think it’s about self-awareness.
What is something you look forward to every day?
Aside from my morning cup of coffee, I look forward to winding down with my children at night. I love laying down with my daughter when she goes to bed and talking with her about her day. She is always full of questions and wonder (especially at this time) and I love our little nightly chats.
How do you reset yourself after a difficult moment?
Breath. I love breathwork and have found it so instrumental in my healing and well-being journey over the last few years. The power of breath is incredible and it’s FREE! It’s the quickest and most natural way to level set with myself after a hard moment or day. Also, fresh air usually does the trick, too.
What is a ritual that brings you joy?
Journaling brings me so much joy. SO much. When I started journaling in the mornings, it’s like a portal to my inner self opened up. It’s a safe space to just let it all out and not think about it too much. Like I mentioned above, I’ve been out of the groove but I know how incredible it is for me as a tool and I will get back there.
I’m also a big tarot card person and do a daily pull which just reminded me—I haven’t done mine today yet and need to do so (especially since it’s a new moon tonight!).
What is the last thing you do at night?
Take a deep breath.