Nurture Yourself

In the past few years I have learned the art of nurturing myself. I make it a priority daily to do something just for me. Something that makes my soul sing. Something that puts everything and everyone else aside and puts the focus on me. I do this because it fuels my very soul. Not to mention, if momma ain’t happy, well you know the saying. I find when I make it a priority to nurture my own self, I am a better person for all those in my life. I am a better mother, that is more refreshed and able to deal with the intensive care of her little crew. If I know I have time for me coming each day and sometimes even more extended times, I can make it through the day without losing my mind.

There were years of my life where this practice wasn’t as feasible for me, but I strove to have that time to myself. That time where I could think and feel whatever I needed to, or just simply let all my cares go and meditate on something beautiful. Though it was challenging, I fought for that time. After getting through some pretty dark years in my life (I think we all have some of those times, don’t we), I learned to treasure my time alone just for me. Even if all I did was sit on the couch and imagine wonderful things, that would be enough of a respite for me. Whatever I can do to allow myself to relax, to reduce stress and find peace – I do it! Every day! It’s not an option.

If you find life unmanageable to the point where you want to have a nervous breakdown, or you are barely holding it together,  you need to find some time to nurture yourself. Trust me, it’s not an option! Think of it this way, you nourish your body with healthy food and exercise in order to experience good health, doesn’t your mind and soul need to be nourished as well. Of course diet and exercise play a huge role in that, however, we all need to take it deeper than just those essentials. We need to reach our inner self, the part of us that houses our very soul. I think learning to love ourselves in this way is paramount to overall health and wellness. If we can see ourselves with a healthy view, we can see the whole world more clearly. We can learn to unleash the amazing abilities we have inside ourselves to nourish and nurture others, when that area of our life is well tended to.

I find it also very important to model this in front of our kids. Let them know, that mom needs time too. Mom needs to have the time to relax and that she is not there to solely serve them. This will help in how they view others in their lives. If you have sons, this will help to train them to not expect their wives to do it all and to really value her need for time to herself. I learned this important concept of self nurturing from my mom. I don’t remember her doing things for herself so much when I was young and at home. But as I became an adult, I noticed that she really took time to enjoy things for herself. She gave to herself and in turn has been very giving of herself to myself, my kids and my siblings as well. And not just her family, but her community as well. I am grateful to have observed this quality of my mom’s by osmosis. It truly resonates with me, and she really does not allow herself to overdo it. She makes it a priority to have her time, and I am grateful to have learned that lesson through her.

Not only is taking time to do enjoyable things good for your soul a good habit, but learning to accept and appreciate the beautiful things inside you will even further your self nurturing. Realizing your inherent worth and beauty is a facet of life that will empower you in a way you can’t even comprehend. It’s not selfish or proud of you to know exactly how amazing you are. And sometimes, you really can’t know that until you allow yourself to see yourself with out the critics glasses on. Negative introspection, self judging and lack of esteem are some of the most damaging ways to think. Never let those voices have a day on the stage. Shut them up quickly and realize that you are human. Instead look inside yourself to see what you really have to offer the world. Acknowledge your giftings, your unique take on life and the color you bring to the world around you. Accept compliments. Don’t ‘should’ on yourself so much, ‘I should be doing this‘, ‘I really should have cleaned the house instead of ..….’   You don’t always have to be someone who produces or is productive. Sometimes, we all need to nurture the spaces within in order to fuel the future actions we need to do daily to make life work. Sometimes the world around you will seemingly dictate that you must do, do do in order to be  a successful ———-(fill in the blank). This is not necessarily truth. Learn to trust your intuitive self and know when you need to step back from working so hard to rest. Allow yourself the grace to follow your own path. March to the beat of your own drum. Be who you are. Allow yourself the time to gaze out the window, or to dream dreams and reflect on things in life that help you process and heal from the inside out.

Ways I Nurture Myself

There are many things in life that bring me pleasure. I take great joy in the simple things in life, I especially love getting comfortable in my own skin. I enjoy time spent reading for pleasure. I find taking baths are a soothing way to end my day. I love to just go to bed early, even if I am not tired. I love to create, mostly in the kitchen, but sometimes just in how I care for my home, or with plants in a garden, maybe even just creating a memory of fun with my kids. I allow myself time in the day to sit still and do nothing sometimes. I love to talk on the phone with a friend. Listen to moving music. Find new inspiring music. Sing at the top of my lungs. Dance in front of my mirror like I was a rock star. Pamper myself with facials and foot bathes. Light candles and eat dark chocolate or slowly sip some port. Sometimes I sit in my bed and talk to myself about my dreams and goals. Once in awhile I get a chick flick just for me. I watch the Food Network for fun, even though I would never cook half the stuff on there. In the summer I love to go out for 15 minutes and lay in the sun. Take hikes. Bird watch out my window. Buy myself flowers from time to time. Splurge and buy myself something even if I don’t need it, once in awhile (like the cool vintage beaded black dress I got at the local thrift shop recently).

The list could go on – what ways do you nurture yourself?

Self-healing is available to each one of us – Learning to self- love and cherish ourselves will only fan the flame towards it! Remember ~ You have value. You are worth it. You are amazing inside and out. Your body is a wonderland. The world has more color because of you. You have likely made someone else’s day at one point and that’s a beautiful thing! You are not your mistakes. Your journey is a beautiful story unfolding each new day – reflect on the loveliness of what is coming out of your life!