We spend most of our lives constantly reminding ourselves to take care of ourselves. We read quotes, read self-improvement books, listen to motivational speakers, seek therapist advice, and etc. Or just are beautiful bodies scream out to us in burnt out mode to stop and love yourself for just a bit and recharge. I don't know how many times my mind has told me," Taking care of yourself isn't selfish, it's a necessity to be able to show up for your kids, work, and just life."
For most of my life when I would be hit in the face again that I needed to start taking care of myself, I would have goals to eat better and work out for my physical health. To work on being kinder to myself and my mind. Or to do better about treating myself to a massage, a facial, etc. I would try and be diligent about following through on my goals because I wanted to feel better. I wanted to have energy for my children, my clients, my husband, and frankly for myself.
First off, let me just say all these things and goals are important. They are a big part in self-care, and I still try and do all those things for my health. However, after my first child, I was back on the self- care train again and religiously trying to incorporate them back in my daily life, I still found myself exhausted. I started reflecting over the years of my self-care journey, and had I ever really felt amazing? I was eating all the right things, moving my body, trying to be kinder to my mind, and I still felt tired and exhausted. I was frustrated because in general I had always tried to be a "healthy" person and show self-love when I needed it. I didn't understand what I was missing.
Then one afternoon, I got ready to go on a walk in my neighborhood and as I went to put my earphones in, I felt a tug in my spirit saying, "no, you need quiet time." I decided to listen, and I am glad I did. During that walk, I found myself listening to the birds chirping and the wind making noise through the trees. It had been a while since I had walked outside without earphones on and had forgotten that nature made music too. As I started to go in a natural meditative state, I also heard from someone that I hadn't heard from in a while as well, God. He began saying, it's hard to talk to you when your life is so noisy around you. He continued on that he had heard my frustrations of not feeling my best and then said something that I needed to hear. He said, your missing essential part to feeling good. You're not tending to your soul; it's been a while sense you loved on that.
At that moment, I remember crying as I continued to walk, because he was right. The life that I had created around me was nothing but noise. My tv was always on, even when I wasn't watching. I was constantly glued to my phone endlessly scrolling on social media and I couldn't work out or be outside without something in my ear. I had gotten so distracted from all the noise, I had forgotten to take time to be quiet with him, walk with him, and to rest in him.
Since my literal come to Jesus' meeting that day, I added soul fuel in my self-care routine. I can honestly say since loving on that part of me that desperately needed it. My mental, physical, and emotional health better. That walk that day reminded me that we are: Mind, Body, and Spirit. And the Spirit needs just as much love as your body and mind gets.
I would be lying to you if I told you I do it daily. I am human and life gets the best of me just like everyone else. I can get in a funk and not love on it, but the important thing is that I always reengage. When I started incorporating soul fuel in my life, I had to think of easy ways to bring it in my regime, with an already busy lifestyle. I reflected how I had started including physical self-care daily. I had found workout apps that had 10 min to 55 min workouts and allowed me to do it anywhere. So, I began to think of easy ways to do for my soul that my workout apps had allowed me to do in my life. Below are a few things that I do for fueling my soul. I hope this helps anyone else looking for ways to have add soul fuel in their self-care regime.
Easy Soul Fuel Self Care:
- I Get up a few minutes earlier then my family, to drink my coffee in quiet and have daily reflection. My perspective on my life tends to be better if I start it in the morning.
- Gratitude List: I would be lying if I told you I write it down daily. Two small kids and a full time job is time consuming. I tend to think of things in the morning with my coffee or driving in my car. Gratitude is not complicated as we make it. It can be as simple as I am alive today.
- Being outside! Sunshine is good for the soul!I know that sounds silly, but todays society we are so consumed with technology we forget to go out.
-Limiting my social media time. It is honestly insane the amount of time we stay on our phones these days. We are not allowing our brains to rest.
- Walking outside with No headphones. Nature is Music and it's a peaceful one.
-Praying, it works I promise.
- Finding things that continue to inspire us and bringing back out our inner child creativity. We are born to learn, stretch, and grow our spirits. Paint outside, take a dance class, try making jewelry, or write.
-Find people that inspire you and make you want to grow as a person.
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