7 Ways to Nourish your Soul

As usual photograph by me!

As a single introvert I find it necessary it treat myself with the kindness that people usually look to external sources for. Here are 7 ways that I keep my own bucket full! These are in no particular order.

• 1: Journal
  I believe that taking time to write out your thoughts and feelings is the best way to hear yourself. It is an active way to listen to yourself, and discover who you are, what your goals and dreams are, what your fears are. We expect our partners to take the time to get to know us, and listen to us. Being heard is part of being loved and I truly believe this is something that we can sometimes forget to do for ourselves.

• 2: Hobbies
  Pursuing our hobbies and interests is showing ourselves kindness. It is saying to ourselves that our interests are worthy of our time and energy. That WE are worthy of our time and energy. Whatever the interest is. Maybe it is something expensive and not financially realistic to do it every weekend, but buy yourself a magazine on the topic, plan a yearly activity date and save up for it. Participate in whatever small way you can because I truly believe that our hobbies and the things we are passionate about feed our soul!

• 3: Alone time
  Just like keeping a journal, I think it is important to spend quality time with ourselves. To be comfortable in silence, with nothing but our own inner dialogue to keep us company. You are the person you have to spend 24/7 with for your entire life. It is really easy these days to constantly distract ourselves with access to social media and the internet, put it away and immerse yourself in the moment of you!

• 4:Treat Yo-self
  Just like hobbies, even if it's something as simple as the occasional magazine, go ahead and treat yourself without guilt. The bonus of buying yourself a gift is you always get something you want. You never have to pretend to like something that you are not crazy for!

• 5:Clean your Space
  I know this sounds like work. I often feel like I have a thousand other more interesting things I could be working on. However, I am always glad and thankful when I put the time in to clean my space. I don’t know about you guys but often times my bedroom, where no one goes but me, can become a dumping ground and I toss things in there thinking, 'oh well,no one has to see it but me'. Taking the time to tidy up your bedroom, or studio, or desk or whatever space, is showing yourself the respect you would give a guest. You deserve to relax in a tidy environment too. So even though it's a little bit of work, it will be worth it.

• 6: Eat Nutritious Food
  I know when I am feeding myself, I tend to go for convenience. Usually I will microwave a can of something, and that’s dinner. I have to remind myself all the time that I am worth a healthy nutritious meal. I will make myself a bright colorful salad with all the things my kids would usually complain about and eat it happily. It feels so good to get exactly what you want, not have to compromise to suit other peoples tastes, and feel full and satisfied with no guilt. This instantly puts me in a better mood every single time.

• 7: Make Something
  This is my ultimate self-love act. To express myself in whatever form that happens to take my interest in the moment. Allowing myself freedom of expression. A photo, a painting, my happy salad, writing, whatever it is. Letting yourself create something with no expectation of it is “good” or not. Maybe even trying something new just for the heck of it. Making something for me is letting myself say I am here, I am valid, I think, I believe, I create! My creations are an expression of me in that moment. Does it have to be epic? No, not at all, it's more about the process of giving yourself the acknowledgment, and permission to BE and to exist, and leave something behind.

There are millions of ways to show yourself some loving, to treat yourself with some kindness, these are just a few of the things I enjoy doing in my own life, and help me feel full and whole as a person. I'd love to hear what you guys do, leave a comment, maybe you do something I haven't thought of yet and I love trying new things!