Nurturing Yourself Stimulates the Power that Makes Good Things Happen

Usually, we face January with the resolve to “do better this year”. Yet, that’s starting from a very judgmental and negative space, isn’t it? What if, instead of setting lofty goals this year, we work on cultivating a more robust base on which we can build healthy systems for life? Imagine setting the intention of “nurturing yourself” as your only goal knowing that doing this will bring real improvement to all areas of life.

Making a commitment to deeply care for yourself and to engage in daily practices that come from a place of compassion, love, tenderness, and gratitude is a very unselfish thing to do. A committed practice to uplifting and honoring your own needs makes you better able to honor others. When you embrace the power of nurturing your heart, your world can be transformed at every level.

Repeat this intention daily; “I choose to nourish myself because I matter. That’s my source of power.” 

Think of self-care in the most holistic sense of the word. Nourishing and nurturing yourself daily will take conscious effort. You’ll need a plan for dealing with the times you’re rushed or feeling drained. After all, it’s never a good idea to go grocery shopping on an empty stomach. When we’re hungry, we’re bound to make bad choices we later regret. 

The same is true for anything in life. If we’re starving emotionally, we’re likely to tolerate things we wouldn’t otherwise.  When we’re sleep deprived, we have less patience. If we’re not taking in nourishing food we’ll run out of energy. We’ll lose our way if we’re always giving and never replenishing ourselves spiritually.

In the list below, you’ll find a soul-searching questions that help you assess, without judgment, how you’re feeling today. After each is a link to an article where you’ll see fresh ideas for more fully nurturing yourself.

Nurturing yourself —  mind, heart, body, spirit

You are a connected being, so all aspects of yourself need attention. I like to think of it as adjusting each dial until you gain balance.

Nurture your mind

 How do you talk to yourself? Speak more positivity into your life.

What are your limiting beliefs? Become counterphobic.

How do you describe your dreams to yourself or others? See yourself there.

Is gratitude part of who you are? Zoom out and expand your vision.

Do you forget your accomplishments? Celebrate each small win.

Nurture your heart

 What’s the quality of your self-love? Practice, practice, practice.

 Are you warm toward yourself? Look for ways to show more love.

 Are you connected to your feelings? Tune in.

Nurture your body

Do you care for body needs or postpone as you keep pushing? Listen to your body.

Are you breathing? Breathe mindfully.

Do you move? Make movement pleasurable.

Is your food nourishing? Eat more of what healthfully energizes you.

Nurture your soul

What fills you up? Reconnect with your inspiration.

Are there areas of emptiness, anxiety, or yearning that you need to tend? Do one real thing.

Do all your relationships feel like connections? Develop intimacy through vulnerability.

Are you honoring commitments? Reboot your life.

How well are you protecting your values and boundaries? Firm up wobbly boundaries.

To nourish the soul means to become kinder, more compassionate, wiser, and more loving, often through the making of difficult choices that foster growth rather than safety. The nourishment and growth of the soul is the very reason for human life. – Joan Z. Borysenko

I started paying attention to the processes and systems that created the greatest impact on my life. Some are seemingly insignificant; some are major breakthroughs. Combined, they form a road map for Stepping Forward into creating my life of meaning and fulfillment. Please feel free to download an Introduction to The Stepping Forward Program and get started today.

 

Thank you for the photo Thought Catalog.