My 4 year old daughter has recently started a new obsession with death. At first, her questions about what happens when we die or whether I could tell her when she’s going to die concerned me. After all, my husband and I have differing views on what that experience might be like and neither of us are guaranteed to be right. After contemplating it for some time though, I realised that her fascination opened up a conversation about living fully and that’s one I feel comfortable having.
Often as I’m working with clients, I start to notice patterns creeping into the conversations we have. One of the more recent patterns has been the sheer number of people feeling burnt out by the weight of compassion for others and finding little time to shine some of that compassion inwards. When we discuss the need to include daily habits that support and nourish our self, many of my clients will pick up on habits for a health body, some might include great habits that feed their mind, and very few pick up habits that nurture their soul.
Let's talk about this for a bit.
Do you see this pattern in your life? Does your daily activity miss habits that would feed your soul?
If your answer is yes, you're not alone.
It’s easy to fill up our day with habits for our mind and body. After all, we’ve got tangible evidence that both exist. While you can’t touch or see your soul, it’s an equally important part of you. Think of your soul as that special something that makes you uniquely you. Some people believe the soul is like a glowing spark inside of us that doesn't go away, even if our bodies get old and tired. When we feel something in our gut, that instinct or intuition comes from the soul.
You might not resonate with the name soul. That’s ok. Try heart, character, or spirit. Call it what you will, just don’t neglect it. Our souls, much like our bodies, need to be nurtured and nourished regularly to be at their best. This is not merely an esoteric or spiritual concept (and at least for me it’s not a religious one either). Soul work is backed up by practical benefits that profoundly impact our day-to-day lives. Here's a shallow dive into a few.
Living in Harmony: Soulful Habits and Inner Peace
Daily practices that enrich our soul like mindful walking, listening to beautiful music, painting and drawing, yoga, or simply enjoying a cup of tea or coffee alone provide an antidote to the hustle and bustle of the outside world. These habits create a tranquil space within us, helping us return to our essence. Yes, I know, easier said than done, but the magic lies in consistency.
My own daily soul habits include some form of reflection or journalling, enjoying a hot drink alone, listening to beautiful music and, when I get time, guided meditation. These activities allow me to hit the pause button, take a breath, look inward, and understand my motivations, desires, and the essence of who I am. Making time for these moments allow us to know ourselves better and in knowing ourselves, we can better direct our personal growth journey.
Building Resilience: The Hidden Strength of Soul-Enriching Practices
Life isn't always going to be sunshine and rainbows. You know that. I know that. But, what if I told you that soul-enriching habits could help us weather those storms with an unwavering spirit? These activities help us create a solid foundation of inner strength and resilience. If you want to know more about resilience and why it's integral to build, you can read my blog "Is Resilience the Buzzword of the Moment" here.
Deepening Connections: The Ripple Effect of Soul-Care
Think of connecting with our soul like syncing with the most authentic version of ourselves. When we really get in tune with that inner core and begin to sharpen our intuition. That’s our innate ability to understand or know something without the need for conscious reasoning. We all have intuition, however, many of us haven’t tuned in for a while.
Our intuition is like a friend who's got your back when you're navigating the wild journey of life. It's that little nudge saying, Especially in today's world, where there's just so much noise and information overload, having rock-solid intuition is like having a trusty compass, always pointing to what feels right.
When we connect with our inner selves, it opens up the possibility of forming deeper, more meaningful connections with others. we are more aware of ourselves, we understand others better. Simple practices such as empathetic listening, heartfelt conversations, or even just being present in someone's company can help us foster these deep connections.
Finding Contentment: The Ultimate Reward
While our consumer world often has us wanting the latest version of everything, our soul yearns for something more profound. Contentment. Not fleeting, but enduring happiness. In developing daily habits that nourish our soul we become more attuned to our internal compass, guiding us towards true contentment. Soul habits don’t just help us live, they help us thrive. One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself through all of the chaos of the here and now is a conscious effort to integrate habits that nourish your soul. I assure you; your soul will thank you for it.
Have a winning day!
Bx