I don’t know about you, but I sometimes get so caught up in trying new stuff — spreading my wings, looking for opportunities, taking more classes, seeking bigger challenges — that I need something to snap me back to the old tried and trues that have always nurtured me. It’s like making a big ole batch of mac ‘n’ cheese after eating exciting, foreign flavors for weeks. Yes, I love pad kee mao and sweet potato enchiladas and eggplant dashi, but some days I need some supper a la Tennessee circa 1940.
I’ve shared a bunch of “try this” ideas in previous SCDOT6 posts because I like to support people in learning new ways to take care of themselves. Maybe you’ve never given yourself permission to put your own needs on the calendar, or to write off some needling goal that you don’t really want to achieve, or to change up how you do gift giving. It does my heart good when I get a comment or an email or a phone call saying, “Hey, Gina, I tried that thing and it was awesome!”
However, it occurred to me that it might be helpful to “snap y’all back” to the old tried and true ways that help you feel nurtured.
When I do some archeological digging into my own timeline certain themes make themselves very clear. I have always crafted in some form. I have always read tons of material. I have always loved music. I have always loved sitting outdoors. The content may change a bit over time, but the fundamentals are the same.
Given a day to do what I want and no pressure to perform, I’ll happily listen to music while reading or working on a craft. Ideally, I’ll be working on a craft — like a simple knitting project — that allows me to read and listen to instrumental music. Or better yet, I’ll take my craft and book outside and listen to my windchimes.
So, what nourishes you? What can you count on to refill your empty cup?
Take a little time to think back to those comforts and activities that truly restore your energy.
Hint: It may be those things you told your-child-self you could do as much as you wanted when you got to be an adult.
Bigger Hint: It may be those things you feel a little guilty doing instead of the list of “should be doings” you carry around in your head.
Got your list? No, not the “should” list… the “nourishing and restorative” list. Got that one? Good.
Now when was the last time you made an appointment with yourself to do exactly that?
Go on. You can do it.
Gee whiz! A bowl of mac ‘n’ cheese, followed by reading a book with some lovely background music sounds pretty good to me right about now.
Novel idea, no?
About Gina Lynette
Yes – I wholeheartedly agree! For me, it’s actually taking the time to read, while listening to our fantastic array of instrumental music.
I was a HUGE reader when I was a kid – ALWAYS at the library, especially relishing the books that had a skull and crossbones (designating mysteries) on the spine.
Like my music, I set aside my reading for oh so long, and something got rekindled a few years back that made me want to reconnect in both of those nurturing, fulfilling areas of my life. Thank goodness!
Yay for music and books and for setting aside time to enjoy both!
I don’t know what it is about our culture that makes doing stuff we like to do seem so subversive. Actually, I do know a bit about what it is… but that doesn’t always clear the guilt.
So, when I see you actively pause (is that a thing you can do?) from your to do list and read or play music, I do a little cheer.