For this month’s installment of the Who I Am project, Dana and Bev asked participants to write about Medicine for the Soul. This prompt couldn’t come at a better time.
I’ve just wrapped up a full season of fall sports: three kids running cross country and three kids playing soccer. Note, I only have four children; you figure out the math. I’ve also been fully enmeshed in coaching cross country – a thing I love and that definitely fills my soul – but all that time committed to snack requests and Milesplit means I’ve put off important, but less enjoyable, things, like balancing checkbooks and making appointments. Now I face a lengthy and intimidating to-do list that doesn’t even include Christmas tasks. Kinda makes me want to go for a run… and not come back.
Thank you, Dana and Bev, for forcing me to contemplate the things that fill my spirit and bring me joy just when I need them the most. Here are a few of them:
Being Creative It’s taken me until middle age to appreciate that my soul requires creative activity. Not just “likes” it, but requires it. In the past, that meant drawing with pencils and pastels or painting with acrylics. Now, with less time for cleaning brushes, my creativity takes the form of writing and photography. Stringing words together brings great pleasure, perhaps because I’m focusing on one thing for a while, but also because it feeds my creative need. When I make time to exercise and write in the morning, my whole day goes better. Really, I need to “take” creative time every day, like a vitamin.
Exercise Whatever form it is, I always feel better after, even if I didn’t want to go to the pool on a cold winter morning and swim laps (Getting wet in January? Yuck!) Endorphins, feeling strong, burning away unneeded calories- these physical benefits of exercise combine into a soothing elixir for my weary soul.
Service work When I’m spinning down a spiral of fatigue and irritation, nothing snaps me out of my self-pity better than service work. Reading with kids at the elementary school, delivering food, walking with a troubled friend who needs someone to listen – all these things expand my perspective and shift my focus from my own worries to the needs of someone else. Note: this does not include the everyday service work of cooking, cleaning and laundry that most mothers perform. I need something outside of the daily minutia to medicate my spirit.
Mantra Bands I’m not big on jewelry, but these simple bracelets remind me to put my heart in the right place – on the positive. There are tons of messages to choose from at Mantraband.com; I have the three pictured above. When I’m irritable or letting anxiety have too much sway in my day, the jangle of these silver bands prompts me to look down, read the words, and remember who I want to be.
Happier with Gretchen Rubin My friend Amy recommended this podcast, and what a great thing. Gretchen and her sister discuss little ways to make each day a little happier. Because of these ladies, I’m currently working on my “Personal Ten Commandments” which include
- Assume positive intent
- Connect before I correct
- You get more of what you notice – so attend to the good stuff
Another great podcast for soul care: Michael Hyatt’s This is Your Life. Michael shares productivity tips and encourages his listeners to be their best self.
Laughter and Friends Cheesy and unoriginal, but good friends and a great belly laugh do much to calm my soul. One of the greatest gifts my husband brings to our marriage is the ability to make me smile in the midst of tense situations. And that emoji induced giggle I get via texts from a dear friend? Better than Valium, people.
The trick with all these “treatments”? Just like real life medications, they won’t work unless I take them. I’ve got to give myself permission to indulge, for the health of my soul. And so do you, my friend.
What do you do to take care of your soul? Do you do those things often enough?
I’m giving you permission today to treat your spirit and find your joy.
If you’d like to join the Who I Am project, visit Dana’s blog for details:
Great post, Julia. I have to merely say “ditto” to all the things you’ve listed. All so important. I also have several Mantra Bands and have bought many for family and friends over the years.
Thanks for the validation, Jessica! We’ve got to keep encouraging each other. What finish do you like for your Mantra Bands? Are they well received by family and friends? I’m thinking of featuring them as a “Word Nerd” gift for the holidays and would appreciate your feedback. Thanks for stopping by!
The silver Mantra bands are the most durable, because you can wear them 24/7 if you want, in the shower, while cleaning, etc. and seem to be a favorite among more sporty and younger people. The gold and pink gold are also very prettty, and hold up fine with regular wear. I have bought all finishes for friends (and myself!), and they are always loved and appreciated. Even the packaging has an inspiration message, and is a slim little box that slips nicely into an envelop for regular mail. I love them!
This is great info, thanks for sharing Jessica.
These are all so good – I picked up many gems. I listened to Gretchen and Elizabeth this morning! We have many things in common, including the stress of family life, but also what we turn to. I immediately turn to the running shoes and big outdoors; it clears my head and gives me a bigger picture. Also, SLEEP. Everything always looks more manageable in the morning.
LOVE those mantra bands…!
Good luck with that long to-do list. You’re doing such great work!
Sleep is SO important (did you hear the Arianna Huff interview on Happier?), and I’m giving myself permission to indulge in more of that too. A great addition to this “medication” list. 😉
What a great post Julia! I also feel like I have more energy to devote to others when I start my day with some exercise (swimming is my go-to)! I’ve read Gretchen Rubin’s books and enjoyed her perspective, but have yet to jump into her podcast. Thanks for the recommendations!
The podcast is a lot of fun; I hope you’ll try it. And yes, exercise first off is such a great way to start the day. That way I know I’ve done it and taken care of me – my attitude is much better. Happy to find a kindred spirit! Thanks for commenting.
I’m so glad this post was timely for you, Julia. Although I limited my “medicine” to just two things, I also could have included exercise and friends/laughter. I’d also include creativity if I took the time. I’m taking a writing class in December, so that would be a good time to start.
Congrats to your girls for a fabulous xc season, btw. They should be so proud!