Soul care is attending to the longings of your heart, acknowledging your feelings of weariness and recognizing the early signs of burn out and fatigue. It’s loving yourself enough not to ignore those signs, but to take action and address them. Taking care of yourself is at the heart of nourishing your soul.
Let’s explore the 5 STEPS TOWARD INNER PEACE, which are principles to prioritize self-care in our lives. Let’s delve into it!
Be Present
 |
See, feel, hear, touch, taste and experience what is happening around you. If it’s a beautiful day outside, step out on the sidewalk for a little Vitamin D. If you’re with friends, resist the urge to stay married to your phone. If you’re at home, consciously choose activities that nourish your soul. How many times have we mindlessly scrolled through social media or binge watched TV, only to feel like we didn’t accomplish anything later. Being present is about being attentive to what’s happening around you.
Examine Where You Are
Your soul is the composition of your mind, body and spirit. So, soul alignment is bringing all of those things into balance. I practice a Christian faith tradition, so for me, I seek that alignment through prayer. But, for someone else, that might look like meditation, practicing stillness or quieting the hurry in life to create the space to examine where you are. Ask yourself the following:
- How is your body?
- How’s your breathing?
- What have you been eating?
- How’s your soul?
- How do you feel?
Take Action
Be willing to actively take steps to be the best version of yourself and prioritize wellness. That might mean scheduling time for a walk or hiding out in the bathroom to get some alone to think. Earlier this month, I spent the day journaling, meditating and being with my thoughts. I jotted down some goals and it felt so good! That deliberate action of journaling was nourishing to my soul.
For those of you who are parenting in the midst of a pandemic, this might mean bartering with a friend to find some time away for yourself. Because action is about the practical implementation of the things that you become aware of.
Compare (to Yourself)
 |
Comparing yourself – not to anyone else- but to yourself and measuring progress over time. Observe how you have grown, changed, evolved or developed in one or more areas. Identify any shifts that have occurred in your life over time and take inventory for that means for you today.
Evaluate
Evaluate what’s working well for you. If you’re focusing on healthy eating, evaluate how it’s going. If you are trying out a new workout regime, evaluate how your body is feeling. If you’re focused on spending more time with family, evaluate how successful you have been in doing that.
We would love to hear from you! What strategies are working for you on your self-care journey or quest for inner peace? Drop a comment and let us know.
