“Caring for your body, mind, and spirit is your greatest and grandest responsibility. It’s about listening to the needs of your soul and then honoring them.”
~Kristi Ling
We are in week two of the New Year and I am wondering how you are doing with your resolutions or the intentions you set for creating more healthy habits in your life? Have you maintained your momentum or is your enthusiasm starting to wane?
I love the start of the new year because there is naturally an energy and motivation that fuels healthy choices and a power that comes with a fresh start. My personal practice before setting new intentions is to reflect on the past year and acknowledge the healthy habits that I have nurtured and the difference they have made for my health and wellbeing. I love to ask these questions of my clients, family, and friends as well.
When I asked, I was blessed to hear about the wonderful self-nurturing practices my clients have been nurturing over the past year. One shared that her gratitude practice included texting three blessings from the past day to her best friend each morning. Another client acknowledged that she had nurtured more friendships and had cultivated a beautiful support system. Other women shared that they had set more boundaries, challenged their negative self-talk, been more compassionate especially when making mistakes, used loving affirmations, and prioritized time for self-nurturing.
All of these women were able to recognize that these self-nurturing practices supported them in doing things over the past year that they were really proud of. What a blessing to recognize the positive impact of nurturing ourselves!
So, what healthy habits have you nurtured over the past year and what difference did they make in your life? Can you connect any of these nurturing practices to supporting you in the areas of your life you feel proud about?
Pausing to acknowledge what we feel proud of about ourselves is such a powerful act of self-nurturing, and especially important when we are at the beginning stages of making a new change. If we reflect on our strengths before looking at the areas we want to develop, we reinforce our ability to change and grow. When starting to nurture a new habit it is helpful to have examples of other successful changes we have made, which can give us the confidence when things become challenging.
In addition, responding to ourselves with compassion and kindness when we begin nurturing new healthy habits is crucial for the sustainability of this new habit. Giving ourselves permission to do the best we can but not get caught in the trap of perfectionism is a loving and wise choice. Nurturing a new practice is courageous and requires a commitment to yourself and the understanding that Kristi Ling shared that it is our greatest and grandest responsibility.
Whatever healthy habit you are nurturing whether it is meditating, eating more mindfully, exercise, stress management, positive self-talk, expanding your support system, or learning new things, bring the energy of love and joy to your experience of the new habit. Give yourself permission not be perfect but rather see each healthy choice as an act of self-nurturing. Start small and acknowledge each nurturing choice as an act of love and commitment for yourself. And celebrate your accomplishments! Staying positive will fuel your healthy choices and bring you joy in the process.
May you nurture your new healthy habits with love, joy, and compassion as you nurture peace in the world from the inside out!
Sending you so much peace, love and gratitude,
Kelley Grimes, M.S.W.
Counselor, Author & Speaker
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Last year my self-care regime had a lot of praying and meditation to keep me calm and centered while I recovered from my surgeries and could not exercise the way I wanted to. This year, I’m back in the game and exercises and walking are going to be non-negotiables.
How empowering Vatsala that you chose to nurture yourself through prayer and meditation as you healed and to now are able to exercise again. Congratulations! Thank you so much for sharing your process and enjoy your new freedom!
Awesommmme Kelley
Perfection has been an issue I battled with for a while and that stalled me.
Today I can say some healthy habits like taking morning walks and meditating or praying have been the best so far.
Am taking it into 2019 and adding some more healthy eating and self care tooo.
Beautiful Leila! How wonderful to leave perfectionism in the past. I love your self-nurturing practices and encourage you to continue to treat yourself with love and compassion as you nurture healthy eating and more self care in 2019! I really appreciate your comment!
Thank you for so eloquently stating the importance of fostering a healthy start to the new year. I will be pondering on your words as I go through my day.
Thank you so much Laura! I am grateful for your comment!
Last year I learned how freeing it can be to let go of trying to control things all the time. It certainly lifted a huge weight off of me. Looking forward to more ways I can honor myself this year.
What a beautiful and liberating way to honor yourself Barb! Letting go of what does not serve us is a powerful way to make space for new healthy and nurturing habits. Thank you so much!
Great timing, Kelley! Nurturing myself has been my main focus since I left on my journey several months ago. The following statement really resonated with me: “Give yourself permission not be perfect but rather see each healthy choice as an act of self-nurturing.” YES! I don’t need to be perfect, I’d rather be healthier and more joy-full. Thank you for the inspiration!
I am so happy that statement resonates with you because giving up perfectionism is one of the most self-nurturing thing we can do! Thank you so much for your comment Cindy! Wishing you much joy and health as you continue to nurture yourself in the New Year!
Over the past year I have found much more of a balance between my spiritual life and my physical life. It has enhanced both for me. While I’ve always taken care of myself I added much more self care and time for myself over the past year. I will take this all into this new year and expand.
Beautiful Heather! I love the intention of more self-nurturing expanding in the New Year! Thank you so much!
I too love love love the new year because of its gorgeous natural positive energy. Its so easy to commit to positive intentions. I have always been one for a self nurturing morning routine. I pray, meditate, walk and read first thing in the morning…before I begin anything else. This year I am have up the ante a bit, by adding running to the mix. This is huge for me, as I have never been a running person….an to take it up at 41! But it feels so good. I’m just hoping my legs adjust to this new energy I have 🙂
How exciting Zeenat! I love all the self-nurturing practices you engage in and I totally impressed that you are adding in running this New Year! Thank you so much for your comment!