In the month of January, a number of social media posts target our soft spots. For example: Are you overweight? — “This diet is a must to decrease body mass.” Do you feel out of shape? — “This workout regime is vital for optimal fitness.” Anxious or depressed? — “This calming app is a necessity for well-being.” At the start of this new year, my goal is to move into a positive space and leave the negatives behind. I asked myself: “What are you doing this new year to feed your mind, body, and soul?
For starters, I chose to stop beating myself up for “not enough-ness.” Intentional self-care is much more gratifying than chasing unattainable perfection.
In this article, I’m outlining six self-care items I’m focusing on in the new year. (I also added a bonus section when I reached the end!) I’d love to hear what you are doing in this new year to feed YOUR mind, body, and soul.
(Disclosure: Late Bloomer in Bakerville is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for websites to earn advertising revenues by advertising and linking to Amazon.com )
Feed Your Mind
1. Books
I love to read. If you don’t, perhaps an audio book, podcast or vlog are more interesting to you. Books provide me time to relax, take a time-out, and wander away in another world. I was gifted a fabulous book titled, Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan. Promise I will not give away a word of it so you can enjoy the journey yourself. I can tell you it is suspenseful in the best “I-cannot-put-it-down” kind of way. It is also powerfully moving and thought-provoking. I also enjoyed how the theme of beekeeping and honey is woven and connected throughout the story. Here is a link and a quick summary for you: Mad Honey.
2. Experiment
I have always classified myself as a life-long student. I love to learn and experiment. And the kitchen is one of my lab spaces (good or bad!) During the pandemic, I tried starting sourdough along with everyone else. That attempt didn’t yield great results.
This holiday season, I was gifted a sourdough starter kit from Ballerina Farm. The starter, named “Willa,” is freeze-dried and accompanied by detailed instructions. The packaging alone felt like a gift. The farm logo appears burned or branded into the box. It takes five days to revive the starter into nature’s bubbly magic. I recently made my first batch of sourdough discard crackers and plan to make focaccia next. I can’t imagine how many other countertops this mother batch of Willa is fermenting on around the country. Science is fascinating!
I also loved the Weck jar that came in my kit. I recently ordered two more to add to my kitchen lab!
Feed Your Body
3. Mediterranean Fare
Every time I say the word “diet,” I immediately adopt a mindset of scarcity. I don’t need to explain it; we have all experienced it. For me: If it’s not allowed, I want it.
For this reason, I am not saying “Mediterranean Diet.” I am rather going to say Mediterranean Fare or Mediterranean Cuisine. The truth is, I love Mediterranean food, and you likely do too. After all, the Mediterranean basin spans the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Africa. So, this includes varied cultures and the dishes associated with them. Mediterranean fare is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and olive oil. It is low in saturated fats and high in lean sources of protein like fish. And, red wine, in moderation, is a bonus inclusion! If you would like to research the benefits, Google-search the Mediterranean Food Pyramid compared to the Western Food Pyramid.
Instead of denying ourselves, why not welcome delicious foods into our lives? I’m doing that by exploring Mediterranean cuisine. I’ve started with a new cookbook along with a few family recipes. This za’atar popcorn recipe is a super simple snack to start with. I also like this cookbook in particular: The Complete Mediterranean Cookbook. It is an excellent introduction to Mediterranean food. There are recipes for small plates (tapas), main courses, sides, soups, and desserts. There is also a resource section on Mediterranean food as well as a pantry stocking guide.
Also try Mediterranean fare when you go out to eat. We celebrated New Year’s Eve just that way. Additionally, we sampled an authentic Greek menu just a week later at a friend’s suggestion. Explore your own neighborhood for new restaurants and new tastes!
4. Yoga
No more body shaming. This year, I’m prioritizing physical activity that feels good and is restorative. I want to disengage from a mindset which views exercise as a chore and a punishment. My goal is to incorporate a physical activity that I can gently work myself into and build on gradually. For me, that has more staying power. If you are someone who benefits from group exercise, a gym environment, or just powering through – go for it! We all need to find our niche and make no apologies for it.
From a fitness perspective, I need to take smaller, more intentional steps. I find Yoga with Adriene Mishler supportive and holistic. Toning, stretching, sculpting, and building strength are my objectives this year. I have tried Adriene’s “Home” 30-day series on YouTube and am looking forward to moving into her new “Center” series.
Feed Your Soul
5. Mentors
Two online mentors are currently inspiring me in both my business and personal life. I’ve sampled each of their small workshop offerings. And, I also follow their podcasts, blogs, and YouTube channels for inspiration. The first is Lisa Bass at Farmhouse on Boone. I first discovered her on YouTube. Her channel introduced me to the Instant Pot and the Berkey Water filter. I later discovered her instructional material for creating blog content and found my niche! This year, another holiday gift I received was registration in her course: Create Your Blog Dream. (As you can tell from the gifting this year, my loved ones know me well!) I cannot wait to soak up all the information Lisa has to offer; just watch me grow!
6. Inspiration
The other influence in my life right now is Tonya Leigh and The School of Self-Image. Her content speaks to me and is life changing! If you want to learn more, there are hundreds of School of Self-Image podcasts available to listen to. I recently signed up for her “Live Like an Editor” workshop and monthly membership. If you want to elevate your self-image in the areas of mindset, style and surroundings; I highly recommend researching Tonya’s content!
Bonus Section
7. Beautiful Surroundings
When considering the question: “What are you doing this new year to feed your mind, body, and soul?,” I couldn’t leave out the concept of beautiful surroundings. So, I’ve added this bonus to my original list.
In the new year, consider clearing and personalizing your space. Over time, I’m replacing department store decor with more intentional, personal selections: furniture pieces from my husband’s woodworking shop, artwork and jewelry created by talented family members and friends. These pieces are unique and very personal. All are irreplaceable. Even nature provides opportunity to elevate your space. My holiday fireplace mantel this year included turkey feathers collected from outdoors. They belong to a gang that cross our property daily. We view (and hear) their award flight trajectory into and out of the tall pines every morning and evening. I smiled each time I caught a glance of their quills amongst the holiday greenery.
8. Who in your life creates one-of-a-kind pieces?
Display them! Do you have a treasured relationship with a beloved pet? Trim some of their hair to embellish a piece of handmade pottery. The photo below is a horse hair vase made by Timco Art Pottery. Consider handmade jewelry created by a local artisan. In the middle photo, I’m sharing a beautiful handmade ring by Shades of Indigo Creations. I own a similar pendant of hers and it has become my signature piece. Handmade artwork is unique, personal and precious. I have a few pieces by Jenwyz_art. Visit her on Instagram. My last photo is an example of one of her ink creations. She also has printed fabric designs, cards and frameable artwork, with a soon-to-open Etsy store.
Make this year personal.
Make it your own.
What are you doing this new year to feed your mind, body, and soul?
My intentions:
1) Each day, wear something I’ve made. It could be a scarf or a stretchy bracelet, or a sweater or ….
2) Knead bread dough by hand. It’s the same rhythm as an ocean’s waves and can have a similar de-fragging impact.
3) Laugh.
4) Accept challenges that drop in my lap, and knead them by hand too.
5) Balance stress with art. It is the antidote for almost everything, as is homespun anything, kneading by hand, and laughter.
I love all five of your intentions:
(1) You are one of the most creative people I know; talented, intuitive, and gifted in several mediums.
(2) I need to learn kneading secrets from you. The wave analogy is romantic. The de-fragging, powerful.
(3) Yes. Laugh. I find it medicinal both physically and spiritually! (I’ll send you an Instagram post in a minute – it made me snort my coffee!)
(4) Challenges: Again, I love the knead analogy; I’m working on editing my thoughts…for example: if my mind poses a ” but, what if…” (negative) question, I am intentionally flipping it to a “but, what if…” (positive) question.
(5) Your art…yes, yes, yes!