I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to be nourished these days.

According to Mirriam-Webster, to nourish means to promote the growth of and/or to furnish or sustain with nutriment : FEED.

I haven’t always been the greatest about nourishing my whole self well.

Mostly because I didn’t know myself well.

I mean, it’s hard to help something thrive when you have no idea what it needs, right?

So, long story short, I started paying attention to what I needed and then worked to provide it.

It’s really that simple. And that complex. Chronic pain and weakness don’t let anything be easy,

Mostly that looks like:

• honoring the way my brain and body work

• discovering new habits to sustain necessary changes

• eating with the aim of providing my body with the fuel it needs

• reminding myself that food isn’t the enemy

• honoring cravings and paying attention to why I may be having them

  • learning that sometimes cravings aren’t for specific food, but for sensory experiences (crunchy, crispy, melty, etc.)

• setting boundaries for myself (then forgiving myself when I overstep them)

• pushing myself to try things I’ve always wanted to, but thought I wasn’t able to (Yoga!)

• advocating for myself in healthcare settings

• staying creative in all the ways I’m able to

I’m going to be very honest here and say consistency is hard. HARD.

When our schedules get intense or my body just says “nope”, it’s hard to keep all of these new habits and mindset shifts going.

But I try.

And I fail.

Then I try again.

What is nourishing you, lately?

What ways do you nourish all the facets of who you are?