“Nourishing yourself in a way that helps you blossom in the
direction you want to go is attainable, and you are worth the effort.”
~Deborah Day
What image comes to mind when you read the word blossom? Do you see a lush garden with thriving plants and flowers blooming? Do you visualize an image of a flower unfurling its petals expressing its unique beauty and creativity in the world? I love the concept of blossoming and the metaphor of gardening to explore the process of cultivating a self-nurturing practice. Choosing to nourish and blossom a practice feels especially important in these times of change and uncertainty.
Recently I planted sunflower, echinacea and wildflower seeds in my garden. Whenever I plant seeds, I get so excited about the possibilities that exist within each seed. Before I see any evidence of the seed sprouting, I hold the vision of the flowers blessing my garden and bringing joy and beauty to my life. This inspires me to tend the soil and water the seeds with a sense of hopefulness about what will soon unfold.
Just like the possibilities that unfold in our lives when we begin to cultivate a new self-nurturing practice, planting seeds is a vital step. The beginning of this growth process is tender and uncertain as we may wonder if this new activity will blossom into a supportive practice and if our efforts will pay off. Nourishing our motivation at the early stages of a new practice is critical to continuing it.
Planting seeds for your own growth requires trust, belief, and follow through. When you plant a seed, you don’t see all the ways the process is unfolding under the soil and don’t have evidence until the plant sprouts through the soil. It requires that you trust things are happening that you cannot see. It also requires that you water and tend to the seeds with consistent loving action and nurture the hope that with enough sunshine the seed with sprout.
Cultivating a new self-nurturing practice requires a similar attitude of trust, curiosity, and belief in the growth process. Setting an intention to engage in a new self-nurturing practice is how we plant seeds for our growth. If you choose a practice like meditating in the morning, journaling on what you acknowledge yourself for, sharing what you are grateful for, spending time sitting mindfully in the sun, walking in nature, doing yoga, dancing, or simply taking time to pause and connect with yourself, setting an intention and taking the first step are how you plant the seeds of your new practice.
To nourish your new practice, it is helpful to place it in your schedule or on your calendar. If you want to set yourself up for success, prioritize time for your practice on your calendar and make it non-negotiable for yourself. Reflect on how you feel after you engage in the practice and at the end of the week assess if the time you set aside is the best time to engage in that nurturing activity. If you find you are too tired at the end of the day to be consistent, find another time. The best way to support yourself is to be honest and compassionate and encourage yourself to continue as you nourish and blossom the practice.
Remember self-nurturing is about progress not perfection. Self-compassion and self-awareness are foundational to self-nurturing so please bring a spirit of kindness and curiosity to your experience and adapt as needed. I love this kind reminder from Stephen Covey, “Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender; it’s holy ground. There’s no greater investment.”
When you invest in yourself by planting the seed of a new practice, bring your loving attention and intention to nourish and blossom it into a practice. It may be helpful to incorporate a new practice at a time you engage in another nurturing activity to use that momentum to create a routine. If you have a morning meditation practice, you may include your gratitude practice at that time. If you exercise you may listen to an inspiring podcast when you work out. The possibilities are endless and can increase the nurturing you experience with these activities allowing them to truly blossom.
Another practice to support our blossoming is to weed things out of our lives that are no longer serving us. Just like nourishing the soil before you plant a new seed, weeding or decluttering your home, calendar, schedule, and commitments can support you in committing to your new practice. When you choose intentionally how you spend your time, you may find space and time to maintain your new nurturing practice. Think about weeding as a nourishing practice that helps you live more intentionally. You could even choose decluttering as one of your new self-nurturing practices.
By taking an active step to nurture yourself, you are nourishing your growth and contributing to your blossoming! When you commit to nurturing yourself you will find that you will begin to embrace your value and worth, feel more comfortable expressing your truth and creativity, make empowered decisions, include yourself in your daily priorities, live from a filled up and inspired place, and radiate your love and light in the world, knowing that nurturing yourself allows you to nurture others sustainably.
Through nourishing and blossoming your self-nurturing practice, you will know yourself better, be able to express yourself in authentic, mindful, and powerful ways and create a life filled with peace, joy and meaning. You will more easily prioritize yourself in your own life as you are filled up, blossom, and thrive. The more you nurture yourself, the more you value yourself. The more you value yourself the easier it is to prioritize nurturing yourself, creating a beautiful self-sustaining cycle.
Self-nurturing is the fastest route to thriving. When your practice is nourished, it will blossom with so much possibility! And you deserve it! You can be the gardener of your own thriving life by cultivating your self-nurturing practice.
I love this Zen poem by Pamela Metz and Jacqueline Tobin that reminds us to water our own gardens first.
“Grounded”
Stretching herself too thin, she breaks her connections.
Staying too busy, she has no time.
Doing for others, she neglects herself.
Defining herself only through others, she loses her own definition.
The wise woman waters her own garden first.
May we all be wise women, inspired to nourish and blossom our self-nurturing practice, to nurture peace, love and compassion in the world from the inside out!
Sending you so much peace, love and compassion, Kelley
