How do you nurture yourself?

Jesse · 08-31-2010, 11:01 AM

Simple Ways to Self Nurture

When you wake up in the morning take a few moments to remember your dreams, meditate, think happy thoughts, set your intention for the day.
Consciously nurture each of your senses every: (i.e. listen to a favorite cd, write in your journal, read a page of an inspirational book, moisturize your body with a great smelling lotion, look at/notice special pictures around your house, eat and savor the flavor of a piece of fresh fruit).
Before leaving the house do a body scan and release any tension you might be holding in your body. Pay attention to your breathing.
Be on time for all appointments.
When you are driving in a car listen to a cd of some beautiful music, or an inspirational/motivational speaker, or ride in silence so you can listen to you/your higher power, your inner wisdom, etc.
When you are stopped at a traffic light, pay attention to your breathing. Relax any tight muscles in your body and say an affirmation out loud (“I treat myself with love and respect every moment of every day”).
Keep a fresh flower or plant on your desk at work, and in your bedroom at home.
Throughout the day take a few moments to go outside to breathe in some fresh air to re-center and reconnect.
Set boundaries.
Acknowledge and celebrate what you accomplish during the day… no matter how small the task might be (i.e. I returned a phone call, I mailed some letters, I said a nice thing to myself, I said hello to a stranger, etc..)
Create a transition ritual for yourself when you arrive home from work to release your work day (change your clothes, take a shower, do some exercise, etc.. )
Don’t rush through meals, even if you have after meal obligations, Take the time to be present and enjoy your food. Keep the conversation positive at the dining table: (have everyone tell the best thing that happened to them that day!).
Allow yourself to feel.
Acknowledge and express gratitude for everything that goes well in your day (i.e. got a good parking spot, kept my word to myself, had a great conversation with a friend, etc.)
Create a bedtime pampering ritual (take a bubble bath, spend some time meditating, read a book, write in your gratitude journal, listen to beautiful music, etc..)
Sing, Dance, Play!
Take an art class.
Drink 8 glasses of water every day.
Go outside and notice the miracles and beauty of nature.
Get a massage.
Paint your nails.
Pluck your eyebrows.
Go on a weekend retreat.
Learn Yoga.
Learn to play a musical instrument.
Every time you look in the mirror say something loving to yourself.
Plant a garden.
Paint a room in your house a wild color!!
Go to a town you’ve never been to before and window shop.
Refute any unloving thoughts.
Know that you are perfect in this moment!!!
Lift weights.
Say a silent prayer for yourself.
Say a silent prayer for someone who drives you crazy!
Count your blessings.
Surround yourself with loving and supportive people.
Watch a sunrise or a sunset.
Hang inspirational and meaningful pictures in your house and at your work.
Keep affirmation and inspirational books around your house and read at least one page every day.
Spend some time near water.
Learn to say “no”.
KEEP YOUR WORD TO YOURSELF!!!

Sachita · 08-31-2010, 11:09 AM

This thread provoked some deep thoughts in. I spent most of yesterday whirling it around in my head. Along with the other clutter in my mind it took me and stole some moments.

I have never felt like someone was truly nurturing me. I never gave up to control to anyone or trusted anyone to just roll the ball. I know this sounds sad but its true. I always did that. I'm not sure if I was able to and just didnt know how to do it or perhaps did not meet the person I respected and trusted enough. Hell I'm not even sure I'm capable and there's another part of me that wonders if it really exist for anyone? Know what I mean?

well hell- this day will be spent thinking

Jesse · 08-31-2010, 11:34 AM

Here is a link to an article that really helped me to understand some things regarding self nurturing...

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/...self-nurturing

Jesse · 09-04-2010, 09:42 AM

I too have been doing a lot of thinking and work in this area the last couple of weeks.

I've realized that:

I was never nurtured as a child, nor was I taught how to be self nurturing.
In turn, I never allowed myself to be truly nurtured by anyone else
I learned how to nurture others later in life, but never how to self nurture
The whole self nurture thing bothered me at first, because I was taught that is selfish behavior.
I am able to teach myself how to do this.

Some of the ways I self nurture now:

I try to make sure that the things I need to have done are taken care of so that I do not have feelings of guilt .
I am exercising more; bike riding and walking on the treadmill.
I make sure to eat healthy, but do not forbid myself of things that I like that may not be so healthy; I just limit my intake of those.
I do what I need to do to take care of myself emotionally; that sometimes means leaving toxic people behind and I am okay with that.
I am working on going back to school, hopefully in January.
I tell myself the truth and that means doing my own inventory.
I allow myself to have a voice in things that are important to me.

Jesse

08-31-2010, 11:01 AM	#1
Jesse Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Transguy Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: single Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central West Coast of Florida Posts: 5,204 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 34,866 Thanked 17,780 Times in 3,940 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	Simple Ways to Self Nurture When you wake up in the morning take a few moments to remember your dreams, meditate, think happy thoughts, set your intention for the day. Consciously nurture each of your senses every: (i.e. listen to a favorite cd, write in your journal, read a page of an inspirational book, moisturize your body with a great smelling lotion, look at/notice special pictures around your house, eat and savor the flavor of a piece of fresh fruit). Before leaving the house do a body scan and release any tension you might be holding in your body. Pay attention to your breathing. Be on time for all appointments. When you are driving in a car listen to a cd of some beautiful music, or an inspirational/motivational speaker, or ride in silence so you can listen to you/your higher power, your inner wisdom, etc. When you are stopped at a traffic light, pay attention to your breathing. Relax any tight muscles in your body and say an affirmation out loud (“I treat myself with love and respect every moment of every day”). Keep a fresh flower or plant on your desk at work, and in your bedroom at home. Throughout the day take a few moments to go outside to breathe in some fresh air to re-center and reconnect. Set boundaries. Acknowledge and celebrate what you accomplish during the day… no matter how small the task might be (i.e. I returned a phone call, I mailed some letters, I said a nice thing to myself, I said hello to a stranger, etc..) Create a transition ritual for yourself when you arrive home from work to release your work day (change your clothes, take a shower, do some exercise, etc.. ) Don’t rush through meals, even if you have after meal obligations, Take the time to be present and enjoy your food. Keep the conversation positive at the dining table: (have everyone tell the best thing that happened to them that day!). Allow yourself to feel. Acknowledge and express gratitude for everything that goes well in your day (i.e. got a good parking spot, kept my word to myself, had a great conversation with a friend, etc.) Create a bedtime pampering ritual (take a bubble bath, spend some time meditating, read a book, write in your gratitude journal, listen to beautiful music, etc..) Sing, Dance, Play! Take an art class. Drink 8 glasses of water every day. Go outside and notice the miracles and beauty of nature. Get a massage. Paint your nails. Pluck your eyebrows. Go on a weekend retreat. Learn Yoga. Learn to play a musical instrument. Every time you look in the mirror say something loving to yourself. Plant a garden. Paint a room in your house a wild color!! Go to a town you’ve never been to before and window shop. Refute any unloving thoughts. Know that you are perfect in this moment!!! Lift weights. Say a silent prayer for yourself. Say a silent prayer for someone who drives you crazy! Count your blessings. Surround yourself with loving and supportive people. Watch a sunrise or a sunset. Hang inspirational and meaningful pictures in your house and at your work. Keep affirmation and inspirational books around your house and read at least one page every day. Spend some time near water. Learn to say “no”. KEEP YOUR WORD TO YOURSELF!!! __________________ “You’re so hard on yourself. Take a moment. Sit back. Marvel at your life: at the grief that softened you, at the heartache that widened you, at the suffering that strengthened you. Despite everything, you still grow. Be proud of this.”

08-31-2010, 11:09 AM	#2
Sachita Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Alpha Femme Preferred Pronoun?: Goddess Relationship Status: Completely in love Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Southern Virginia Posts: 3,225 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,564 Thanked 8,992 Times in 2,247 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	This thread provoked some deep thoughts in. I spent most of yesterday whirling it around in my head. Along with the other clutter in my mind it took me and stole some moments. I have never felt like someone was truly nurturing me. I never gave up to control to anyone or trusted anyone to just roll the ball. I know this sounds sad but its true. I always did that. I'm not sure if I was able to and just didnt know how to do it or perhaps did not meet the person I respected and trusted enough. Hell I'm not even sure I'm capable and there's another part of me that wonders if it really exist for anyone? Know what I mean? well hell- this day will be spent thinking __________________ You either like me or you don't. It took me Twenty-something years to learn how to love myself, I don't have that kinda time to convince somebody else. ~ Daniel Franzese

08-31-2010, 11:34 AM	#3
Jesse Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Transguy Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: single Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central West Coast of Florida Posts: 5,204 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 34,866 Thanked 17,780 Times in 3,940 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	Here is a link to an article that really helped me to understand some things regarding self nurturing... http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/...self-nurturing __________________ “You’re so hard on yourself. Take a moment. Sit back. Marvel at your life: at the grief that softened you, at the heartache that widened you, at the suffering that strengthened you. Despite everything, you still grow. Be proud of this.”

09-04-2010, 09:42 AM	#4
Jesse Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Transguy Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: single Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central West Coast of Florida Posts: 5,204 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 34,866 Thanked 17,780 Times in 3,940 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	I too have been doing a lot of thinking and work in this area the last couple of weeks. I've realized that: I was never nurtured as a child, nor was I taught how to be self nurturing. In turn, I never allowed myself to be truly nurtured by anyone else I learned how to nurture others later in life, but never how to self nurture The whole self nurture thing bothered me at first, because I was taught that is selfish behavior. I am able to teach myself how to do this. Some of the ways I self nurture now: I try to make sure that the things I need to have done are taken care of so that I do not have feelings of guilt . I am exercising more; bike riding and walking on the treadmill. I make sure to eat healthy, but do not forbid myself of things that I like that may not be so healthy; I just limit my intake of those. I do what I need to do to take care of myself emotionally; that sometimes means leaving toxic people behind and I am okay with that. I am working on going back to school, hopefully in January. I tell myself the truth and that means doing my own inventory. I allow myself to have a voice in things that are important to me. Jesse __________________ “You’re so hard on yourself. Take a moment. Sit back. Marvel at your life: at the grief that softened you, at the heartache that widened you, at the suffering that strengthened you. Despite everything, you still grow. Be proud of this.”