‘Tis the season of food, ladies. Warm, scrumptious, savory, steaming, freshly prepared indulgence. I mean, nourishment.
The inevitable pressure of hitting the gym with a solid routine beginning on the first day of January hasn’t quite reared its ugly head yet, so I invite you to get ahead of it this year: now is not the time to be hard on yourself about what the world thinks you need.
Now is the time to be soft with ourselves, like when we take that last bite of a home-cooked meal and think, that was so incredible that I need a nap.
Think back to the last warm meal you had where every bite just hit the spot. Invite yourself to revisit the very moment you finished: did you reflect on how delicious the meal was, or what was coming next?
Luckily, it doesn’t really matter what we think. Our bodies have a job to do: soaking up all the nourishment it can from every savory bite. If it’s a full meal, we get the signal to loosen our belts and relax so our bodies can take care of the rest.
We have been tending our gardens since the Spring, getting our hands and feet dirty through the work and play of the seasons. Now that we have celebrated our long awaited harvest, it’s time to reflect and digest all the love and lessons that are left on the table.
Here’s how we’re slowing down for the good old (and well-deserved) hibernation season.
Food for the soul helps us grow big and strong if we take the time to digest it properly. It is too often tempting to keep pace with the world and its expectations, constantly chasing rewards and opportunities to perform and prove ourselves worthy.
So how do we know that we are truly learning our lessons and digesting them to the fullest? By taking the time to make sure we can truly process them by living in the moment.
Think of living in the present like enjoying a full plate of food. You may be tempted to shove the broccoli off to the side, or even opt for more mashed potatoes instead; but the nourishment comes from the meal as a whole, and each ingredient is meant to compliment the rest. So take your time to explore what it takes for you to not only finish your plate, but to find fulfillment in every bite.
The steps to prepare are very similar to getting ready for dinner:
- Set the table. Prepare your space to feel calm and welcoming, even if you are dining solo. This is a space for you to feel at ease without distraction, so set it with that intention whether you’re adding candles and decor or simply tidying up.
- Wash your hands. Take some cleansing breaths and remind yourself that judgements and expectations can be washed away, and each feeling can come and go with simple observation. You have the power and grace to do that for yourself.
- Get it while it’s hot! When your plate is ready, don’t let it get cold. Life lessons are nourishment for the soul, and the longer we let them sit in front of us, the more difficult they will be to swallow. Just like you know the smell of a freshly prepared meal, you know when a lesson is ripe and ready for you to learn. You deserve the growth it was meant to nurture.
- Clean your plate. This does NOT mean finishing every bite if you’re already full! It’s ok to have leftovers to revisit when your soul is ready for more. Be sure to lovingly put it away instead of letting it sit out and remember that the sooner you get back to it, the better it will be.
Raise your hand if you’re a picky eater! Don’t be shy here – we’re only being honest with ourselves.
Take some time to reflect on your non-physical taste buds. What do you crave? What do you avoid? Why? Has your taste changed over the years, inviting new flavors and letting go of others?
Just like our bodies may not digest gluten or dairy, our minds and souls can have trouble processing something before finding it in a form we are meant to digest properly. If you’re facing a life lesson that is particularly challenging to swallow, try preparing it a different way before putting it on your plate. A new perspective is always a refreshing approach, and a little sugar or spice to taste can go a long way.
Grab your favorite journal and write down the food that has nourished your soul this year from the moment you began planting your seeds. There has been diligence, pacing, collaboration, and playfulness along the way. Dig deep here and savor those steps along your journey.
Now, write down the things that were more difficult to digest. How are you going to finish that part of your plate? Do you need to make these things into a meal of their own? Can you mix them in with something new, little by little? Dig even deeper here, because there is certainly time if you need to stick anything in the freezer to prepare on another Winter day.
Whether we intended to or not, our actions have resulted in these life lessons presenting themselves on our plates. Be careful in seeking blame, a needless pursuit that will only result in your plate getting cold as it sits. Instead, realize that every step you take toward living your best life will have a new lesson that is meant to bring you ever closer to your goal.
It’s easy to get stuck in the victim mentality, constantly striving to be out from under the thumb of whatever is trying to bring you down. This can have detrimental effects on your physical health, including headaches, muscle tension, sleep disturbances, and weakened immune function. Here is an excellent read by Masters Counselling that goes more in-depth on recognizing and breaking free of mindset limitations.
You may recall in the beginning when I jokingly referred to food as an indulgence. When it comes to food for the soul, let it be so.
We talk a lot about our journeys being nonlinear because we believe that each one deserves to be celebrated. After all, no one has walked your path before. You are the first to see the world with your own perspective, and the first to take on each unique challenge presented to you.
Give yourself the grace to properly digest that which is on your plate, however long or brief that time will be. Just like our bodies, our souls process in different ways, and that is okay. Some of us do better with small meals throughout the day, or we have to incorporate different ingredients in order to enjoy the same dish. Our creativity in living our lives, however internally, should always be celebrated!
Whatever adjustment you have to make for yourself to learn your life lessons, do it with pleasure and gratitude. Winter invites a large and quiet shift within us all, and we encourage each and every one of you to take it at your own pace.
So live your truth and nourish your soul in the way it deserves, no matter what expectation there is to go to the gym or stick with a daily grind. Just like the cycle of the seasons, we are meant to slow down and reflect. And just like everything under Mother Nature’s care, we are never truly alone in doing so.
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