Over the last few years, I have not had the time to devote to writing posts for my blog. Some of my original intentions for creating it never came to fruition. Life and my every day took precedence. Sprinkle in having a love-hate relationship with being perceived, writing for it became something I rarely muster up the courage for these days. However, I was recently reminded of the importance of pouring into what nourishes us, which prompted me to write this post.
Life, work, daily responsibilities, and simply hard seasons, can leave you so depleted that you put the things that nourish your spirit on the back burner. If you are not careful, you can eventually find it easier to allow yourself to go through life on autopilot because there is less resistance. Less resistance can almost resemble a break when your soul is tired.
One reason this is problematic is that you can only function on fumes for so long. At some point, even autopilot will not be enough to keep you going. This is why I used to stress the importance of the seven dimensions of wellness. When these seven interconnected areas are being poured into, it can add to your overall well-being and help you to be at your optimal overall health. Nonetheless, when life, work, daily responsibilities, and hard seasons chip away at one or all seven dimensions of wellness, it is easier to stop putting in time and effort to ensure your spirit is being replenished. Sometimes, you are just too tired to do so. Sometimes, you wonder where you would even find the time.
I have found that learning how to block time that is solely devoted to nourishing your spirit has made the biggest difference in my own life. I would propose starting small with just a few hours in your week exclusively for this practice. This could be a creative outlet, journaling, reading, quiet time, exercising, or even coffee with a loved one. Speaking from personal experience, your inner being will begin to feel restored, grounded, and help you navigate the less enjoyable parts of your week.
While I am still learning to nourish my own spirit, there is one thing I know for sure. This ties in perfectly with Psalm 23. We lack nothing when the Lord is our shepherd. I find comfort in that when I am feeling depleted. He truly does restore our soul. Remember: you do not have to master every area of your life to feel nourished. You just need to focus on what helps you feel sustained.
