The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
I am interested in what people do to nourish themselves. I know as a recovering codependent I can really go out to lunch on not taking care of myself in so many ways. I am pretty poor at the moment, broke actually. Yet there are lots and lots of creative ways I can nourish myself. I go to the library for one. I also am volunteering some in the holidays, not to give to others (I admire those who do that but right now the focus is a big "ME").
I'm interested in what others do to nourish themselves. So many of us are surrounded on so many levels by stress, the economy, health issues, melt downs from being where we are or were. I know I will be in poverty for a few years, not just because of having lived with an A. I have tremendous issues with paying back debt and more. Poverty can of course also be emotional as well as financial. I lived with the A during better times but always felt like I was never nourishing myself. His needs always had to take priority and he was furious if I took care of myself. He wanted me around but did not want to make the relationship a priority for him. Of course I endured that now.
So how do you stop enduring. I'm interested to know. I've been inspired today to try to look for balance in my life. I don't know how to create it but I'm willing to work on it. What's more I am tired of being lonely and desperate over the holidays.
I'm more of an introvert. Therefore, I like to do things by myself frequently, especially after hanging out with friends. (Love the friends, but I get easily drained after a few hours).
In the spring, summer and fall, I am often in my garden. Yard work is not work to me. Digging in the dirt, planting, weeding the flowerbeds is therapy to me. I often get flashes of insight when I'm out there. In addition, I practice yoga almost every day, morning and evening. Yoga helps me quiet my mind, and I love how it keeps me strong and flexible. It feels great and it's quite meditative. But I realize that it is not for everyone.
I just found a great web site this week, with full yoga sessions on it. FREE! User-Friendly. The instructors are very skillful. PM me if you want the site. I don't know if it's allowed to post it on the board.
I like Stormie, go with practasing Yoga. It benefits you on so many levels, not just physical, improving your body, eneregy levels and sleep, but also it gives you lots of *food for thought* Yoga translates to union with God, there are lots of good books at the Library. If you could find a local class that would be great as the people you may meet there are a good sort.
I also like to treat myself without having the finacial means to do so.
I pick up any free/local news papers, look for local events/ art exhibitions etc.
Give yourself a pedicure it feels great
Try a new recipe then you get to eat and learn something new.
Revisit your music, dig out some old tunes and have a dance
If your fit try taking up running, it's the one thing thats saved my sanity.
Wish I lived on your side of the pond! Would be great to meet up your such an inspiration to me.
Yes, sometimes in the past I have spent an absolute fortune and felt empty. These days it can just be relating to people, doing my face, that is a full facial at home, For instance oatmeal and honey makes a great face pack, its messy but fabulous for skin, soothing etc. First you cleanse your skin, then steam your face, this is getting a towel and covering your head over a sink or basin of hot water, don't go too near, this opens the pores, then you can exfoliate, get the dead skin off dry oatmeal flakes can be used for this too, then your face pack lying on your bed with a towel under you something around your hair to keep it from getting messy, and relax, you can also squash up an avogado contents, this is superb also. I get psoriasis sometimes and its excellent. Ask in the chemists, I know you call them something different there for samples, for instance moisterisers, etc, I always do this, and its a great way to treat yourself when things are scarce, if they don't have any, ask them when they will, but I find that they are very good usually and will fork them out. Take care I'll be thinking of you,
It took me a few years to learn I can't nourish myself through obtaining "things". When my peace is feeling a bit off I often go to youtube and search out spiritual type speakers, like Wayne Dyer and Esther Hicks.
I do find that doing for others is always an uplift. I bet when you volunteer over the holidays that you get more out of it then you had planned. Especially in this tough time, there will be reason to acknowledge how fortunate we are as we see more and more people become homeless as foreclosures continue to be rampant.
When I lived in Michigan my sister in law and I moved our family's Thanksgiving Dinner to the weekendbefore so we could work in a soup kitchen. The people were always so grateful, knowing we had given up time with our own families to work there.
Karma is a strong universal law, it always returns to you. :) Nourish others and you'll be nourished.
Christy
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If we think that miracles are normal, we will expect them. And expecting a miracle is the surest way to get one.
I nourish myself by going outside and really looking and absorbing the natural beauty of the outdoors. I also place my bed so that when I wake up I can look up and out a window. I love laying down and looking up at the sky. There is a huge sycamore tree in the neighbors yard that I love to look at. Its branches reach up into the sky in a way that is very beautiful. I treat my eyes to treat myself. Look at beautiful things. places, etc. Pause to absorb this beauty. Really drink it in with your whole self. Its free, all it takes is time to pause and see and look. Hugs, J.
I've really enjoyed this thread because it has given me some new ideas that not only don't require money but are very flexible for time constraints. I have little bits of time between carting kids around and I look for 15 minute things I can do like read a book in the car when I am waiting.
I love music and the arts so I too take in the free days or events. I also try to walk, even if it is only 15 minutes and will walk inside our performing complex when there are music venues playing. I can get a free concert of different kinds of music as I walk near or past all the performance halls - I am in northern US so we have a lot of sky walks that connect all the bldgs.
Great post! thks, ddub
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"Choices are the hinges of destiny." Pythagoras You can't change the past, but you can change the future.
Maresie- I think it is great that you are taking time to nourish your soul. Whatever it is you decide to do, put your heart in it because it is for YOU.
I have posted before that I have taken up running, just this past May. When I started out I couldn't make it to the corner, and now I run at least 15 miles a week. I used to look at people running and thinking they were nuts! I guess I'm a nut now too. :)
I also live on a creek and the sunsets are so beautiful, the leaves are turning colors and the weather is cool. Great running weather with such pretty sights!!
