We worry about other people judging us, when we’re really our own worst critics.
Yesterday was my first normal day in a long time. No more packing. No more moving. I could finally get back to my overflowing to-do list and jam-packed inbox. I could finally open the door to see clients again and take on interviews.
It felt good to be back at it—in my new and beautiful place. So, in the afternoon, I decided to celebrate. I walked over to our local florist for help deciding what we’re going to do for flowers. I was nodding along to all of her great ideas until she mentioned an orchid in the bathroom—not just any orchid, the most expensive I had ever seen. But she assured me that they stay alive for up to a month and are the most beautiful flower she has in her shop.
So I splurged and bought it. What the heck—I’m celebrating, right? And on the way out, she grabbed me and said, “Oh and make sure it gets a lot of water. More than any of the usual orchids you get. You can even submerge it completely under water.”
I paused for a second and then asked, “Why is that?”
And she shrugged her shoulders. “Some flowers just need a lot of water. Especially one this special.”
For whatever reason, her words stuck with me. As I walked back home and set the plants up—as beautiful as she promised—I started thinking about what she said. About how some plants need more water. And no one questions it. No one judges it. They just give it what it needs. Because we’d all do anything just to see something that beautiful. Even splurge for it every once in a while.
And I couldn’t help but think how much self-judgment I’ve had toward myself about rest and nourishment. About only being able to see up to two clients per day because those long and intense sessions take a lot out of me. Or how some days I need to rest more than I work. Or how I still take most of the day off and go for a massage and haircut every new moon (including today).
And then I looked back at that gorgeous orchid. And I realized that there’s no way in hell I’d be able to do all that I do—to hold space for people, to help them realize their purpose and turn that into a business, to write, to share myself, all of it—without a lot of rest.
I guess some things just need a lot of water.
So I decided to jump in my large claw-foot tub for the first time ever. And give myself that nourishment. With some essential oils, some Epsom salt, and a tea by my side.
And, sitting in my tub, in the late afternoon, totally relaxed, looking up to the clouds through the skylight above, I finally let it all go. And I realized that this was the best use of my time. Not creating busy work for myself. Not feeling guilty over taking time to rest. But doing this at this exact moment and enjoying it—that’s the life I want to lead.
And maybe that’s not true for everyone. Maybe people don’t need the rest that I do. Maybe people don’t want to take a bath in the middle of the day. Maybe massages aren’t their style.
But it’s okay that I do. It’s okay that I indulge in as much nourishment as I feel I need. It’s okay to listen to my body and let it guide me without any guilt at all.
We all have different needs. But the only way to really share our gifts fully with the world is to nourish those needs. All of them. Completely and guiltlessly.
How are you going to nourish yourself today?
Originally posted at BostonWellnessCoach.com
Photo: Ines Njers/Flickr
I know this is a very odd thing to ask someone you have never met but you would seem like a nice person to talk too about some of my problems. If you would be willing to email me that would be very helpful. If not I understand. Thanks for reading this.
This is the yoga of living: “doing [anything] at this exact moment and enjoying it.” One thing that comes to mind is making matcha (traditional Japanese green tea) every night. The process is meditative, clears the mind, and at the end, you enjoy one of humanity’s greatest beverages.
It’s the process and awareness of process that bring true fulfillment to all of life’s activities.