Soulful Self-Care: Nurturing the Inner Self and Spiritual Practices

Spirituality: relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things; an individual’s search for sacred meaning and purpose in life while sensing that humans are part of a whole that is greater and ineffable

Self-Care: taking an active role in protecting and improving upon one’s own health and well-being

What does self-care look like in the context of spirituality? And how does one define spirituality and self-care as it relates to their own human experience? Self-care is a bit of a buzz word, and in mainstream media or understanding we might define self-care as activities that are self-indulgent. We might imagine a person drinking a cup of coffee on their patio first thing in the morning before starting their work day, or a couple splurging on a romantic date at a fancy restaurant. While these activities are valid and pleasurable as forms of self-care, I hope self-care can also be a conscious and intentional practice of tending to the needs of our inner selves. It involves connecting with the deepest aspects of who we are, acknowledging our emotional and intellectual energy and essence, and prioritizing practices that nurture the soul. So what does this actually look like? Spirituality and self-care alone, and together, can be highly individualized for each person, but I hope to give some ideas as to how to explore this.

Why Soulful Self-Care Matters

Inner Alignment

When self-care is addressed through the lens of spirituality, this allows us to align with our innermost values and beliefs. By engaging in practices that resonate with our inner, most authentic, selves, we foster a sense of inner understanding, curiosity, and acceptance. We might ask ourselves- how well do we truly know who we are? And can we be aligned with ourselves if we don’t find curiosity and compassion for all parts of ourselves- even the parts that hold onto fears, wounds, and “faults”? The first step to soulful self-care is coming to know our deepest selves, and in turn coming to understand what we truly value, think, feel, believe, and resonate with. Simply start with curiosity.

Connection to Purpose

Engaging in spiritual practices often connects us to a sense of purpose and meaning in life. When finding what spiritual practices aid us in coming home to ourselves- such as meditation, tarot, prayer, mindfulness, time spent in nature, or countless other things- we can allow these practices to be a guiding light, steering us toward actions and decisions aligned with our higher selves. Finding what resonates with us on a deep level, and what feels meaningful and purposeful, can help reduce stress and significantly improve our overall well-being.

Emotional Resilience

Nurturing the inner self enhances emotional resilience. When we prioritize soulful self-care, we develop a reservoir of strength that empowers us to face adversity with a greater sense of calm and composure. Spiritual practices serve as an infinite, unbreakable thread tying us to life itself, which in turn can grant us perspective and peace when we as individuals face chaos.

Soulful Self-Care Practices

Journaling and Reflection

A simple practice to integrate self-care and spirituality is to create a space for self-reflection and emotional processing. Journaling is a helpful way to explore your thoughts, emotions, and insights. If you’re new to journaling, it might be helpful to seek out simple journal prompts to encourage self-reflection. You might seek out a journal that already has prompts printed in it. Journaling is a tool to aid us in inner alignment, helping us build awareness of our inner selves by creating space to connect with our inner experience.

Nature Connection

Spending time in nature, appreciating its beauty and tranquility, can have a remarkable ability to rejuvenate the spirit and create a sense of harmony within. This might look like taking a walk in your neighborhood, standing in the grass or snow in your yard, spending quality time with your pets or plants, going on hikes in more rural areas, road tripping through beautiful locations, or dedicating time to just sitting or being outside near or far away. Bring your awareness down from your head into your body, noticing your physical sensations and breathe. Pay attention to the interplay between your being and the energy around you. Not only can nature connection increase your awareness of your experience and self, this connection tunes us into the life and world around us. We become aware of our existence as one part of a whole.

Sacred Baths

Integrate sacred baths into your self-care routine, if possible. Infuse your bath with herbs, essential oils, or crystals that align with your spiritual intentions for healing and renewal. In doing so, we bring curiosity and focus to the energy of physical objects while building awareness of what we would like to release and what we would like to invite into our lives. Spirituality and self-care can look like building respect for, and relationships with, “inanimate” objects. We come to understand our own felt sense in relation to our environment, and the objects within, and learn to humble and empower ourselves as we coexist. Humility through respect, and empowerment through manifestation.

Candlelit Meditation

Wind down the day with a candlelit meditation. Focus on the flame, allowing it to symbolize the light within you. This practice promotes relaxation and inner calm. You might also choose to enhance the atmosphere with elements that resonate with your spirit. Consider using incense or calming music to create a sacred ambiance conducive to inner reflection.

Rituals for Inner Healing

Gratitude Rituals

Cultivate a gratitude practice. Regularly express gratitude for what you’re thankful for in your life, fostering a positive outlook and deepening your connection to the present moment. Rituals can serve as intentional acts that not only connect us to our inner selves but also contribute to emotional well-being. Rituals geared toward cultivating gratitude can serve as a way for us to consciously connect with what drives us and what resonates with us in our lives.

Moon Rituals

Moon rituals can look like engaging in soulful, spiritual self-care practices during a full or new moon. Create a sacred space with chosen candles, herbs, crystals, music, and other items. Use this space to journal, pull tarot cards, move your body through stretching or dancing, or meditate. Moon rituals can serve as a dedicated space to consider what intentions you would like to set for yourself (if it’s a new moon), or what you would like to shed or release in your life (if it’s a full moon). Engaging in a personal ritual that is aligned with the power and expanse of the world beyond ours can connect us to a greater whole.

Cultivating Inner Healing and Radiance

Soulful self-care invites us to turn our gaze inward, recognizing the profound importance of nurturing the inner self through spiritual practices. By prioritizing these practices, we cultivate a sense of inner radiance that positively influences our mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The truest form of well-being starts with you, and by integrating self-care and spirituality we open the door to knowing our most authentic selves not in isolation, but in relation to what we know, and do not know, about the world around us. Remember, the path to inner healing is uniquely yours, and each spiritual practice contributes to the beautiful tapestry of your holistic well-being. Don’t forget, you’re not alone.