“What is the basic nutrition of the soul? Well, it differs from creature to creature, but here are some combinations. Consider them macrobiotics. For some women, air, night, sunlight, and trees are necessities. For others, words, paper, and books are the only thing that satiate. For others, color, form, shadow, and clay are the absolutes. Some women must leap, bow, and run, for their souls crave dance. Yet others crave only a tree-leaning peace.”

• Dr. Clarissa Pinlola Estes (from Women Who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype)

The whole purpose of Ayurveda is to cultivate physical and mental health so that your body becomes a tool to connect to your higher self. This means it’s just as important to feed your soul as it is to feed your body.

What is the basic nutrition of your soul?

Well, like the quote above says, it varies from person to person. You could start by considering the simple things in life that bring you joy.

What are the things that you get lost in that feel like a connection to your higher self?

If you feel stuck, think back to a time in your life when you were able to get lost in a hobby or activity.

For me personally, the nutrition of my soul is time in nature, a daily yoga practice, reading and writing. Figuring out a way to do each of these things feels just as important as following a daily routine or cooking healthy foods.

I talk about time in nature in episode 23 of the Simple Ayurveda Podcast: Minimalism + Motherhood.

For mamas, I think it’s really important we know the simple things that make us happy so that we don’t feel deprived and become resentful. There are phases in life where we will generally have more or less time to ourselves.

Right now I am in the toddler & young childhood stage of parenting where I don’t have much alone time. For me, figuring out ways to include my children in the activities that feed my soul has been a way to make sure I actually do these things and therefore feel happier and more joyful.

One example is taking them to the park and watching them play while I practice yoga in a patch of grass. I don’t take a mat, I expect to be interrupted and sometimes I feel a little bit awkward if other people show up. But overall, this practice of yoga in the park when they play has made it possible that I do what feeds my soul every single day. I am willing to get dirty, stop and change a diaper or smile at a stranger while in crescent lunge.

Here are a few things to consider...

What are the simple things in life that bring you joy?

What are you willing to let go of to make time for more joy?

How can you include your family?

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