October 2022
🐰🐰 Nourish, Nurture, Indulge
“Hello October, I’ve missed you” – Unknown
The only constant is change...
… and in my humble opinion, the change into Autumn is most indulgent!
If I had a nickel for every time I have heard or said the phrase “self care” in the last 30 months, I could be retired on an island by now.
Early in the pandemic - and even in pre-pandemic days if you can remember back that far - we used this phrase as a reminder to prioritize things that promote physical and mental health.
However, when words or phrases are over-used they can shift from their original meaning, and in some cases even become irritating to hear. I’ve gotten to that point with this phrase.
Except the concept and the activities remain as important as ever, and since I need to encourage activities that promote positive mental and physical health and engage in them myself, I can’t avoid the phrase entirely. Most of you know by now, though, that I believe our choice of words is very powerful as words shape our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. So I needed to figure out a more palatable phrase that keeps the spirit and essence of “self care.”
Nourish, Nurture, Indulge is what I’ve settled on.
October seems like a perfect time to evaluate how we are doing with the care and keeping of ourselves. We’re preparing for what is traditionally a stretch of more time spent indoors, less sunlight, and reduced social and physical activity. And we can’t forget the stress of holidays (even positive experiences can be stressful)! As we prepare to settle in for the season, let’s make an effort to identify activities we can do to nourish, nurture, and indulge - for ourselves as well as our loved ones.
Nourish: provide with the food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition
Nurture: care for and encourage growth or development
Indulge: allow oneself to enjoy a particular pleasure
Some initial ideas… make comfort foods like soups and casseroles that are savory and full of healthy veggies and lean protein; hot cocoa and mulled cider with a good book or favorite movie, a brisk walk to see the leaves changing color, try out qi gong or yoga as indoor options for moving your body, learn to crochet a scarf for a friend, and paint along to a Bob Ross video. Consider, too, having a check up with your health care practitioner and getting your covid booster and flu shot if that’s part of your physical wellness plan.
Indulge a little or a lot… you’ve earned it.
I’d love to hear what other ideas you have!
If you want to take a quick look at how you’re doing with some basic nourish-nurture-indulge activities, here’s an assessment you can use. If you find an activity that you’d like to do more frequently, let’s talk in session about how to get started.
https://www.therapistaid.com/worksheets/self-care-assessment
Unique & special October holidays:
Some of my favorites:
National month for: Vegetarians, Adopt a Shelter Dog, and Domestic Violence Awareness
October 1-7 Get Organized Week
October 1 National Homemade Cookies Day - Oatmeal Raisin for me, please!
October 4 Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, starts at sundown.
An important Jewish holiday during which people seek to give and receive forgiveness and reconciliation with others
October 5 Do Something Nice Day
October 17 Bosses Day
October 19 Evaluate Your Life Day (You have a head start on this one!)
October 21 International Nachos Day… If you only celebrate one day a year, this would be a good one.
I'm grateful to know you and I thank you for letting me be a part of your journey. Please let me know if there is anything more I can be doing to support you.
Some housekeeping items:
Scheduling:
Autumn brings fall festivals, hiking weather, and more activities on our social calendars. I believe that family, friends, and fun are priorities in our lives, and am happy to reschedule our session time when you have something enjoyable to do (or otherwise important, like studying or a project).
Late cancellations (less than 24 hours notice) and no-shows may be charged a fee, so please communicate schedule changes with as much notice as possible. That allows us to reschedule, and I can offer the session time to someone else.
Just a reminder that sessions are scheduled for 45 minutes.
Crisis Numbers:
I recommend adding these to your contacts in your phone. If you don't need them, you might be able to share them with someone who does.
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: the new 988 line is live! 988 is the new Suicide Prevention Lifeline number. It's exciting to have an easy-to-remember number available to access crisis support quickly. For more information: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/current-events/the-lifeline-and-988/. The old number remains active as well: 1-800-273-8255
Text crisis line... you can send a text to 741741 and just write HOME and someone will get right back to you. https://www.crisistextline.org/text-us/
Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860
“October had tremendous possibility. The summer's oppressive heat was a distant memory, and the golden leaves promised a world full of beautiful adventures. They made me believe in miracles.” ― Sarah Guillory
Credits:
Oxford Language for definitions of nourish, nurture, indulge
(http://holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/october.htm)
