Nourishing My Five Senses

I’ve been digging into how to create a positive mindset surrounding winter this year, and I have to say it’s going quite well. And one thing that came to mind as I was journaling one morning, surrounded by candles, incense, a hot drink, warm slippers and soft music was how I was attending to each of my senses in one way or another and how calm and wonderful I felt. 

So, I kind of set a goal of making it a priority each day to check in with myself periodically to see if I was taking care of each of my senses. And I have found that when I give focus to each one my days are just so much better. 

Today I wanted to take you through the different senses and different things I’ll do to nourish each. 

Sight | 

Let’s start at the top. Every morning I start with around 15-20 minutes of tidying. I find that when everything is in its place my mind is so much clearer. This includes keeping my desk clean throughout the day.

Another thing I like to do when I first sit down at my desk in the morning is light some candles and flick on the warm floor lamp to create a soft, calm glow instead of clicking on the harsh overhead light. I’ve been avoiding the harsh fluorescent lights first thing in the morning and last thing at night. 

And finally, I like to decorate my space with things that are going to make me happy. Pieces of “art”, photos, a felt letter board, and a growing yucca plant next to my desk. And since it’s that time of year I turn on my Christmas tree each morning and that always gives me a instant fuzzy feeling inside. 

Smell — Moving right along, think of some of your favorite smells, and the feeling they give you. There’s nothing like taking a nice deep inhale of fresh air when you’re outside. Or letting the smoke from an incense waft through your space. Walking into your house after you’ve baked cookies, freshly washed clothes, new babies, the list goes on. Anytime a smell stands out to me (in a good way) I make sure to breathe it in once more and be present with the good feelings floating around inside. In the morning my scent of choice is a nag champa incense.

Hearing — Even though I enjoy driving in silence when I’m alone, I love putting on some easy going background music first thing in the morning when I sit down, or some more upbeat music later in the day when I need a little pick me up. 

Podcasts are also growing on my list when it comes to walking places or for those times I don’t want to drive in silence. 

Taste — Mmm food. I’ve been doing a much better job the past month or so of eating breakfast. I have to make it a point to make sure I fix something for myself or it can slip into lunchtime before I notice I haven’t eaten. 

Another way to hit those taste buds is something to drink. This month that’s been a nice hot mug of herbal tea, it’s normally a cup of coffee, and sometimes in the summer, it’s a big smoothie in a mason jar. 

Not to mention stopping for snack breaks and yummy meals throughout the day while I work. And it’s pretty common for there to be a chocolate bar or something similar tucked into a desk drawer. 

Touch — And finally, possibly the most important part of being “cozy”. I opt for a simple, comfortable outfit. Jeans and a sweater. And when I’m home that always includes knitted socks made by my mom and my slippers Michael gave me for Christmas last year.

I made sure I got an office chair with a nice cushion for my bum and topped it with a soft pillow to lean back on. If I get extra chilly I will wrap myself in a blanket. Not to mention the space heater I have next to me while I work. Once I flip that on and shut the door my space becomes nice and toasty. 

If I find myself feeling out of sorts during the day I’ll step back to assess the situation. Often it’s a simple fix of adding something to nourish a sense I’ve been neglecting. And I know this can sound all a bit woo-woo, but I promise it’s been doing wonders for me. 

What are the ways in which you attend to your different senses throughout the day? 

Discovering Hygge + Taking on Winter

To be honest, I think I discovered this on Pinterest. I think it was outlining what Hygge was, and I remember finding myself thinking, alright I like the sound of that. 

And it inspired me to make the conscious decision to approach winter in a different way. A similar way to how I now view my menstrual phase and the days leading up to it. 

It’s not my favorite phase, but I’ve amazed myself on how I’ve been able to change my mindset towards it. And that’s what I plan to do with winter this year as well. 

You see, I’ve always told myself I’m not a cold weather person. That I’ve never “liked” winter. There were even a few years in high school that I “protested” by not wearing a winter coat. Who do you think that impacted? Yeah, me. 

If you think you don’t like winter the last thing you should do is under dress for it. 

This year I’m preparing in every way possible. Physically, mentally and emotionally. Dramatic? Possibly, but I need a drastic attitude change. 

And I’m going to use hygge to guide me. 

I know I’m behind the times, and this was pretty popular last year, but if you’re unfamiliar to hygge here’s how it’s defined in a book I’m reading, “The Book of Hygge”:

"Hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”) is a quality of presence and an experience of belonging and togetherness. It is a feeling of being warm, safe, comforted and sheltered. 

Hygge is an experience of selfhood and communion with people and places that anchors and affirms us, gives us courage and consolation.

To hygge is to invite intimacy and connection. It’s a feeling of engagement and relatedness, of belonging to the moment and to each other. Hygge is a sense of abundance and contentment. Hygge is about being, not having."

When I got back from France it was 30 degrees colder, and gray out. Instead of wallowing at home about the abrupt change, I decided to act on my desire for a different approach. 

I went to two stores, bought a new comfy sweater at the thrift store, and then soft sweatpants and two candles at a discount store. 

I headed home triumphant with my new things, lit my candles, took a nice hot bath and then snuggled up in my comfy finds ready to accept the cold weather with grace. 

Since coming home I’ve made a conscious effort each morning to “nourish my five senses”:

+ tidy up and light a few candles (sight)

+ put on soft music (hearing)

+ grab an incense (smell)

+ make a nice cup of coffee (taste)

+ and to wrap myself up in a blanket after clicking on my space heater (touch)

And then throughout the day I make sure that there’s something “comforting” for each sense. 

Another element of hygge that I’m really drawn to is the connection aspect. So, I’ve made it a goal to spend more time hanging out with friends and family. 

It doesn’t have to be in an extravagant way. My ideal “hang out” is being snuggled up, warm and comfy, drinking something hot or sipping on a glass of wine and just having good conversation. 

I know there’s still a lot I’m going to learn when it comes to this concept, but I’m wholeheartedly investing in it in the hopes of changing how I view winter and the cold from here on out. 

Winter Is Coming + How I'm Dealing With It

I have never been a fan of winter, or of being cold. 

Recently I’ve discovered a similar transition into the colder months that I experience with my luteal/menstrual phase. 

And I’ve come up with a theory (and since then have seen other ladies talk about it as well). But my theory is that the different phases of our menstrual cycles correlate to different months. And by that I mean we have a similar feeling during that phase that we do in that phase. 

It could differ person to person, and be dependent on where you live. But for me it goes a little something like this:

Luteal Phase = Fall

Menstrual Phase = Winter

Follicular Phase = Spring

Ovulatory Phase = Summer 

Cold weather has always been something I’ve struggled with and even fought at different times. But this year I am taking a different approach. 

The same approach I have when I’m headed into my luteal and menstrual phase. 

And the two big strategies there are: 

+ Allowing myself to slow down. I love a fast paced, super inspired, productive day, but we all know that can’t happen every day. Mid way through my luteal phase I notice the pull to slow down, and I’ve really challenged myself over the past year or so to listen to that. 

I’ve been pleasantly surprised when I do. And I’m going to approach winter the same way. 

+ I recently discovered the Danish term “hygge” (pronounced hoo-ga) and while it looks like I’m behind the times, something about it resonated with me. And in particular during my period, and now as it is getting colder.

I saw it described as:

- the art of building sanctuary and community, of inviting closeness and paying attention to what makes us feel open hearted and alive;

- to create well-being, connection and warmth;

- a feeling of belonging to the moment and to each other;

- celebrating the everyday

Doesn’t that sound just absolutely freaking lovely?  

And I’ve realized. It’s ok to transition to “delights" of winter, warm baths, hot drinks, curling up with a good book, sitting in front of a fire place, spending time with family, wearing warm, cozy clothes, fuzzy socks, and just making your space into a place you can sink into comfort and relaxation in. 

Seriously, go on Pinterest and dive into the world of hygge for a moment (if you haven’t already of course). 

Now, a few other things I plan to focus on this fall and winter:

+ Setting a sleeping schedule and sticking to it. The days are getting shorter and darker and while I love waking up with the sun, it’s not making it’s appearance until around 7:30 am. 

I love my mornings when I wake up at 6 a.m. because the stat of my day is the best time for me. When I start my day sooner I feel calmer, accomplished, and less rushed.

+ Going along with that we’ve decided that we’re going to buy a sunrise simulator clock when we get back from France.  A friend of mine got one last year and swears by it saying it was a revolutionary purchase. And I’m ready for that. 

+ And finally is something I try to do year round, but it’s especially important (and slightly more difficult when it’s cold) is to exercise and eat a balanced diet of whole plant based foods. 

Heading into winter with this strategy makes me feel much more accepting of the weather and at ease with the transition. 

Not to mention we’re already talking about how we can escape the worst of it in January and February.