Thank you for reading Joyful + Nourishment, a weekly publication and an online community with conversations about our relationship with food, eating and our bodies.
I believe eating can be easy and that it is possible to find peace and freedom in how we relate to our bodies.
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One of the hardest questions we can ask ourselves is probably this: What do I need right now?
I am not talking about rationalising or intellectualising the answer either. What I am inviting you to do, is to pause, put a hand on your heart and ask yourself this question.
And listen to the answer that comes from within. It might be a faint whisper. Or a loud roar. Maybe there is nothing at all, at first. Because you’ve been tuning out for so long.
That is ok. This is a practice. It can take time.
Maybe you don’t want to hear the answer either.
Maybe what you truly need right now isn’t accessible in this moment
Maybe it is.
Maybe what you need when you pause and ask requires big changes.
Maybe it doesn't.
Maybe you don’t know what you need.
Whatever arise is ok.
When I talk about needs here, I mean things like, food, water, rest, movement, connection. Basic stuff.
And the energy of the emotion of care we might need. Like kindness, gentleness, slowness.
Maybe what you need right now is a pause.
Or some kindness.
Or to just bring some gentleness towards yourself in your words or actions.
One of my mentors Tracy Brown RD, shared on her IG page a reflection question, that in a way proceeds my one, which also warrants some time and introspection.
Where do you use food to get needs met that aren't getting met in other areas of your life?
Getting to know what it is you need, and then diving deeper to explore how we might use food, dieting, under eating or over exercising as a way to artificially get these needs met.
Often needs of acceptance, love and belonging can play out in our relationship with food and exercise.
What might be true for you? (feel free to leave a comment)
With blessings,
Linn
P.S If you want some inspiration to practice pausing then I invite you to listen to this tea drinking meditation that I shared some time ago.
I love this, and I think I need that pause you're speaking of. I've been moving at an unsustainable pace, and it's kept me from the things that "reset" me. Planning to remedy this next week when I head to Colorado for Thanksgiving.
I’m so glad it resonated. It’s one I definitely need to keep asking myself on a regular basis.