Today I downloaded the free e-book “FreeTreat: A Week of Mindfulness and Self-Care Activities” (click here) I glanced through the e-book and made a commitment to set aside time to take action on the invitations for each day.
I love the suggestion to “Create a Self-Care Kit.” It is wonderfully nurturing. I’ve really enjoyed the “Redirecting My Attention” kit that the Am I Hungry?® program recommends for times when I have an urge to eat but I’m not hungry and decide I want to wait to eat later. This is an even more soul soothing version.
The first item I placed in my Self-Care Kit today are the crayons, colored pencils and coloring book I bought several weeks ago. I’ve recently started using mindful coloring as a way to practice present moment awareness. Drawing and coloring are activities that I loved as a child, and I’ve discovered that I still love them as an adult. My mind unwinds, my body relaxes, and my creativity emerges as I pick the perfect color from the box of rainbow shades (I bought the biggest box I could find so I have lots of color options) and then playfully bring the page to life. The simple back and forth motion of coloring is quite mesmerizing, and the finished product makes me smile.
Finding new and fun ways to practice mindfulness is one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself. And I’m certain continuing to add items that “revitalize my body, mind, heart and/or spirit” to my Self-Care Kit is going to be another of the best things I’ve ever done for myself.