One way to feel more connected to the world around you and to discover how you can further expand your methods of self-care is to explore your relationship with your physical sense. What brings. you joy when using your senses?
What you Need:
Self-Care Journal
Pen or Pencil
What to Do:
1) Center and ground
2) Take a few moments to open your mind and think about each sense in turn. Write down your answers, then move on to thinking about the next sense.
*What sights bring you joy?
*What sounds bring you joy?
*What scents bring you joy?
*What tastes bring you joy?
*What bring you joy when you touch it?
3) Don't censor or criticize yourself as you make your lists. No one is going to see this other than yourself. If you like the smell of a freshly uncapped marker or just-extinguished match, write it down.
4) The lists don't need to be exhaustive. It's enough to list one or two things during this round.
This journaling exercise makes you think about your relationship with your senses in a non abstract way. It also helps you think about specific moments within larger actions. The smell of a freshly extinguished match is a very specific moment in the larger process of striking or tamping out the match. Now that you know the specific moment is something that bring you joy, you can take pleasure in it the next time you light and extinguish a match. To fully recognize and appreciate it as an enjoyable sensation, be fully present in the moment that is happens.