Signs You Need Water*
*water, rest, food, sunshine, solitude, community, laughter, pet snuggles, a hot shower, a good cry, full-body yells, dance parties, quiet space, fill-in-the-blank
Since moving home from New York several years ago, i’ve slowly added more plant babies to my home here in Minnesota. Because I don’t quite have my Grandma Dorothy’s green thumb, I’ve leaned more into the hearty babies. You know, the ZZ plants and snake plants who don’t mind if I only water them once a week or so.
Awhile ago I got this cutie pie in the photo above for my healing space, but I loved it so much and it was doing so well in our dining room before I brought it to the space, I decided to keep it at home.
And one of the things I love about it most is how the leaves start to droop when it’s needing some TLC. A little sign that she needs water.
Which, of course, got me musing!!
AM I PAYING ATTENTION TO THE SIGNS THAT I NEED WATER?
It reminded me of the post I’ve seen where it said something like, “Drink water and get sunshine. Remember, you’re basically a house plant with complicated emotions.”
Complicated emotions would be accurate and it’s easy to forget about those simple needs that are so life-giving (like water and sunshine) when schedules are full and life is busy. Have I been giving myself enough rest? Enough food? Time with my people? A break from screens? Time to daydream?
When I start to feel “full” emotionally with tears at the back of my eyes, do I give myself the space to do some breathwork? When my hips get tight, do I get out of my chair, take a walk, or stretch? When I feel overworked and stretched thin, do I give myself time to sleep in and play? When I start to feel tired, do I keep pushing through or do I do a body scan to see if I’m hungry, dehydrated, or need a few minutes of a mental break?
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So, my friend, today on the official start to SPRING in the northern hemisphere - the season of planting seeds and new beginnings - what are the signs you need water?
What are the little clues from your body that you need some TLC? What are the subtle cues from your heart and your spirit that you need care?
Are there touchstones that help you pinpoint when it’s time to stop and check-in with yourself before you are pulled too far off center?
What can you do for yourself for nourishment and nurturing? Where can you ask for support to help your drooping leaves stretch back up towards the sky?
If possible, it’s important to answer those calls when they are small and subtle. The body will get louder and your Spirit will get more insistent until you care for your sweet self, so let’s put ourselves closer to the top of our list, yes?
You’re worth it. I’m worth it. And our world needs us to be showing up as our fullest selves.