Six Activities that are Good for the Soul

1. Journaling

Think of it as a personal investment. Like explaining yourself, journaling can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. Settling down with a notebook and pen just to write what comes to mind is a great way to do a little personal problem-solving. It’s also an effective way to develop a better and deeper understanding of yourself, and to keep track of your thoughts. It’s one of my favorite ways to figure out how I feel about a person, a topic, or a setting.  Some great ways to motivate yourself to journal regularly include adding it to your to-do list and finding a favorite writing spot (mine is in bed or in public). Listen to your soul. Journal.

1. Affirming others

You appreciate someone? You love something? Proclaim that.  Saying aloud how you love and appreciate different things and people may be weird at first, but… affirming people (and plants, and the universe, and the Earth, etc.) for whatever reason is a great way to improve our sense of appreciation, which correlates with overall happiness. Think of the last time you received a compliment. It felt good to have your efforts acknowledged, right? 

1. Mailing someone

Not via email. We communicate differently when we write our sentences out by hand instead of typing it in a text box. Let yourself indulge in some stationery that matches your aesthetic. Then, let someone know how you’re doing, and that you care about them. Wanna go deeper?  Tell them why you care about them, and that you care about their life right now. Perhaps you’ll make a pen pal. If for no other reason than flaunting the stationery motivates you to write letters, that’s okay too. It’s good for the soul. 

1. Having “cozy time”

Set aside time to find a favorite nook +a comfort object + some entertainment (or silence), and set your mind on low power mode. You’ll never believe how resetting being unproductive can be (or maybe you do). Or how recharging it can be to listen to a favorite podcast (entertainment) under a blanket (comfort object) in your favorite armchair (favorite nook) for even just 30 minutes. I mean, who doesn’t like to be comfy and entertained?

1. Meditation

It’s no secret that meditation is good for you. But I’ll let you in on an actual secret: it’s deceivingly difficult. At least for most people. But the fact that millions of people still do it despite this fact says something about the worth of its benefits. If you’re interested in trying it, you’ll be amazed at how doable it is. Find a time that you know you can commit to (I like to meditate right before bed) and make it easier on yourself by following a guided meditation on the Youtube. 

1. Cooking a meal with friends

Or connect with them in the best way you know how (just, you know, be nice). With apps like Venmo and CashApp, it’s nothing to divide the cost of a grocery bill amongst a group of people. Gather in a place you all can be comfortable in (like a friend’s apartment) and put your minds together to feed each other. It’s so much fun. I mean, food? But if you get hangry cooking, or if cooking is not you and your friends’ cup of tea, there are plenty of ways to get together and accomplish something you enjoy doing (or consuming). Just, for the love of spaghetti, reach out to each other.

• friendship
• self-care
• self-love