100 Ways to Replenish a Mom’s Soul

by Alisha | Nov 21, 2016 | Uncategorized

Do you ever just feel depleted? Like you’re running on fumes? Like you’ve given ALL you have, and there’s nothing left? Maybe you dream of running far, far away just so you can rest your weary self.

As moms, we’ve all been there. By nature, we are givers. However, if we don’t take the time to pull away from the daily routine and replenish our own souls, then we won’t have anything to give to those we love most.

To replenish means “to fill or make complete again, to resupply, to inspire or nourish, to become full again.”

If we allow ourselves to give and give, yet never take the time to nourish our own souls we could become emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausted, overly sensitive, discouraged, and possibly even depressed.

So, it is essential that we learn what things nourish us, inspire us, and fill our souls to the brim. Therefore, I’ve compiled a list of over 100 ways to replenish your soul and have broken them down into various categories (though some are interchangeable).

All of these suggestions won’t necessarily work for every single individual, but I believe that you can find several that will help you or even spark other ideas that will. I encourage you to read the list and find a few things to add to your daily, weekly, and monthly self-care routines. (And if you don’t have a self-care routine, now’s the time to begin one!)

Be sure to scroll all the way down to the bottom to enter my giveaway for a chance to win my You Are a Masterpiece art course – a fun way to replenish your soul and spirit!

Replenish Your Soul by Nurturing Your Spirit

Our souls are vitally connected to our spirits, so if you’re feeling depleted check this area first. 

• Spend time daily in the Word.
• Make time to fellowship with the Lord each day in prayer.
• Find time to be alone on a regular basis.
• Make sure you know and are working toward fulfilling your God-given purpose.
• Take a few moments each day to meditate in the Word, to renew your mind, and reset your thoughts. This will help you calm worrisome thoughts, release hurts and negative feelings and regain your spiritual and emotional strength.
• Read inspirational books that help you grow spiritually.
• Create a gratitude journal and take some time each night to record the things you’re grateful for.

Keep Your Body Well

A healthy body is connected to your overall well-being and is essential to caring for your soul. 

• Make sure you are taking time to exercise (including both strength training and aerobic activity) on a regular basis.
• Include a stretching/yoga routine which can help reduce mental and physical stress and relax your body.
• Maintain a healthy diet.
• Keep your body properly hydrated.
• Get enough rest each night.
• Update your wardrobe to include clothes that make you feel beautiful/fun/sassy/hot/artsy – whatever!
• Try something new with your hair – new cut, new style, new color, new updo. Just have fun with it.

Give Your Soul Expression

A wonderful way to replenish your soul is to give expression to it – whether it’s joy, excitement, peacefulness, and sometimes even sorrow. Rather than holding in your emotions, find a way to express them creatively.

• Listen to music. What types of music do you love? Find the genres that inspire you, energize you, soothe you, etc. and play them as you work, exercise, pray, and drive.
• If you play an instrument, make your own music. This art form can give wonderful expression to the deep emotions of the human soul.
• Sing (whether you think you can or can’t) – it will lift your spirits and bring joy to your soul.
• Dance like nobody’s watching (as the saying goes). Of course, there’s no way I’m gonna dance if someone is! 😮 But you can…if you want…
• Write poetry, songs, short stories, a novel.
• Play! Keep a happy, lighthearted disposition, and make time for a little fun on a regular basis.
• Have a good laugh often to release those “feel good” hormones into your blood stream and boost your energy level.
• Live in the “now.” Learn to be present in the present. Celebrate the little things and determine to enjoy each day.

Stimulate Your Mind & Imagination

Sometimes just pulling away from the “daily-ness” of life can help replenish your soul. Spark your intellect or imagination by partaking of great ideas or the genius of others. 

• Read a book – get lost in a great novel or some classic literature.
• Join (or start) a book club with a group of friends or soon-to-be-friends.
• Listen to audio books while cleaning, decluttering, working out, etc.
• Read poetry to yourself or listen to it being read aloud.
• Thumb through old magazines and allow your mind to
• Watch a great movie and be transported to another time and place.

Find Ways to Express Your God-Given Creativity

You don’t have to be an artist to express your God-given creativity, all you need to do is live a life that reflects your uniqueness. So begin to give everything you do your own personal touch. Use your imagination and intuition to express something that is uniquely you.

• What hobbies do you enjoy? Make sure you take time each week to pursue your creative passions.
• Create an art journal. If you want to try your hand at a certain art medium but don’t know where to begin, start out with a journal. Sketch (or paint) your thoughts, ideas, emotions, quotes, or whatever in the journal on a regular basis. Practice makes progress.
• Join a local art class or enjoy a “paint party” every now and then.
• Find a few friends who enjoy scrapbooking, sewing, knitting, or any craft for that matter, and get together on a regular basis to create.
• Draw or doodle on a sketch pad, or have fun with some adult coloring books and markers.
• Sign up for lessons in an area that interests you: ballroom dancing, a musical instrument, photography, pottery, painting, a foreign language. Don’t let those dreams die!

Satisfy Your Senses

Perhaps your soul needs to indulge in some sensory stimulation to fill “full” again:

• Cook a delectable gourmet meal and eat it on your fine china, using your silverware, linen napkins, and crystal goblets. Don’t have any? Go to yard sales and thrift stores & create your own eclectic “set” to use.
• Treat yourself to some dark chocolate (or whatever “sweeties” you love). Keep a hidden stash just for you – you know you have to hide it from those young’uns – and their father – or at least I do)!
• Gratify your senses with aromatherapy. Diffuse essential oils which can calm and center your mind, ease anxiety and stress, or stimulate and energize you by reducing the effects and mental fatigue.
• Get a massage whether it’s a professional one, a sensual massage given by your husband, a sweet (but ultimately pathetic) massage by an obliging kid, or a “poor man’s massage” with a foam roller. Massage has a wonderful way of refreshing your body and mind, relieving anxiety, and tons of other benefits.
• Take a long, warm bath with lavender salts by candlelight and some soothing classical music to relax your mind and body.

Solitude for Your Soul

Sometimes you just need to pull away from everyone and everything and just enjoy your own company. Even if you only have a few moments of alone-time, your soul can receive replenishment. 

• Have a cuppa. Even on the busiest days it is possible to pull away for a few moments and sit down with a nice hot cup of tea (or coffee, if you must). During this time you can sit quietly and let that lovely beverage warm your body and soul while your mind can wander or reset.
• Journal your deepest thoughts or ideas. Spend five to fifteen minutes writing down things that are on your mind, your latest inspiration or anything that may be bothering you.
• Take a nap. You know what wonders it does for your wee child’s mood? Yeah, it’ll help you too.
• Take a walk and enjoy the local scenery while allowing your mind to wander.
• Unplug. Turn off the phone/computer/TV/radio and just “be.”
• Take the day off (if you can) and do absolutely nothing. Just putter around the house and let your mind unwind. Sit on the front porch swing or lie in a hammock and rest.
• Say no to things you really don’t want or don’t realistically have time or energy for.
• Say yes to things that make you happy. And perhaps splurge a little on yourself. Buy a small luxury just for you.
• Go to the library by yourself. Check out some books or read some there – just indulge yourself in the delicious musty smell of learning and imagination.

Let Nature Satisfy Your Soul

There is nothing like spending time in the great outdoors to put all of life’s problems in perspective. Nature can awaken your soul and stimulate your senses, making you feel more alive. Then on the other hand, it can quiet and still your soul, bringing you immense comfort, tranquility and peace. You need the beauty of the natural world and God has generously given it to you.

• Soak up the sun. Spend a little time enjoying the Vitamin D boosting benefits of the sun each day and elevate your mood at the same time.
• Plant and cultivate a garden.
• Don’t have space? Create a terrarium or fairy garden instead. Or put more houseplants around your home.
• Take a nature hike into the hills or mountains with your family and enjoy a picnic afterwards.
• Enjoy a lunch break at your local park and feed the ducks with some breadcrumbs.
• Find water (creek, river, falls, beach, lake, etc.) and sit by it, listening to its gentle gurgle or crashing waves. Allow the water to relax your mind and nourish your soul.
• Lie under big, puffy clouds imagining all sorts of creatures from their shapes.
• Stargaze. On a cool, clear night try to identify any visible planets or constellations. Or watch for falling/shooting stars.
• Wrap up and sit on the front (or screened-in) porch and enjoy a good thunderstorm.
• Sit outdoors by the fire pit at night and just watch the flames & sparks.
• Listen to the “evening course” of crickets, cicadas, and tree frogs in the summertime.
• Turn your backyard into a bird sanctuary. Set up feeding stations so you will have birds year round. Listen to their beautiful birdsong and learn to identify the ones in your yard.
• Stop and smell the roses (or whatever lovely flowers you encounter).

Replenish Your Soul at Home

Your home should be a sanctuary for your soul – a refuge from the rest of the world for you and your family. Here are just a few simple ways to create that sanctuary:

• Clear the clutter. Get rid of stuff you no longer need or love.
• Light some candles to add warmth and ambiance.
• Put on some classical music (or praise and worship or soft jazz) to create a soothing atmosphere.
• Rearrange furniture for a cozier (or more
• Open up your curtains or blinds and allow the sunlight into your home.
• Keep a fresh bouquet of flowers on the kitchen table.
• Create art for your walls – there are plenty of tutorials and DIY projects on Pinterest if you don’t feel artsy enough.
• Make some new pillows for your sofa/bed/chair – basic sewing skills are all you need.
• Keep a fire burning in the fireplace on cold nights to read by.
• Add bright (or your favorite soothing) colors and more lighting to your living spaces.
• Bring nature indoors – wildflowers, plants, pine cones, beautiful rocks or seashells, even a water fountain.

Allow Your Soul to Breathe

Take yourself (and your family if you’d like) on a cultural outing, field trip or even a weekend getaway to nourish your soul and allow it to breathe.

• Go on an artist date.
• See a play.
• Take in a symphony.
• See a Broadway musical.
• Visit a history museum.
• Visit an art gallery.   
• Be a tourist in your own town.

Relationships Satisfy Your Soul

As humans we are relational by nature. Whether you’re an introvert (like me) or an extrovert, you need people – and they need you. Take time to nurture relationships that satisfy your soul.

• Call a friend just to chat.
• Write a letter to someone far away (or your husband or child).
• Have a Skype coffee date with an old friend you lost touch with over the years.
• Join a club (gardening, running, book, photography – whatever your favorite hobby is).
• Be generous and giving towards others. Make “random acts of kindness” not so random.
• Practice forgiveness. Release and let go of any grudges or unforgiveness you may have towards others. (Remember, you’re only hurting yourself when you refuse to forgive.)
• Share “wonder” with a child – they see it everywhere and in everything.
• Be silly with your children (or another small child). No need to be so serious all the time. Enjoy your life!
• Love on your children – show them affection and let them know how special they are to you.
• Love on your husband – let him know he’s the most important person in your life.
• Surround yourself people who encourage, support and cheer you on.
• Limit your time and interaction with negative people who drain you or bring you down.
• Love on your pet. Don’t forget that petting your pooch or cuddling your kitty can reduce stress and anxiety.
• Volunteer your time at your local church or community center.
• Take the time to thank someone who has made a difference in your life.
• Always look for gifts in the people you meet (and don’t forget those already around you). What makes them tick? What lights them up?
• Think and speak more positively about yourself. Put a stop to negative self-talk and thoughts.

Your Hopes & Dreams Are Important to Your Soul

Proverbs 13:19 says, “A dream fulfilled is sweet to the soul.” Don’t lose sight of your dreams. They are important to a satisfied soul.

• What do you dream of? Have you tossed that dream aside lately? If so, pick it back up and begin to pursue it once again.
• Step back and figure out what matters most to you. What is your purpose? Why are you here? Take time out to design your life just the way you want it. Don’t just let life happen to you.
• Make a bucket list of dreams you’d like to see fulfilled.
• Pick one thing from your bucket list and get started!

Create a Personal Growth Plan

It is essential to your soul that you are continually growing and developing – emotionally, mentally, intellectually, and creatively.

• Write out a list of goals for your life. Where do you want to be in one year, five years, ten years, and so on?
• Listen to personal growth audiobooks and webinars.
• Take a class to learn or improve skills that contribute to your goals and dreams.
• Try something new on a regular basis. Do things that scare you. Search out new places and scenery. Always be growing and developing.

Art is a wonderful way to replenish your soul! Enter below for a chance to win my You Are a Masterpiece: Mixed Media Art Course:

Linking up with my friends at iHomeschool Network for 100 Things. Check out more posts here and enter to win one of two $100 Amazon gift cards!