Our darkest times aren’t always when others hurt us, are they?

But when we hurt ourselves.

Those moments when we slip again into a habit we know is self-destructive.

A habit we know will bring pain. Regret. Loathing.

BUT we do it anyway.

Food. Wine. Social media. TV.

Gambling. Yelling. Bullying. Cruel gossip.

Obsessive buying of stuff we can’t possibly enjoy.

We all have our own personal poison.

And when we’re most vulnerable – when we’re anxious, lonely, bored, scared or just battling that constant, nagging sense of failure – they draw us in.

And hook us.

It seems so crazy doesn’t it?

BUT when we’re stressed, we all do it don’t we?

And slip so easily into the groove of that repetitive instant comfort.

WHILST totally hating ourselves for doing it.

And it feels like it’s harder and harder to resist those horrible habits when we’re all living under constant bombardment of a world that never sleeps …

… AND demands that we are always ON!

How on earth can we protect ourselves from ALL that stress?

Well it’s certainly not easy BUT building a bunch of tiny good habits that everyday ease our anxiety, loneliness, anger, boredom and sense of personal failure truly can help.

It has me.

These are absolutely NOT massive lifestyle overhauls.

It’s NOT about fancy complicated diets. Or non-stop yoga and meditation. Or extreme minimalism. OR whatever else the new – we’ll never stick to it – fad is.

BUT the simplest, smallest habits – soul snacks – that can nurture our tired, vulnerable selves.

Tiny good grooves we can slip into – when stress mounts – as easily as the horrid habits we hate.

Little things that there and then help us …

• Connect with others
• Feel at one with our own body
• Know we have done good
• Believe in ourselves
• Delight in our wonderful, beautiful world
• Enjoy our amazing ability to make stuff
• And just be there, present in the moment

This year I’ve tried to weave more and more of these simple snoul snacks into our days and weekly rhythms and the longer patterns and traditions of the months and the years.

Until with gentle reptition my tired mind can reach as easily for them as a glass – or three – of wine, my Twitter feed or angry yelling at the world.

It’s not an instant makeover.

But a long term way of living.

A recognition we all need soul food throughout the day everyday to protect us from our darker selves in a world that can be so unbelievably hard.

In case it helps, I’ve shared all sorts of ideas for soul snacks below.

Some from me. Some from friends.

Do try a bunch that tempt you. (Ignore those that don’t!)

Make space for them in your day. And look after yourself.

Soul Snacks

1. Go for a walk
2. Send a postcard
3. Buy flowers
4. Read a poem
5. Do a crossword
6. Feed the birds
7. Sweep up leaves
8. Take the bus … we are so isolated in our cars
9. Chat to a neighbour
10. Help someone
11. Eat berries
12. Make a cake
13. Sit down with a cup of tea … and day dream
14. Do a jigsaw
15. Write a journal
16. Pick up litter
17. Sing a song loudly … however out of tune
18. Say a prayer
19. Smile at a stranger
20. Tell a joke
21. Stroll to the market
22. Watch the squirrels
23. Eat nuts and seeds
24. Sand wood
25. Paint with your children
26. Make playdough with your children … just chuck flour & water together
27. Do a puzzle
28. Plant a bulb or seed
29. Send a letter with a proper envelope and stamp
30. Talk to someone at the shops
31. Walk in the woods
32. Mend something
33. Play cards together
34. Call a relative
35. Sit out, watch the world go by … and talk to anyone who does
36. Empty the trash
37. Colour in … it’s not just for kids, try these or these
38. Keep a nature journal
39. Read a short story
40. Say sorry
41. Have a nap
42. Play an instrument
43. Play an old board game together
44. Listen to the birds
45. Take food to the food bank
46. Play hide and seek with the kids
47. Go for a bike ride
48. Stop everything for elevenses
49. Forgive something
50. Pop into church … you don’t have to be religious, just enjoy the quiet space separate from our busy world

I do hope these help in some way. I would love to hear from you.

And if you would like more simple ideas for enjoying life slowed down do sign up for my newsletter.

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