Tuning In To What Fills Your Cup

At the start of the year I realized that my emotional cup was running dry. With a 15-month old at home, I was feeling exhausted both physically and emotionally and my past efforts to recharge (getting a massage, a girls night out, etc.) weren’t working the same way they used to.  In reflecting on why my past approaches weren’t as effective, I realized that my needs had changed. I was in a new season of life and I hadn’t spent much time (if any) reflecting on what fills my cup since becoming a mom. 

So, I got out the journal and asked myself -

“In what ways am I feeling depleted?” After some quiet stillness and open-hearted thinking, I identified three main areas where I wasn’t fulfilled: a spiritual community, creativity, and playfulness.

This was the direction I needed to be deliberate and explore activities that would fill my cup. With limited “me-time”, this was key to making sure I could actually put this plan into action.

To grow my spiritual community, I signed up for a yoga workshop and revived my yoga practice, which had ebbed and flowed over the years. I became a regular at a local yoga studio and began to develop a community of yogi friends who prioritize spirituality and service. Now, when I walk into a yoga class, I see familiar faces and often have someone to grab a coffee or smoothie with afterwards. Deepening my yoga practice and building this spiritual community continues to fill my cup. 

I have always been creative - but perhaps not in the traditional sense. In my professional career I had many creative outlets, writing curriculum, developing new programs, and designing events. I was also musical growing up and played the piano for over ten years (but fell off during my college years). When I took time to get quiet, I could feel an itch to be musically creative again so I rented a harmonium and began taking lessons with a friend. Learning a new instrument and accessing a creative flow state again feels energizing and my hour-long lesson each week fills my cup. 

Finally, came playfulness. As a mom, we carry so much responsibility and our brains are often crammed with to-do lists like after school activity sign-ups, packing for travel, meal planning, doctors appointments, and more. I was in desperate need of some lighthearted play but wasn’t sure where to find it. Then, a friend invited me to a dance class and it was the exact medicine I needed. Taking an hour each week to set my mind free, drop my responsibilities, and feel totally uninhibited and playful reminds me that I’m so much more than all the mental chatter and truly fills my cup. 

Through this discovery process, I learned that in just three hours each week, I’m able to keep my cup (almost) full. My previous belief that I didn’t have the time to take care of me wasn’t true - thank goodness! The reason behind my success was taking the time to be intentional and acknowledging that, with each season of life, our needs change.  

So here’s your homework:

Get out your journal and ask yourself

1. Where am I feeling depleted in this season of my life?

2. What is an activity I can try in each area that might help fill my cup?

Then, go out and see what works.

Do you feel emotionally and physically recharged by the activity? If so, you’re on the right track! 

P.S. You can do this exercise with your children to help keep their cups filled, too!

by Hannah Price

Also by Hannah: 5 Ways to Practice Yoga with Your Child