Every man’s spice box seasons his own food. -Zora Hurston Neal. Both of these quotes are from Grechen Rubin’s newest book. When I read them I stopped mid-sentence. This is such a powerful description of individuality and how differently just one of our senses, taste, acts from one another. That quote was the inspiration for this post and all that there is to appreciate in our 5 senses.
In the Book “Life in 5 Senses, Gretchen Rubin states “I conjecture that exploring the five senses would provide an effective way to care for ourselves”. She threads throughout the book her adventures and journeys into exploring her five senses and what each sense taught her about herself. She has a line in her podcast that says “know yourself more”. Discovering and listening to the whispers of my heart that pleads for more of what we love, and dislikes what we don’t. I was so intrigued by this book that when Rubin’s book tour stopped in my city, I attended and heard up close what gains she made in this exploration. My take away is this, we undervalue our senses until we can’t. My own experiences in many of the ideas below have reminded me how powerful each sense is even when explored on it’s own. The simply joy of seasonal change can get lost on our daily distractions. using the senses to slow down directly ties to the medical benefits I discussed in my blog psot on slow living. Many of these ideas are free or low cost. Contributing to your well being can be achieved at any income level .
I’m currently reading Haben the Deaf-Blind woman who conquered Harvard. She describes her interaction with the environment beautifully “For a deaf-blind person the world provides information piece by piece.” When we slow down and take in the world piece by piece, we realize how incredibly beautiful each piece can be as the sum of parts. Listening to her story (on audiobook) in her voice is a tender reminder overall of this importance. Haben’s book caused me to deeply reflect how I interact with the world, and more importantly how I make space for all abilities.
There are many ways to delve deeper into your Senses in the form of caring for yourself. Here are a few ideas:
- Float Therapy: According to Rubin, temporary deprivation is an effective way to reawaken ourselves to a sensation we enjoy something more when we enjoy it less. The first time I tried this method I was totally intimidated, but urged on by a good friend. By the end of session I had more ideas, clarity and in touch with my body than I felt in a very long time.
- Go to the same spot every day for a period of time: last year I started walking in a beautiful park on occasion. Returning to the spot over the course of the fall season gave me such visual appeal. Seeing trees change colors, and nature transition was a simple delight I plan to keep doing each year. In. Rubin’s book, she describes going to MET every day in New York and it’s effect on her senses.
- Swap an audiobook for a print book: This year I knew the only way I’d reach my 52 book reading goal was by listening to audiobooks on the way to work, at night going to bed, in the morning while getting ready, ect…. Hearing the readers emotions and feelings evokes a much more powerful connection to the book. It almost feels as if you’re sitting with a friend while sharing. The quality of audibooks has really improved over the years. I mostly use the library App Libby or Hoopla to check them out free with your library card. My top 5 audiobook recommendations are:
- Finding Me by Viola Davis
- How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz
- What Happened to You? By Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey
- Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
- You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin
Resources: 30 Ways to Boost Creativity ; Haben Girma- The Deaf-blind woman who conquered Harvard Law
