What is your thing that’s good for your soul?

[Blondiebeachbabe]

Very rare day off. I’m sitting in my garden, looking at the sea, listening to the radio, sipping a cocktail and also doing some word puzzles. There are birds in the bird bath, the sun is shining and this is so good for my soul! Absolute bliss!!

Being of service. Helping someone out. Connecting with people. Being a positive force in life and sharing that.

This makes me sounds very Pollyanna, but I’m actually not at all happy clappy. But some time spent helping someone out, or listening to someone who needs to talk, really lifts my spirits.

People watching with a sketch book

Watching the sun rise and listening to bird song

Cold water swimming. I also like long distance hiking, but not been well enough for that in awhile.

Seeing my 2 year old nephew bounding through the door saying Hi auntie fantam, where's the sweets. 😊

Going camping with my Scouts. It can be a full-on stress fest, but when I see one of them achieve something, or just run around in the outdoors with a big grin on their face, it more than makes up for it.

Being in nature and hugs from my squishy toddler

Singing. I lost my voice for a few years and felt incomplete. Like I’d lost my daemon. It took a lot of work to get it back, and although it’s not what it was it’s still the expression of my most essential self.

I’m not me if I can’t sing…

These are all so good!!

For me it's going to look at something beautiful.

Every so often I'll get burned out with the monotony of life and I need to get out into nature or the world more generally and see something pretty. It can be the loch, a painting in a museum, lovely old tenement buildings in Glasgows' West-End, a gorgeous pastry in a bakery window - just something to make me think "Ach, it's not all bad".

My dog's spectacularly waggy welcome to someone she loves - the whole of her bottom joins in.

A day off in the garden when I can get properly stuck in.

A walk.

Meeting a friend or friends and a proper catch up.

Oh yes, gardening!. I live in an apartment block, with a very small garden out front. It’s really just two borders and a path between them. No one was really looking after it so I took it on informally. We are on the ground floor, so it’s right outside our windows. I totally love keeping it tidy and planting whatever random plants happen to be available in Lidl. My neighbours are so grateful that it is kept well that gives me a boost too. It cheers me up every time I step outside the front door. And because it’s so small I can just do what I want at weekends, and it doesn’t take over my life!

Opera.

Being outside

My dog and the sea. I look at him and my heart smiles, he’s 16 and has aged with me. The sea is my calm place, I can watch it or be in it and just feel peace wash over me. I sadly don’t live anywhere near it.

I always say holding babies is good for the soul. Mine are teens now but I'm always delighted when someone lets me hold theirs.

I love sitting in the sun

i love cold water swimming (sometimes)

I love stroking my cat

i love playing my new wooden recorder

My garden, my garden, and ... my garden.
100%.
(Grandaughters a close second 😂).

Just chilling with my two Ddogs. Anywhere and everywhere, it fills my heart with peace and joy.

Being curled up in my window seat, sun shining, window open, the little birds in the oak tree singing, the kids in the street playing (nicely!) with a gentle warm breeze, cat on my lap, a good book a hot cup of coffee. Truly bliss.

Or a concert with a good mosh pit! There's something very primal about it, a huge group of people who love the music, having a great time together, I liken it to those ecstatic tribal dances, I think it probably taps into something similar in the human psyche

My voluntary bit and listening to Northern Soul 45+ years passion.

I love standing on my lawn barefoot and enjoy gardening barefoot.

Sunday afternoon walks with my neighbour - we usually do a couple of hours and chat about nothing much in particular. We are lucky that there are lots of woodlands and parks nearby so we always pick a different route but it’s always lots of nature.

hearing my dog in a deep sleep. Slight snore/heavy breathing noises. She sounds so content.

Singing. Not just the physical act but being part of a choir and singing with others. It’s wonderful l.

Warm sunshine
Good coffee in the morning

Few days off work, visit somewhere different and enjoy some good food