Hello there, wellness seeker!
Have you ever noticed how some plants seem to thrive effortlessly, while others struggle despite your best efforts? The difference often isn’t in how hard you work, but in understanding what specific conditions nurture that particular plant’s growth.
The same principle applies to our own wellbeing. This month, we’re exploring the art of nurturing growth – discovering the unique conditions that allow you to flourish not through force, but through intentional care.
The Nurturing Approach to Growth
I believe that sustainable transformation emerges not from pushing harder, but from creating environments where growth happens naturally. Just as a gardener focuses on creating the right soil conditions rather than pulling on plants to make them grow faster, we can cultivate the conditions that naturally support our wellbeing.
Think about those moments when positive change seemed to flow effortlessly in your life. Chances are, you had created (perhaps unknowingly) the perfect nurturing conditions for that growth. There’s a quality to nurturing that honours your natural rhythms and needs, creating space for authentic development rather than forced change.
But let’s be honest – in our achievement-oriented culture, nurturing often takes a backseat to pushing, striving, and doing more. Many of us have internalized the belief that transformation requires struggle, discipline, and willpower above all else.
Why Nurturing Gets Overlooked
I see this pattern regularly in my work with clients – wonderful, accomplished people who approach personal growth like another project to conquer. If you recognize yourself in this description, you’re certainly not alone. There are several reasons why nurturing approaches often get overlooked:
Perhaps you were raised in an environment where achievement was highly valued, while rest and self-care were seen as luxuries or even signs of weakness.
Or maybe you’ve absorbed our culture’s glorification of hustle and productivity, where worth is often measured by output rather than wellbeing.
You might have experienced success through pushing yourself in the past, reinforcing the belief that force is necessary for progress.
Some of us grew up without models of healthy nurturing, making it difficult to recognize what appropriate self-care even looks like.
Understanding these patterns isn’t about judgment but about recognizing why nurturing might feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable at first, even as your deeper wisdom recognizes its value.
This Week’s Practices: Building Your Nurturing Foundation
I’m excited to share these foundational practices that can help you begin establishing a nurturing approach to growth. These are the same approaches I’ve seen create profound shifts for clients who were caught in cycles of pushing and depletion.
1. Body Wisdom Practice
Your body holds intuitive knowledge about what nurtures your unique system. This simple practice helps you access that wisdom:
- Find a comfortable position and take three slow breaths
- Scan from head to toe, noticing any areas of tension or ease
- Ask your body: “What do you need right now to feel nurtured?”
- Listen without judgment, noticing what arises – sensations, images, words, or simply feelings
- Choose one small way to honour what you’ve received
What emerges might surprise you. Rather than what you “should” need, your body often reveals simple, accessible forms of nurturing – perhaps movement, rest, water, fresh air, or meaningful connection. The key is listening with curiosity rather than imposing preconceived notions.
2. Micro-Habit Design
Sustainable nurturing emerges from tiny practices integrated into daily life, not major overhauls that quickly become overwhelming. Try this approach:
- Choose one area of nurturing you’d like to develop (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual)
- Design a practice so small it feels almost laughably easy (30 seconds or less)
- Connect it to something you already do every day
- Practice it daily for one week before adding anything new
For example: “After I turn on my morning kettle, I will place my hand on my heart and take three conscious breaths while saying ‘I choose to nurture my wellbeing today.'”
Remember, the power is in the consistency, not the impressiveness. A 30-second practice you actually do creates far more transformation than an elaborate ritual that remains theoretical.
3. Energy Management Assessment
Understanding your personal energy patterns creates the foundation for sustainable growth. Unlike time management, which focuses on fitting more in, energy management prioritizes the quality of your presence:
- For three days, track your energy levels (1-10) at different points throughout the day
- Notice which activities, environments, and interactions deplete you
- Identify which experiences restore and energize you
- Begin designing your days with this awareness in mind
Remember to consider all dimensions of energy – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Each dimension requires different forms of nurturing and replenishment.
4. Sensory Nurturing Exploration
Our senses provide direct pathways to renewal, yet we often overlook their power in our wellbeing practices. Explore how each sense might support your nurturing:
- Sight: What visuals bring you a sense of peace and restoration?
- Sound: What sounds help you feel centred and nourished?
- Touch: What textures or physical sensations support your wellbeing?
- Smell: What scents help you feel grounded or uplifted?
- Taste: What flavours bring you genuine nourishment and pleasure?
Choose one sense to consciously nurture this week. Perhaps place a beautiful object where you’ll see it regularly, play music that soothes your nervous system, wear fabric that feels comforting, diffuse an uplifting essential oil, or mindfully enjoy foods that truly nourish you.
Your Week 1 Challenge
This week, I invite you to commit to one specific nurturing practice. Choose the approach that resonates most with your current needs, or create your own practice that feels genuinely supportive.
The key is consistency – even a three-minute daily practice creates more nurturing than an hour-long ritual you rarely find time for. Start where you actually are, not where you think you “should” be.
As you move through this week, notice with gentle awareness:
- What forms of nurturing feel most supportive for your unique system?
- What resistance arises when you prioritize nurturing practices?
- What small shifts occur when you approach growth through nurturing rather than force?
These observations provide valuable insight as you continue developing your personal approach to nurturing growth.
Join the Journey
I’m so excited to walk this path with you! Throughout this week, I’ll be sharing regular practices on social media to support your nurturing journey Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn for regular inspiration and practical exercises.
I’d love to hear about your experiences with nurturing practices. What helps you feel genuinely nurtured? What challenges arise when you prioritize nurturing? Comment through socials or reach out directly to share your journey.
Remember, there’s profound wisdom in approaching growth through nurturing. Just as a garden flourishes through the right conditions, not through force, your wellbeing thrives when you create the conditions that naturally support your unique growth.
With warmth and belief in your nurturing journey,
Gemma-Lee
About the Author:
Gemma-Lee Harvey is a Holistic Counsellor and Lifestyle Coach based on Australia’s Sunshine Coast. With a diverse background spanning psychology, business, counselling, and coaching, she creates a nurturing space for exploring one’s full potential. Her gentle yet practical approach kindles the transformative spirit within, guiding individuals through life’s challenges as they rise through empowerment.
Contact:
🌐 www.phynixbydesign.com.au
☎ 07 5493 6742
📱 0448 562 814
🏢 Brightwater Wellness Hub, Shop 7E 69-79 Attenuata Drive, Mountain Creek QLD 4557