Top Five Ways You Can Be Part of Nourishing the (YOUR!) Soul
When I started this blog in 2010, I endeavored to create a space that fostered true nourishment of spirit. I was craving a space to write out all of the random rumblings in my head and to share the amazing things I get to learn each day as a therapist (Seriously, who has it better than me? Every single day is filled with insight and growth. Okay, maybe an ice cream truck driver…).
But even more than all that, I wanted it to be somewhere where readers felt safe to express how they felt about their bodies, their relationships, and their truest selves. I wanted readers to come here and say, “Oh, she gets it. And now I feel less alone and more empowered to tell my story.” I wanted this to be an online community where we inspire each other. For a while, I was doing some reader polls, and I learned so much from the incredible responses, I was thinking about some of the comments for months.
Lately, I’ve been writing a lot and missing out on some of the connection with you. I’ve been tweeting infrequently, responding to fewer comments, and emailing less. But it’s time to change that. Part of nourishing our souls is connection, and I want to cultivate that here. So, I’ve put together a list of ways that you can be more involved in NTS.
Listen. If you’re someone who likes to just scroll through the posts on your Google Reader and make “read,” I get it. That’s cool. But I would love to hear a bit more from you if that’s your thing. I want to hear what you’re writing about, what you’re thinking about, what you want to know more about. So, if you’re down with that, give one of these a try:
1.) Submit a photo. If you’re an amateur or professional photographer, I would love to feature your work on NTS. I try to post photos with nearly all of my posts, and I try hard to respect image licensing, so it’s not easy to find quality images consistently. I would love to be able to have the images connect with the readers of this site, and to help promote your work. I always credit the source and link back, so it’s a win-win. If you have an image to submit, email me at nourishingthesoulblog [at] gmail [dot] com.
2.) Comment! If you agree with me in a post, tell me. But more importantly, if you disagree, I want to hear that too! I may pretend to sort of know everything on here, but hey, I don’t. Like I said above, I have learned so much from readers and commenters (commentators?) on NTS, and I always feel grateful to know what others are thinkin about the topics that flow through my brain.
3.) Guest Post. My voice does not need to be the only one up in this place. I love sharing posts from people with different experiences and perspectives. Whether you’re a coach, someone who’s struggled with self-love, or just someone who likes to write, let me know. Generally, guest posts are between 500-700 words and share some wisdom or a personal experience. I don’t pay for guest posts (so stop spamming me about it, okay!?), but you do earn my gratitude and some exposure (if you’re into that sort of thing).
4.) Send me your ideas. After two years of blogging multiple times per week, I’m starting to worry I’m repeating myself. “Okay, Ashley. We get it. You’re a lousy yogi and you want everyone to love themselves.” You can help me make sure I’m not by sending me what you actually want to read about. I’m not an expert, but I’m full of opinions and am usually happy to share them :) I’ll include your name or not – whatever you prefer. Again, email me at nourishingthesoulblog [at] gmail [dot] com
5.) Connect with NTS! Have you heard of Facebook? It’s this pretty nifty little invention where we can connect pretty instantaneously. I’m quite confident that if you’re reading blogs like this one, you’re one of the 900 million people on there. So “Like” NTS and join in the fun! Post interesting articles or random thoughts on the wall, as well. Join me over on twitter as well, if you can keep it to 140 characters. And last, check out the NTS Pinterest page for some cool finds.
Thanks to all of you who have connected with and inspired me over the past two years!
Are you more of a behind the scenes reader or allupinthisplace reader? What’s your favorite way to connect with blogs?
Jackie
353 days ago
Just want to say that you (or anyone) can use any of the photos on my blog if you link back to the original post. They’re mostly nature oriented but some DIY, people and foods also. I’m not sure how pertinent to your posts they are, but for what it’s worth! Love your site.
Jackie recently posted..Do You Know What Plant this Is?
Monica Curtis
353 days ago
Thank you very much for sharing your wonderful thoughts. Ia m excited for the next topic of your post. Keep the good work.
Monica Curtis recently posted..Prosolution Gel Side Effects
PTC
353 days ago
OOh, i love taking pictures (mostly of beaches, sunsets, sunrised and Central Park), so I will send some you way. I’m heading to the Caribbean next week, so hopefully I’ll get some good ones down there. :)
PTC recently posted..It lingers
Allison
351 days ago
Hi!
I just wanted to say that I am a new follower of this blog and I LOVE getting the recent posts in my inbox. I look forward to it, bc it is not all about weight and dieting, but about WHO I AM. I struggle with binge eating and depression and this blog inspires me to think beyond the boundaries I set for myself. It helps me to look at my soul and personality and not just at my body and weight. So thank you so much!!
Katherine
349 days ago
Nourishing traditions is a cookbook written by Sally Fallon which goes against with the popularized ideals of non-fat diet. The book stresses that fats and cholesterol are not actually bad but rather important nutrient for the proper functioning of the body.
Katherine recently posted..Copywriters Devon
Pamela Oakley
305 days ago
Thanks for this info Katherine. I am looking for this cookbook.
Pamela Oakley recently posted..Male Potency and Natural Ways to Be Sexually Potent Men