Have you ever felt soul-tired… or spirit-lost?
We often use the words soul and spirit interchangeably.
Yet, they speak to different parts of us and they ask for different kinds of care.
Our soul is our inner self.
It holds emotions, memories, and longings. It’s the part of us that feels joy and grief, peace and restlessness. When our soul is depleted, everything feels heavier. We get burned out and crave grounding and comfort.
Our spirit is our spark.
It’s our energy, purpose, and sense of direction. It lifts us toward what we’re becoming. When our spirit is disconnected, life can feel flat, even when things look fine on the outside. We feel we’ve lost a sense of meaning, purpose or passion and crave vision and expansion.
So how do we care for them?
To nourish our soul:
- Rest without guilt.
- Let feelings come forward without rushing to fix them.
- Try emotional processing through journaling, therapy, and ritual.
- Find a means of creative expression.
- Surround ourselves with beauty, comfort, and people who feel like home.
To energize our spirit:
- Reconnect with what inspires us.
- Take a step toward something we believe in.
- Ask what we’re here to do and follow the thread, even if it’s just one small action at a time.
- Participate in prayer, meditation, or spiritual study to connect to something greater.
- Say yes to what lights us up
Both parts of us matter.
And most days, one will need more attention than the other.
Your Turn
What does your soul need?
What is your spirit longing for?
How can you spend some time today nurturing your spirit and your soul?