What’s saving my life, the winter nourish edition

On the last Tuesday of the month I like to share a round up note summarizing the month. It wasn’t until after I wrote this note that I realized the theme of nourishment.

Below I share nine things that are nourishing my body, belly, mind, soul, and everything in between this winter season.

I’ve shared an audio version of this note above, with a few more details than I’ve written below if you’re in a listening vs reading mood today.

Early morning moment, looking into my studio.

Nourishing the body.

• Daily movement. I started prioritizing daily movement and exercise after a few avoidable back injuries last fall. This practice has improved my strength and my mental clarity.

• This heating pad. I’ve had this heating pad for a couple winters and it’s hard to remember how I survived before it? It’s an infrared heating pad that is very warming and nourishing to the body. I’m sitting on it now as I write this.

• Skincare. I recently got into Primally Pure skincare. With their focus on non-toxic, natural products it feels like an act of self care every morning and night when applying the balms and serums. Seriously love this stuff so much.

Nourishing the belly.

• LMNT hot chocolate. My hyper-fixation recipe: 1/3 of a packet frothed with milk, a splash of vanilla and a scoop of collagen and this tastes like a melted marshmallow. At the beginning of the year I decided I wanted to be someone who drinks a warming beverage and reads before bed. And this drink is my #1 choice.

• The Defined Dish. In an earlier note I wrote this year I mentioned how difficult meal planning and cooking had become for me. I recently decided that, for the time being, I would only cook from this blog (she also has a cookbook). The meals are easy and straightforward to make with easily accessible ingredients. This has minimized my decision fatigue around cooking.

  

  Winter inspiration board.

Nourishing the mind.

• Audiobooks! Not groundbreaking, but learning through listening is one of my favorite ways to spend my painting hours. This month I primarily listened to personal growth books.

• My work schedule. What I love most about working early is guaranteed hours in the studio. Regardless of what happens later in the day I’ve logged a solid chunk of time in the studio and I can rest knowing I’ve done some good work. This practice gives me so much peace.

Nourishing the soul.

• Daily gratitudes. Every night at dinner our family shares a couple daily gratitudes specific to that day. Consistently practicing gratitude keeps me in the right state of mind.

• Soulspace meditation app. A Christian guided meditation app. I listen to their daily meditation most days of the week and find the 7-8 minutes to be very grounding and restorative. I usually do this around 2pm when the afternoon slump sets in and I need a reset.

  A few other highlights from February.

• Late last year my friend Deoryen Thornton, a fellow creative, visited my studio and created this masterpiece. He captured me in my studio and created a beautiful visual to tell my story. (It’s about a minute long.)

• This month I announced my upcoming solo show, Sheer Disposition. This is the body of work I’ve been building since last summer and I am thrilled to finally share it with you! Please save the date for the Opening Reception on March 20th, 2025. 6-8pm, Washington Gallery, Waco, Texas.

Ellen Mote Patron Program. February wrapped the first iteration of my Patron Program. If you don’t know, last Fall I launched a program where individuals could opt in to make a monthly payment towards a piece of art and this month they got to select and bring their new work home! It was an enriching experience and I plan to offer this again.

Selection of works from the Patron Program.

That’s all for February. I hope you’re able to find a moment to do something nourishing for yourself this week.

Ellen