These things can recharge and rejuvenate us as we go about the tasks of life… the garbage out, the bills paid, the groceries in, the car tires changed for the season, the doctor check-up, the work deadline, the child’s dance recital — whatever it is that you fill your days with, whatever taxes your batteries, filling your cup is done by the acts that do the opposite of the daily grind.

Some people do the NYTimes daily crossword in pen. Some people go sailing on the weekend, or to the cottage when the weather is nice, or learn a new yo-yo trick to show their friends (seriously, have you ever seen competitive yo-yoing? Check out some professionals on tiktok, it’s impressive!)

Here are 20 practical examples, see if your methods of filling your cup have made the list:

1. Curl up with a great book and a cup of tea/coffee/cocoa
2. Meditate with some incense and sounding bowls
3. Play a game of pick-up (or whatever sport you enjoy most) with your friends.
4. Call your mom (or your best friend, or you religious guide, or you kid) and have a pleasant chat
5. Go for a walk/hike/swim/run on a really great day outside
6. Engage in some arts and crafts — pull out all your materials and just create
7. Light some candles and take a long soak in the tub
8. Spend 10 minutes playing your favourite musical instrument
9. Listen to your favourite band, whether digitally or in person
10. Enjoy some quality time with your pets, at home or out at a park
11. Watch a television show you love to see on repeat, or a new one
12. Play a video game for half an hour, then go outside and get some sun!
13. Go out just for dessert (and coffee!)
14. Take a nap, don’t set an alarm
15. Learn something new, a skill, a hobby, a craft, a language
16. Get dressed up fancy, even if you aren’t going anywhere
17. Have a homecooked meal at the table, use the “nice” dishes
18. Watch funny videos online, search for something uplifting
19. Plan a trip, even if you’ll never go, fill out the itinerary
20. Play a game, cards, board, escape room, whatever you enjoy most

The most important aspect of filling your cup is that you actually do it! We can’t pour from an empty cup. If we are always feeling exhausted and at the end of our energy, the end of our rope, burning the candle at both ends, whatever the expression — if our cup does not runneth over! Then it is time to make some time to fill your cup. If you aren’t feeling in the mood, because you’re tired or overwhelmed then SCHEDULE yourself some time and ‘follow the plan, not the mood’. It’s far more important to do these rejuvenating acts than even a full night’s sleep can grant us. Sure, sleep is extremely important, that’s why I’ve covered it in these blogs several times. Filling your cup ranks up there at the same level. If we are always feeling like we’re dragging our heels, then it’s hard to make progress and nigh impossible to make changes.

So spend some time figuring out what fills your cup. It will be as personal as how you take your coffee, everyone is different, there are no quick fixes here — what one person likes, another may not. But we don’t judge the way other people fill their cups, we focus on what fills our own. If you’re having a difficult time figuring out the rejuvenating acts that fill you up, send me a message and I’d love to help you sort it out.