I recently realized the deep importance of spiritual self-care. When speaking of spirit, I don't mean religion or even the vibrancy of youth, but the source of white light that lives within all of us. If our spiritual light is dim or not shining, we don't put our best self forward. In worst cases, the lack of light can affect our closest relationships, leaving unnecessary confusion or pain in it's wake.

Any type of energy or entity, be it a co-worker, husband, sliver of bad news, or even a traffic jam can drain us of our white light energy. So, how do we re-ignite our spirits? It's easier than you think: A Spiritual Cleanse. You can practice a spiritual cleanse as often as you'd like from the privacy of your own home. Allow yourself this time as it serves as one of the highest forms of self-care.

I've curated 3 easy steps to conduct your spiritual cleanse for a rejuvenated aura and renewed zest for life:

Step 1: Sage Your Space.

Ancient Native Americans believed in the act of smudging with sacred herbs (sage) as it can help clear negative energy from people and spaces. When burned, sage is scientifically linked to a more positive mood. The first step in your own spiritual cleanse is to sage your space! If you don't have access to your entire space, sage your bathroom or bedroom. Sage can be found in many local stores, but I'll let you in on my secret sage source.

Start in one corner of the room and use clockwork circular motions to cleanse each corner of the room. You can recite any prayer or poem that calms you and makes you feel safe. If you have crystals you'd like to work with, be sure to sage them as well to rid them of any residual energy.

Step 2: Cleanse your Physical Self.

This is my favorite part of the spiritual cleanse! Why? Two words: Bubble Bath. Soak in your tub. Get creative with bath bombs, bath salts and even flower petals (rose for self- love, lavender for relaxation, etc.) Light some candles. Allow yourself to relax and don't be ashamed to turn on music that might make you feel emotions... The Smiths, Adele, Lana del Rey, etc etc. Use this as a time to unwind. I love putting on a face mask and diving into a good book as well! Remember that your spirit and body are connected.

Step 3: Take Action.

The third and final step to your spiritual cleanse is to take action and set intentions. Make sure you're in a private and quiet place for this step, and place your crystals around you if you chose to work with them.

• On a piece of paper, write down all of the things that hold you back in life. Write down bad habits, limited thinking patterns... even an ex or negative social tie. This is list 1.

• On a separate piece of paper, make a list of things you have gratitude towards: people or places you love, goals and intentions for the future. This can be a list of things that make you happy. This is list 2.

• Next, find a small candle and an ashtray/small bowl of water. Light the edge of list 1 and allow it to burn. As the paper burns, envision all of your strife and negativity escaping your life. As the paper turns to ash, it takes your stresses away with it.

• Lastly, take list 2 and meditate on everything you wrote. Picture happy things and envision all of your goals coming true. Fold this piece of paper and keep it in your wallet or a drawer. Read this list when you need to lift your spirit. I personally like to read my list immediately upon waking up to motivate myself.

Repeat this small ritual when you need an energetic boost. You can put your own creative spin on it, and even share it with friends! There's no right or wrong here- just mindfulness of your inner white light! When we love ourselves, we can better serve and love others.

By: Raquel Reyes

A writer, entrepreneur, and spiritual enthusiast: I host writing workshops for women in LA and NYC. My goal is to create a safe and inviting space for women to come together to share their love of writing - a space where judgment and competition don't exist. Our experiences shape us, so to write about them is to truly create the bridges that close our gaps as Women and as humans. We are all One. Through writing we can establish and strengthen our human connections and honor our imagination. I love travel, yoga, and Goddess energy!

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