Reading Poetry as Spiritual Self-Care (Even If You Never Have Before)

How I started, how it helps, and how to find your own rhythm

This weekly Tuesday letter is a soft space for you to land—full of reflections, resources, and real-life support for your slow, intentional self-care journey.

There was a time in my life—when we were homeschooling, when mornings were slower and the world felt quieter—when I used to begin each day outside with a warm mug of tea and a poetry book. I’d sit on the porch or in the backyard as the sun rose, listening to the first sounds of the day. I didn’t read much. Sometimes just one poem. But that simple habit made me feel more whole—as if I were tuning my soul before stepping into the day. I didn’t do it to become more productive or insightful. I did it because it helped me feel connected—to the natural world, to language, and to myself.

That season has shifted. My mornings are faster now, and I’m not often outside at sunrise. But my love for poetry hasn’t left me. These days, I reach for a poetry book on quiet weekends—Saturday or Sunday mornings when the house is still and the light is soft. After I read through some of my favorite Substack posts, I’ll linger with a poem or two—a thoughtful transition into the day. I sip tea slowly. I reflect. Sometimes I copy down a line that speaks to me. Other times, I simply sit with the feeling a poem leaves behind. And when I plan my monthly self-care retreats, poetry always has a place. I read poetry, then journal, and something about that pairing always feels like opening a window inside myself. If you’ve never tried reading poetry before, I’ll say this: there’s something quietly magical—and even life-changing—that can happen in the pages of a poetry book.

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Why Poetry?

I think many people are intimidated by poetry. Maybe it brings back memories of high school analysis, or maybe it feels mysterious and hard to pin down. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to understand every line. You don’t need to know what a metaphor is doing. You don’t need to wring out the meaning like it’s a riddle.

Poetry is about resonance. It’s about what stirs inside you. A line might echo something you’ve never had words for. Or it might challenge your thinking, or remind you of something simple you forgot you loved. You can read a poem in two minutes and carry it with you all week. There’s a kind of magic in that.

For me, poetry has become one of the most nourishing and accessible forms of self-care—a spiritual practice that I only ever look forward to. It doesn’t require an hour or a yoga mat or a bubble bath. It asks only for your attention. A single poem and some deep breaths can be enough to shift your whole day.