Word of the Week: Anam Cara

Yesterday, after a full weekend of outward-facing energy, the smiles, conversations, and laughter at a Trunk-or-Treat, I felt the familiar mix of fullness and fatigue.

My heart was filled with connection, but my body quietly asked for stillness.

There’s something sacred about that come-down after community events, the quiet drive home, the shoes kicked off, the slow exhale that says you gave a lot today. 

I could feel the tug between wanting to keep up my usual momentum and knowing what I really needed was rest. Not just sleep, but a rest that sinks into the bones.

That’s when Anam Cara came to mind, the Irish Gaelic phrase meaning “soul friend.” 

Traditionally, it’s used to describe a person who sees and loves you for your truest self. But this week, I’m thinking of it differently:

What if your body is your Anam Cara - a soul friend guiding you home to yourself?

Our bodies speak in subtle ways: tightness in the shoulders, a heavy exhale, a wave of relief when we finally sit down. They’re not betraying us when they ask for slowness; they’re whispering care.

Too often, we speak to ourselves with frustration:

“You’re being lazy,”

“You should be doing more,” 

Words we’d never say to a dear friend. But when we treat our bodies as companions instead of tasks to manage, the conversation softens.

Reflection Prompts

1. When my body asks for rest, how do I usually respond?

   
   

2. What would it look like to treat my body as a friend rather than a project?

   
   

3. Think of one moment today when your body tried to get your attention — what was it saying?

   
   

4. How does your “soul friend” self speak differently than your critical self?

Gentle Self-Talk to Try

“I’m allowed to be both grateful and tired.”

“Rest is not the opposite of productivity, it’s the foundation for it.”

“My body is not my enemy; it’s my ally.”

“I listen, I honor, I soften.”

“I don’t need to earn rest, I simply need to return to myself.”

This week, when your body whispers for a pause, listen.

Pour tea instead of pushing through. Stretch instead of scrolling. Let your Anam Cara body remind you that tending to yourself is an act of friendship, not indulgence.

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About the Author:

Elizabeth Rago is a storyteller, media strategist, and community builder who’s equally at home writing compelling content or navigating teenage chaos with tea in hand.

A seasoned writer with 20+ years of experience across industries from mental health and design to insurance and advocacy, she’s also the founder of MDW (The Modern Domestic Woman), a no-fluff resource hub for women in transition.

Whether she’s ghostwriting for execs or spotlighting small-town gems, Elizabeth brings heart, humor, and a fierce belief in the power of connection. Learn more at MDWcares.com or find her on Instagram and LinkedIn.