I know it’s the state of the world right now, but I have been craving some kind of daily reassurance. I follow someone on Instagram who posts daily devotionals, but I’m not religious so while I love the idea, they don’t really resonate with me. I LOVE the idea though. (Frankly, I’d love a non-religious “church.” I’d sign up in a heartbeat.) I was really looking for an app or a book that would give an intention or something inspiring/motivational to focus on for the day.
I posted about it on my Instagram story earlier this week and I KNEW you guys would pull through. I promised to share the responses. I got over one thousand responses, but a few popped up over and over again. This isn’t an exhaustive list– based on the number of responses there are a ton of options out there. I do think it’s a personal choice. What kind of vibe you’re going for and what kind of “voice” you want to hear.
THE DAILY STOIC
365 meditations, insights, and exercises from the ancient Stoics to lead you in living your best life.
SHINE
A daily text service delivering nuggets of wisdom and also available in app with meditations and guided exercises for gratitude and mental wellbeing.
I REALLY NEEDED THIS TODAY
Hoda Kotb compiled this book of 365 daily messages that you might just need to hear.
GMORNING GNIGHT
A book by Lin-Manuel Miranda with mini pep talks to inspire you daily.
HAPPY NOT PERFECT
This is a mindfulness app with lots of guided meditations– something for anything you’re facing on a particular day.
And what did I download?
STORYTELLER BY MHN
I spent a good amount of time going through recommendations to try to find one that fit the hole in my life that I was craving. This Storyteller app by Morgan Harper Nichols. Guys I was thrilled when I saw what she did! Marrying words (very, very beautiful and poignant words) with art. Two days in and I’m hooked. Sold. Sign me up for the lifetime plan. I also subscribed to her podcast. (Did I mention that I’m super sold on everything MNH?)
What is a non-religious “church?” You have said that your family is Jewish, will you not marry in a synagogue? I assume that you are pretty lax Jewish since you seem to celebrate Christmas too, but as the Jewish faith passed through the female line, do you not want to be married by a rabbi?
My dad is Jewish, my mom is Protestant. We grew up with both religions in our house and celebrated all the holidays (Christmas and Hanukkah, Easter and Passover, etc). But as an adult, I am not religious and won’t be married by a rabbi, priest, etc.
Excellent! Surely you will have a lovely ceremony.
As an unapologetic atheist, I find connection to the universe through walking. I listen to audiobooks while I walk through vintage and mid-century neighbourhoods, or through the city trail system.
At the beginning of the pandemic I watched people who were stuck at home finally build fences and clean garages. I saw the Snowbirds fly again after the death of one of their pilots. And the farmer sow and harvest his canola crop (last year it was wheat). Walking makes me aware of the passage of time and slows life to a more saner speed.
You mention a non-religious church. You might be interested in a Unitarian Universalist fellowship near you! It’s not uncommon to be an atheist or agnostic Unitarian Universalist. The focus is more on growing spiritually, while upholding principles such as the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equity and compassion in human relations; a free and responsible search for truth and meaning, etc.
I was going to say this too! Universalists are such unicorns to me but they seem to have great community 🙂
Was also coming to say this! I’m not Unitarian (I’m Jewish and agnostic), but I have a good friend who discovered the Unitarian Church last year and is absolutely in love with the the sense of community and intention, without a specific scripture.
I was going to comment this too! I used to go to a UU church with my mom when I was a kid but we stopped going when we moved once. Now that I’m an adult I’ve been thinking about trying out one where I live (but that’s going to have to wait now due to the pandemic of course)!
Came here to say the same thing! Unitarian Universalism has meant so much to me in my adult life as an agnostic who really treasures spirituality, community, and celebrating national and personal shared wins/losses. The communities I’ve joined have been amazing and filled with atheists, Christians, Jews, and Buddhists, the list goes on. Lots of UU churches (like many groups) are streaming their services online right now too. All Souls Church in DC is an absolutely amazing one: https://all-souls.org/.
Yoga is a spiritual practice. I found that once I found a studio/teachers who weren’t just white fitness experts, but truly practiced yoga, I was able to grow my own spiritual practice.
Inspiration and meaning. Trying looking up and reading about people who made a difference in this world. Their quotes can be inspirational. Anyone who has ever made a difference had both good and bad things that they have had to deal with throughout their lifetime. As far as religion is concerned. I totally respect everyones religious faiths. But in order to do that you would need to read up and understand why there are so many and the difference between them. We all have opinions both good and/or bad but at the end of the day it is your decision on what you want and are willing to do and live with.
I’m reading Hoda’s book now and I love it! Such a quick and easy way to start my day of positively! Thanks for the other reviews!!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
I love this. I am definitely going to check out the Shine daily text service – it sounds great!
http://alexagmarsh.blogspot.com/
We are all entitled to our opinions. I find it difficult to understand people being atheist or not religious. I can’t imagine a life without my faith and attending church on Sunday hearing God’s word surrounded by friends and restoring my soul.
Why even begin your comment with saying that everyone is entitled to their own opinions, when you then go on to say you “find it difficult” to understand anyone’s opinions (/beliefs) that are different than yours? Why post at all? Truly don’t understand what you were trying to bring to the table with this comment.
Agreed with everything you’ve written here.
For others, it’s difficult to believe that you have a faith that you consistently fall back on. That may be the way that you restore your soul, but have respect for the way that everyone else on earth restores their souls, as well. For you that may be church, for others that may be taking a walk, yoga in the park, calling a friend for a long catch up session, or even taking a long bubble bath.
I’m sure you’re already on her Instagram bandwagon too! Her stories are so amazing. I also recommend checking out Mary Oliver if you haven’t before. Her poetry speaks to the nature/spiritual connection that is so powerful. And! I just finished reading Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer and it was so peaceful to read in a time when the world feels anything but peaceful and calm. The book is comprised of beautiful essays on nature and connections to climate change/society’s structure today. My boyfriend heard a lot about how corn, beans and squash grow and how salamanders migrate! Haha
Love Mary Oliver! My Unitarian Universalist fellowship incorporates her poetry heavily during our services.
She’s the best! I have her Wild Geese poem pasted on my wall above my desk so I see it all day long while I work from home. It’s not even in a pretty frame or “styled at all.” It was one of the first things I put up when I moved in three years ago and I literally just typed it into word, printed it out and taped it to my wall. It needed to go up that quickly! Haha
Carly, thank you for all of your honesty. I have followed you for some time, but during this pandemic you have given me real inspiration because I feel I have gotten to know the real you a bit more and your thoughts and views and angst are exactly what I’m feeling. I am 55 and a teacher in upstate NY. So though our lives are quite different, it soothes me to know how you feel especially, because there are so many others that have views that really frighten me. I’m very happy you and Mike found each other and just know, despite what others say, you are heard and valued and make a difference! Thank you for helping me and being brave and speaking up for important things!
i just downloaded the storyteller app last night! i love it so far.
Agree with Laura.
Hi Carly thanks for sharing. I wonder if you also experience insomnia and how do you deal with it? During the pandemic and job loss i’ve been experiencing it more frequently. I like to meditate and it helps, but sometimes it’s out of control and just plain difficult to deal with. I’d love to hear your thoughts! Thanks!
Hi, Carly! I had to drop a comment — I love MHN so much, and have been utilizing the Storyteller app for a few months! She has gorgeous, uplifting merchandise on her website as well…something to look into 🙂
Oh wow, thank you so much!
I just downloaded the Storyteller app – thank you for sharing!
I had never heard of her, but she has 1.5M followers (!!?!! I’m clearly living under a rock!) Thank you so much for sharing her.
My opinion is that I find it difficult to understand people being atheist or not religious. Yes we are entitled to our opinions and yes I have mind I chose to post to express my opinion on the matter. I do have the right to express my opinion as you do express yours questioning why I chose to comment.
But your comment adds nothing and, in fact, comes off as being judgemental.
And others may have the opinion that it is difficult to understand why you choose to be religious. You do have that right, but your tone comes off very condescending.
I believe (no pun intended, ha ha) that you’re missing out in your rejection of religion, even if you don’t feel like you are–you just don’t know what you’re missing. Someday everyone will come to this realization (I believe). There are such things as absolute truth and the possibility is real that there is one universally true religion out there that really does have the answers. Keep an open mind to that. But I do respect your choice.
Carly!!! A big thank you for checking out and recommending Morgan’s app, Storyteller. So glad it was the perfect fit for you and I know Morgan will be so encouraged and grateful for your kind support. Much love and many thanks from Jesse, Morgan and the ST App team.
Thank you so much, Carly! That means a lot!