Soothing your way through January…
‘If Winter Comes, Can Spring Be Far Behind?’
Percy Bysshe Shelley
I truly believe that neglecting yourself leaves you feeling overwhelmed. I know it’s true from personal experience and I’m determined it won’t happen again. At the moment, in current circumstances, I aim to stay positive and I have a long list of things I’m looking forward to when normality slowly returns.
So over the Christmas period, I made myself a little plan, hoping it will enable me to achieve more, but at the same time continue to embrace slow living. In turn I hope to continue to grow my business and embark on a few new projects. But, there is no rush……just one month at a time!
Included in my plan are two main areas on which I will focus. I have included a few things below that I have already implemented:
Self Care
I incorporate a daily walk through the park into my routine. A short walk through natural surroundings, with lots of fresh air certainly gives my mind a well needed boost! At the same time, I can end up at my local post office and send any orders out.
My walk has been particularly welcome on recent frosty mornings. The wintry sun reveals a frozen earth and bare trees hold the promise of a spring to come.
The first thing I do when I get back home is put the kettle on and have a mug of steaming hot tea. I then feel ready for the rest of the day.
If I feel the need to relax, or take a break, I’ll read for an hour and sometimes I take a power nap and that really helps!
Spending some time in the kitchen is also relaxing. In the evenings I’ll flick through some recipe books and plan what I can try next. I received a fabulous book as a Christmas gift, ‘Carpathia Food From The Heart Of Romania’ by Irina Georgescu. I’m not a ‘fancy’ food person, so I love this book because I’m passionate about Romanian food and I enjoy cooking and eating wholesome, natural ingredients. The recipes in this book remind me of the foods I ate when I spent my childhood summers in Apold with family. I can tell you there’s a good stock of polenta in my utility room, ready and waiting to be used in a variety of ways.
Unwinding at the end of the day
I have worked from home for a number of years now. I used to get really distracted, very easily! Because so many of us are now confined to home, I think it’s more important than ever to establish a routine.
I set myself a time to switch off and to limit my screen time, especially on my phone. This time may vary because basically I can work whenever I choose to.
When I sit down to relax, I’ll find something to read and light a candle. I tend to vary my fragrances at different times of the year. In the evenings, at the moment I’m burning two candles alternately….
Hygge
My first candle of choice. This scent makes me want to snuggle down and get cosy! It’s a rich, full aroma with top notes of bergamot, lemon leaf and eucalyptus. At its heart are notes of lavender and geranium, with base notes of cedar, musk and amber.
Sandalwood and Black Pepper
My second candle of choice at the moment. This is one of the newer ones I added to the collection. I tend to like quite a strong fragrance and this has an amazing hot and cold scent throw. When lit, this candle’s scent will quickly fill the room. I find it warming and comforting. Its top notes are leather, tobacco, amber and musk, with heart notes of pepper and spicy black tea. It delights even further with base notes of sandalwood, patchouli and teak wood.
I hope you are finding ways to help you relax and making time for a little self care. Try and find something to be grateful for each day and make a note of it in a little book. Once in a while look back over the list …….and smile.
Stay safe and well…