Thoughts on...Home

I've mentioned a few times that we were planning to sell our house...and then decided not to. It's been a strange old roller coaster from start to finish and it has made me take a step back and question why I was hoping to move to start with. It wasn't for any definite reason. I'd just decided I wanted a bigger garden...an extra bathroom...more space.

However - deciding not to move has taken a huge weight off my shoulders, and I've realised that I was looking for the right things, but in the wrong place.

I'm now feeling settled and content in our current house and have stopped focusing on what I need from my home..not a pointless list of things I want - and I've realised I have everything I need already. I thought I'd share what I've come to realise are the most important things to feel at home, wherever that may be...

1. Environment - Being surrounded by the right people, pets and plants - I'm a bit of an introvert at heart. My home will never be constantly filled by large groups of people (that would be enough to leave me running for the hills) but I adore my family, friends, pets and yep, even my plants, and love how they all fill the house with memories and life - definitely the most important part of my home

2. Rituals - Having little rituals at home - this is something I've been working on over the past few weeks. Sunday morning breakfast is now a bit of an event. So is making sure that we have some time each week curled up in our new snug chair, reading, and board game night. I'm already finding that this is helping me to create memories and a sense of being settled.

3. Nooks - Linked to our new snug chair above - I've recently created a bit of a nook in our conservatory and it has completely changed how I feel about the area, and the house. Having a super comfy little area to curl up in is now on my 'must have' for any home from now on - I can't believe I haven't had one before now. I've found myself sitting in our nook each morning while I gather my thoughts for the day, and definitely think it's helping my mindfulness.

4. Stuff - I think I have donated about 10 car loads of 'stuff' to charity in recent months...and I haven't missed a single thing I donated. But what I have been left with is some precious items of 'stuff' which mean the world to me and make me very happy. I love looking around my home and seeing things which have memories attached. Right now I'm say typing and looking at a little vintage cow milk jug my hubby bought for me one year. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside because it is so absolutely 'me'. I love the minimalist look but I don't think that will ever be my home because it doesn't represent me ... and my stuff

So there we go...that's home for me. We've got a little bit of re-decorating to do, but not much, and it's a lovely feeling to be settled.

What makes a home for you? I'd love to know.

Bye for now

xx

Thoughts on Kindness

I've recently been watching my way through The Kindness Diaries on Netflix. The programme is a travel documentary of sorts, but based on the premise that the 'traveller' - Leon Logothetis - has to rely entirely on the kindness of strangers to sleep, eat and for fuel for his amazingly retro yellow motorbike.

I've found it to be a really touching show which has really put some of my own concerns into perspective, and is a much needed televisual hug while the world seems to be going a little bit crazy. The most powerful message I've taken so far is that it seems to be the people with the least who give the most.

'Kind' is a word I've always held as part of my identity, who I am. It's a trait I value highly, and that's something I definitely learnt from my parents. However - watching The Kindness Diaries has made me reflect a little bit on what I do to show kindness to strangers - people who aren't actually part of my family/ friendship/ work circles. I think the answer is 'not much' and so that's something I'm aiming to change. Ultimately I want to donate time to supporting people through volunteering. However, there are some baby steps I want to take first, to try and make myself more conscious of the importance of kindness towards others, and I thought I'd share them today.

1. Donate items - this is an obvious one, and isn't new to me. I always donate to charity shops when I'm having a turn-out. However - I often see charities advertising for donations of handmade items (eg blankets for homeless people, crochet octopus for premature babies, jackets for rescued battery hens) and I'm going to try and donate some of my crafting time to making some items for these charities. More on that to come in future posts!

2. Stop Judging - I mentioned in my post last Monday that I have found myself judging strangers online in the past and intend to stop doing that, and that is something I plan to ensure is part of my every day life - on and off the internet. Judging others is a massive waste of time, and just adds more negativity to the bubbling pit of meanness that already exists in the world.

3. Be Kinder Behind the Wheel - Driving can sometimes bring out the worst in people it seems. Something I've already tried to start doing is letting people out of turnings more. I've already received a lot more smiles and friendly waves from other drivers, which makes me a less tense driver,  so it already seems like such a tiny action is having a positive impact.

4. In the blogging world - leave kind comments. Blogging and commenting don't seem to go hand in hand anymore - but I know that taking time to leave a comment can make someone feel happy when they've taken time to put something out there. This seems like a really lovely way to spread a bit of kindness

5. Be Kind to Myself - I think this is the foundation of all other kindness. I am the queen of beating myself up about things I can't change, or mistakes I've made. This then leads to a crappy mood, which then rubs off on those around me. So my first step is to be kind to myself. I have a sneaky suspicion this will be the most challenging change!

I'd love to hear about the steps you take to be more kind, and if you know of any crafted item donations please pass them on, I'd love to build a list!

Bye for now

xx

Thoughts on Blogging

Well I have hardly been a prolific blogger these past few months. My blog has remained in the back of my mind through all of the quiet periods, like an old friend you can not talk to for years, but know that when you do catch up it'll be like things never changed.

Things do change though, and I know I've definitely changed as I've progressed through my thirties, and I'd love to start writing a blog that reflects that. 

There are some truly beautiful blogs out there in the world - so many in fact, that it can become overwhelming. Particular for an over-thinker, which I most definitely am. It's easy to decide that because my life will never be the perfect picture of beautiful clothes, worn in amazing locations, surrounded by rose gold accessories that I should give up the blogging game. 

But, honestly, that's not the life I want. I want to look at some pretty items I have a hope of being able to afford, I want to be creative and make things (irrespective of how crappy they may turn out to look) and I want to have fun and write about whatever is interesting me at the time. 

The little blog in the back of my mind has been trying to whisper to me for the past few weeks that perhaps if I feel like that, then other people might too, and might still be interested in reading my space in the blogosphere.  

I think I'm going to listen this time. Life outside of the world of my chrome book is difficult at the moment due to the health of someone I love very much,  but then life can difficult. The truly horrific events that have taken lives in the UK recently seem to suggest that the world has quite literally gone mad. Blogs sometimes neglect to mention that, with the chant of 'only ever be positive' ringing in our ears from so many different lists of blogging tips. 

I'm planning to have a little bit of a re-fresh around these parts - some new post ideas, and just a renewed attempt to make this a space that reflects more of life. I'm planning more posts that involve more writing...my thoughts on things and lessons I've learnt. For I have learnt many! There will still be homeware and crafts a-plenty though...never fear!

If you've taken time to read this little outpouring then thank you. It's really appreciated and makes my heart feel that little bit fuzzier. I hope to see you again soon. 

Bye for now xx