“I live to enjoy life by the littlest things, feeling the grass between my toes, breathing fresh air, watching the wind sway the trees, enjoying the company of loved ones, a deep conversation, getting lost in a good book, going for a walk in nature, watching my kids grow up. Just the feeling itself of being alive, the absolute amazing fact that we are here right now, breathing, thinking, doing.”
~ Marigold Wellington
2018 is a year that supports spending time on what matters – family, friendship, fun, and the priorities and projects dear to our hearts. It’s year to be creative, to kick back and enjoy ourselves, to slow down a little.
But all of this behaviour can be so very hard to embrace when we have been used to work, work, work, stress, stress, stress, busy, busy, busy.
So this weekend I have a project for you, even if you do have work scheduled! See how many of these you can tick off your list by Sunday night:
- Sitting with a cuppa or your favourite beverage and taking ten minutes to enjoy every sip and the peacefulness that comes with stopping for a while.
- Time in nature – a walk outside to look at the sky counts too!
- A relaxing shower or soak in the bath where you take time to enjoy the experience of the water and how it soothes you.
- Time with a beloved person or pet where you put everything else aside and just be there for them and with them. Phone calls and video calls count too!
- A fragrant treat – scent is a fast-track to happy memories, and to a place that is innovative and creative and upbeat within us. How can you connect to that? Maybe it’s a few drops of essential oil, or your favourite perfume or cologne, a fragrant soap or body lotion, a bunch of flowers, the scent of baking or a good coffee, the ocean or clean clothes fresh from the line still smelling of sunshine.
- A nourishing meal, eaten slowly and savoured, as you feel how it is doing you and your body good.
- A nap, a rest, or some quiet time to refresh you and recharge your batteries. I find books to be a wonderful downtime tool when I can’t get my mind quiet. Music is good for that too.
- Social time – this could be a drink or meal with friends or family, time at the movies or a shopping mall or anywhere you like to hang out with other people. Don’t know anyone? Smile or say hello to people anyway.
- Time on a project that is important to you. Even ten minutes counts. Just make them quality minutes by putting away your phone and other distractions.
- Some time where you do nothing at all, or anything you want and don’t feel guilty about that being wasted time.
Life is precious, sweet and over all too soon – especially if we have lived our entire lives busy and distracted. Slow down this weekend and make some little pockets of time for you and time for what truly matters.
Biggest love and hugs, Nicole❤ xoxo
Thanks Nicole! Important reminders ☕️
This is perfect , I mean real perfect 👌
Cherryx
Thank you for these words. I have been doing some of the above over the past few days. Today, my family are getting together in honour of one of our own, who passed away this morning. Time with our loved ones is good for healing and comfort.
I hope you are well xx
Sounds like a great plan 🙏 I have already ticked a few off. Cooked myself a delicious meal 🥘 last night and sat at the table alone enjoying every mouthful. Listened and danced to music 🎶 of the 60s, showered washing the day away and messaged a few friends did a card reading then hoped into bed and watched an Aussie movie 🎥 bliss 💫💫🌸🌈
Great advice xoxo