~ Comfort and Joy ~
We need and crave comfort in these troubled times...
Joy may seem impossible.
Despair might creep in if we give it a wide berth.
I'm not suggesting that you bury your head in the sand...
just seek a balance.
~ It is not selfish to practise self care ~
Creating and embracing JOY in our daily round is important for our well being.
Soothing slow and mindful habits can and need to be cultivated.
With that in mind I am
starting off the New Year with some comforting rituals...
little things that make a difference in my days.
lighting candles
taking tea
reading inspirational books
wearing soft fabrics that feel like a warm hug
trying out a new shade of lipstick
browsing in a used bookshop
exploring the neighbourhood ~ slowly walking around
discovering a different park or new garden
visiting an art gallery
shopping for groceries in a different store
tidying up a messy cupboard or drawer
making a new recipe
baking some yummy cookies
(the opportunities are vast!)
I created a cozy corner in my "hobby" room.
Re-reading Simple Abundance and Romancing The Ordinary
by
Sarah Ban Breathnach
Mornings are started with a few pages of each of these lovely books...
they definitely help set a thoughtful and positive tone to my day.
There have been some "new" things too...
besides purging stuff and donating to the charity shops I've browsed a few...
I discovered these Geoc leather boots at a local WIN thrift shop...
What a great pair of boots!
Happy to have found them as they were on my list for at least 2 years.
New palette of matte powder eye shadows...
Marcelle, a Canadian company, make some lovely products.
My former Marcelle palette was a mess...
several of the powders had been all used up
so there was not much point trying to eke out any product.
It was time to buy a replacement :-))
KUR nail veil...
Using these nail enhancers for over 2 years have improved my nails.
My cuticles are in much better shape and my nails are much stronger.
Have you tried the KUR line of nail illuminators?
It's raining cats and dogs here this morning...
will be a day to be indoors
perfect for making a big batch of soup or baking something yummy.
Carbs call to me on these rainy days...
I've been very good at avoiding them as they tend to be my dieting downfall.
The scale is hovering in and around the 15 pounds lost mark...
I'll need to up my activity level or lower my intake.
Slow progress, but it's reduced my hip pain substantially, so I feel very grateful.
How are you starting 2026?
Making any resolutions?
Travel Plans?
Hope you are feeling ready to embrace positive change.
Perhaps making self care one of your comforting rituals.
~ Take Care ~
Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.
~ Be Well and Be Kind ~
7 comments:
Brava for your weight loss! It will make your surgery more manageable. I am going to try that polish because my nails have had much damage due to too much nail gel. They have been bare since September so I’m ready to try something gentle. I’m hoping to go to Shetland for a book festival. Ann Cleeves and Louise Penny are both presenting. Enjoy your rainy day!
Oh that trip to Shetland for the book festival will be sublime! I have been looking at Shetland posts on Instagram and the landscape looks so rugged and interesting. There is a woman in my knitting group who buys yarn in Shetland...
Definitely look into the KUR polish as it is a much healthier alternative to regular formulas and it allows the nail bed to breathe.
Well done on your weight loss! Carbs are my downfall, too. Balance is so necessary these days with the world in such turmoil. I like your list of comforting things.
No definite plans for 2026 yet. Our family trip to Mexico was on our minds for most of last year. Now that's over, I'm happy to stay at home for awhile. Happy New Year, Leslie.
Such a good point: self care isn't selfish! There is so much in the world that we can't control - we need to take care of ourselves and our people, as much as we can. Geox made good shoes - those boots are awesome, great find!
I am focusing on self care in 2026. I am learning what my retirement years are going to look like... I have used the KUR polish for over a year, and agree it is a lovely product.
What a wonderful post Lesley. Your list of self care ideas is just the tonic I need. Over six months hard work to downsize to a smaller home for our senior years has taken its toll on me. I have noted down your suggestions. The cosy corner in your hobby room is such a neat idea, one worth trying. A new lipstick would be nice too. Lovely to see your rose paintings, I always love those. Well done on the 15 pounds which is a lot to lose, and it's great it reduces your hip pain. While I don't tend to make resolutions, after we finish settling ourselves into our new home, we are starting to plan another trip to Canada to see our daughter. Fingers crossed Air Canada will keep the Brisbane-Vancouver flight going; it is the quickest way for us to get to Ottawa. Have a lovely week.
What a great start you’ve had to the New Year. Simple pleasures are easily overlooked but they are very comforting and accessible to anyone who cares to look. I love that you have a regular morning routine. I’m sure it sets you up very well to make the most of each day.
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