Hello chic friends! Here in New Zealand we are in the thick of winter, but it feels like spring is not too far away. There is an abundance of bright yellow daffodils in our garden and the temperatures are becoming milder.
I'm feeling really good and I think it's down to two things:
1. I've been purposely focusing on positive thoughts, having gratitude and increasing my mindset to be happier, and
2. Tidying and beautifying my home and garden. We found a great gardener who has been doing the hard things, and that in itself has inspired me to tidy the smaller parts more. I have also been decluttering superflous items, tidying areas and organising things that had gotten muddly.
I know as a human it's just part of our makeup to go through happier, lighter times when everything flows easily, and then there are those times where everything seems like a monumental effort. I totallyget that. At those times it's simply enough to try and keep the laundry up to date and cook dinner :)
But even in those times (or should I say 'especially in those times') I try to read books that uplift me such as a good novel or this beautiful Italian picture book (focusing on Florence) which I borrowed from the library, take time for hair and makeup, and get a good night's sleep by doing all the things I know work for me (winding down before bed, no sugar, having our bedroom be tidy and peaceful).
I don't know how you find it, but for me the ups and downs of day to day life are quite strong. Possibly it could by my introvert nature. I absorb a lot and I have to be careful about that. I also have to actively work on feeling good with balanced meals, lots of water, a positive mindset and all those things that you've read about in wellness articles before.
It's amazing how all those lifestyle tips seem so boring and obvious, then when you don't do them you realise, wow, they are important. But I also think that for some of us it takes a bit of effort to get back to an even keel when we feel that life is bolting along and we're hanging on by our fingernails. That sounds a bit dramatic but I'm sure you have felt this way too at some stage and maybe you are now.
Brian Tracy, one of my favourite 'pump me up' motivational authors, says that in life you have small and large crises regularly, and it's a part of life. A small crisis might be forgetting to put the outdoor umbrella down when there was a wind warning and now it's kindling in the fireplace basket (Yes, this just happened to us). If only I'd not forgotten to check the umbrellas was folded away!
Big crises can knock you down for longer, but everything is a part of life. It was the first anniversary of my dad's death this week, and the past year has felt both long and short. Estates take a lot of untangling and we are working our way through it piece by piece.
All of this to say that wherever you are, it's where you're meant to be. Sometimes things that happen to you can feel so unfair, but trying to resist a situation doesn't feel good. It feels much better to focus on the positive, have gratitude for what is going well and give thanks for everything you've been blessed with. Sounds hokey, but when you are in a difficult position, it means everything.
Blessings to you wherever you are (not just in the world, but if you're in a hard place or an easy place right now).
xx Fiona
PS. Have you read my newest book ‘Thirty More Chic Days’yet? I think it is my best work, and you can ‘look inside’ on Amazon, to see if I am your cup of tea. You are warmly welcomed!
In this book I write about fun and simple ways to uplevel your mindset to create your most fun way of living, in whatever chic flavour inspires you the most. I hope you check it out on Amazon and take a ‘Look Inside’ to see if it speaks to you! You can read the first couple of chapters that way.
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Hi Fiona! Thanks so much for this post. I needed it this morning. I SO relate to you saying that the ups and downs of life for you are quite strong and that you take in a lot so you need to be careful about that. It's a powerful observation. This is me. I have spent a lot of time on your "Thirty Slim Days" this year and truly see the value now of writing down thoughts and ideas and then nurturing and inspiring myself to follow through with action plans for new beliefs. Thank you for your insightfulness and for writing your insights down so we have our own tools to use when we're "hanging on by our fingernails", which is really not too dramatic. I am there right now and I'm grateful for the stability that I have put in place thanks to your simple but powerful recommendations. You're the bomb! xo Karen
ReplyDeleteOh boy Fiona, I am certainly going through a rough patch right now. I will be undergoing a unilateral mastectomy in two weeks time. It isn't cancer, but a "pre-cancer" called DCIS in my right breast. I've elected not to have reconstruction, so this means I will have to accept a new normal for me having only one breast. It's overwhelming to say the least.
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Dear D, I pray that all will be well for you and that your recovery will be complete.
DeleteOh D, this is huge. Big hugs to you. xx
DeleteThese words resonate, thank you for touching upon how much those little everyday actions and thoughts can be so helpful. I like Brian Tracy, too! (Except he is not a fan of "coffee breaks" and would probably say that I take way too many. Life is too short to not enjoy a coffee break I say!) :)
ReplyDeleteHaha, he wouldn't! I say take the coffee break too. Life is definitely too short not to have downtime. Having an aimless noodle about is one of life's great pleasures!
Delete"It's amazing how all those lifestyle tips seem so boring and obvious, then when you don't do them you realise, wow, they are important." You are so right about that, Fiona. I can think, "Oh yeah, those same old wellness tips." But do I do them? So often I don't, and you're right, that makes all the difference.
ReplyDeleteAs you say, small and large challenges are a fact of life, but isn't it easy for us to dwell on them and complain about them? Being mindful of all we have to be grateful for, even in the midst of those challenges, is key. "Where you tend a rose, my lad, a thistle cannot grow." That's from The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
A very inspiring post, Fiona! Thanks for sharing.
Great quote, Karen, and I must read that book! xx
DeleteI Fiona! Today I am grateful for receiving a post in my inbox from you! I do look forward to them so much and they are always uplifting and inspiring. I am reading a book right now that really touches on this issue and I think you would enjoy it. It is called Hardwiring Happiness by Dr. Rick Hanson. He talks about how we can actually change the physical connections in our brain to be more happy be focusing and noticing positive things throughout our day and really taking the time to let those feelings sink in and connect. It is similar to what you are saying here.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the book recommendation!! :)
DeleteI wish you a speedy recovery, it sounds like you are doing everything right. I know how something like this can affect you mentally as I did the same many years ago and it wasn't fun.
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