Now, this isn't about putting your feet up and chilling out all the time - but about taking time to appreciate everything and everyone around you. For me yoga hugely links with this and it's shaped the way I think and do pretty much everything.
So, as we're in full swing preparations for Christmas I'll share a couple of thoughts with you.
I love making things and have a passion for interior design, making Christmas wreaths, garlands, inspired by all things natural and paper decorations too. I've also developed an aversion to fast fashion, gifts surrounded by a ton of packaging and I'm also not a big fan of tinsel, glitter and mass produced Christmas characters shipped in from China. Bah humbug some of you might say, but each to their own hey? I do love warm white fairy lights though and seem to acquired quite a few sets!
This year I've hosted a couple of wreath making workshops in my home. It was such a joy to be part of the bustle at the New Covent Garden Flower Market at 5.30am and get some amazing foliage. I also foraged and a gardener friend contributed beautiful clippings from her garden.
We made gorgeous natural wreaths which can all be composted and the fames kept for next time. This ticks boxes for me.
I also wanted to buy a potted Christmas tree which I could keep, nurture and use again. I've tried this a couple of times before but they didn't survive. So, I was interested to see at Northfields Nursery (which I've used many times before), that they've decided not to sell potted Christmas trees because most don't survive. Whilst this is of course disappointing, I love their transparency. I feel this is fairer than being led to believe that you're going for a more sustainable option, which probably won't survive in the long run. I ended up buying a cute little cut tree for outside, which gives me a lot of pleasure every time I come though the door.
This leads me onto the Kinfolk books by Nathan Williams, which have played an important part in identifying the concept of 'Slow Living'. There are several but the concepts are the same. Deciding what things bring you joy, living with less and pursuing things with more meaning and passion. Celebrating the simple things. At this time of year it's like sharing your favourite Christmas recipes and traditions and cherishing special times with family and friends.
Listening to Bob Mortimer on 6 Music with Lauren Laverne yesterday talking about his Christmas Eve show Gone Fishing with Paul Whitehouse sounds like a 'must watch'. They are experts at the art of Slow Living. I'll look forward to seeing them in Norway in a quest to find a new Nordic Jumper.
Here's another couple more shares.
Up cycling Christmas decorations. A little bit of TLC can transform that bauble your daughters year 1 teacher gave her 17 years ago, by adding a bit of thin velvet ribbon.
Make some paper decorations - there are loads of tutorials on how to make gorgeous stars and snowflakes. This Danish design company are masters. https://moebe.dk/pages/christmas-star-2022
Doing yoga throughout the season can help keep things in balance. I'm offering a free Zoom class to celebrate Winter Solstice on 21st December. Anybody is welcome to join me. Please get in touch if you'd like more details.
In the meantime. Take a breath and enjoy the moment.
Namaste.
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