This Week in Seasonal Living
5 tips to keep you sane and help you enjoy the season
As the weeks of December melt away and the holidays approach, we can begin to feel frantic. None of us needs that! Try to find ways to slow your roll. When creating your to-do list, make it for the week, instead of a daily one. Then, only commit to one or two items a day. If you do more, great! But if you don’t, you have permission to finish it another day.
Crafting for yourself or with your family. Several years ago I took advantage of the masses of pine cones we have in our yard and painted the tips in white and put a little bit of sliver glitter on them. I love to have a winter white theme in the house in January, so I stacked them in a large glass vase, and it stays out until February. They also make a cute hostess gift!
Bake together, always a fun way to spend some quality time with the kids, and in my case my dad when he comes to visit 🔔 These cookies are so easy; you can make the dough ahead and keep it in the fridge, baking off as needed. Great for a cold day or to add a little cheer. To make them extra special, after I bake them, I will dip half of them in dark chocolate. A tiny bit of extra effort leads to a beautiful and slightly fancy cookie!
Whether it’s a Hanukkah menorah, a twinkling Christmas tree or the Kwanzaa Kinara, it’s that time of year when we most appreciate and welcome light. Many of our religious and cultural traditions trace their roots back thousands of years to light-filled celebrations of the Winter Solstice that marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. Dayton Daily News
Few things can set a scene of peacefulness as well as candlelight🕯️. It is inexpensive and easy, and transforms a space immediately. If you aren’t into real candles as it’s just another thing to pay attention to, there are some beautiful flameless candles available now. You can also utilize a string of fairy lights to bring that bit of sparkle to the darkness.
Gratitude: Take a moment each day to find a small joy and express gratitude for it. You can journal if you choose, but even just taking a pause, closing your eyes for 5 seconds and saying I am so grateful for ****,while taking a couple of breaths will re-set you for the rest of the day.
Small acts of kindness- This is a hard time of year for many people. Aside from the typical busyness of the season, many people are also dealing with loss, worry, and anxiety about annual get-togethers. Do not discount how the most basic of interactions can make someone’s day. Smile, say ‘Happy Holidays’, offer to open a door, or carry a heavy parcel. The smallest acts of kindness will release dopamine in your brain and make someone else’s day. Win, Win.
Want to support my journey? Grab me a coffee! It’s a simple way to say thanks and keep the inspiration flowing
Until next time,
Hello friend! My name is Amy. I am so happy you have stopped by ✨ If you are new here, a warm welcome to you! This space is where I meander through midlife, connecting to my true self through the seasonal shifts and simpler living, and seeking my inner wise woman. If you are also on this path and looking for someone to walk gently beside you, I see you and am here. Let’s color outside the lines together.