I thought I would share some of the little things I have done this year that have made all the difference in turning my life around. As a lovely and inspiring friend put it yesterday, its the little things that end up making the bigger picture. She was so right. Just including a few of these things everyday has made all the difference in how I feel.
- Spending quality time in my own company when Darby is at school, whether that is time at home just relaxing, out for a coffee just watching the world go by, or sitting somewhere and just daydreaming;
- Wearing bright coloured jewellery, especially of the neon yellow kind! It really does brighten up my mood and my outfits!
- Drinks of nice and hot tea in pretty cups, I am liking the Yogi brand in Chai Roobios, and I can never ever go past my all time favourite Lady Grey;
- Attending twice weekly dance exercise classes. Its been so much fun to dance around a room to cheesy music, letting all inhibitions go! It gives me a massive buzz, I don't even realise I have been exercising!
- Finally listening to my body and respecting what it wants and needs. This has been very powerful in ending my dieting mentality for good (all thanks to intuitive eating);
- Trying new foods, and giving up some foods too! In particular I am loving Umbeboshi Plums (thanks to my sister who introduced these to salty little gems) and Bee Pollen (thanks to Amelia over at Nurture and Shine for recommending these little wonders!)
- Baking new treats for Darby and myself. I love trying new products and being innovative with the way I incorporate health and fun into our diets!
- Visiting Health food stores;
- Drinking my one and only daily coffee. As much as I look like I am addicted to the stuff, I am not, I could go a day without, and I have. I just enjoy the ritual of going out and trying new things, it is just something I love to do!
- Visiting Health food stores;
- Drinking my one and only daily coffee. As much as I look like I am addicted to the stuff, I am not, I could go a day without, and I have. I just enjoy the ritual of going out and trying new things, it is just something I love to do!
- Making the time to see good friends, this is so good for the soul. Life is busy, but I find because I don't have a partner at home to have adult conversations with, I crave connecting with people that I love and when I do, it is so reassuring and I always walk away feeling enriched;
- Reading inspiring books and blogs, that leave me feeling uplifted and motivated. My favorite books are quite often cook books, so I have indulged in a few that are supporting my new healthy philosophies;
- Walking around our local neighbourhood and taking photos, I love how I see things in a new way when I do this!
- Walking around our local neighbourhood and taking photos, I love how I see things in a new way when I do this!
- Taking photos of Darby with my new camera. It really has me stepping outside my comfort zone as I have somehow managed to teach myself to shoot in Manual mode. I love how this makes my brain really think!
- Giving up processed sugar. Making this change has made me feel amazing, clear headed, vibrant and so much happier! It was a very natural process and the longer I go without the better I feel;
- Switching off from work the moment I leave the building. I enjoy the job I do and the people I work with, but when it clocks over 4.30pm, I clear my mind and don't think about work until the next time I walk through that door. This was a hard one for me, but after some bouts of severe stress last year, it was essential for my mental health to do this. Working 3 days a week has given me back that work/life balance I needed;
- Switching off from work the moment I leave the building. I enjoy the job I do and the people I work with, but when it clocks over 4.30pm, I clear my mind and don't think about work until the next time I walk through that door. This was a hard one for me, but after some bouts of severe stress last year, it was essential for my mental health to do this. Working 3 days a week has given me back that work/life balance I needed;
- Enjoying my Saturday Darby days. Now that he is at school I really treasure the time we spend together on the weekend. We tend to sight see around Melbourne, have lunch and just hang out. After the hustle and bustle of the busy school week, its just nice to reconnect on the weekends;
Most of these are pretty simple things, but they have all added up to greater happiness and sense of self which is what I was striving for. I want to be able to look back in years to come and remember how much I enjoyed my life! I am not waiting for the future to do that, I am living the life I want now!
Until next time,
Jane
Love it hon - so nice to read about your journey to happiness.
ReplyDeleteI have several from you list too - especially the bright jewelry, the walks around neighbourhood taking pics and giving up processed sugar.
Enjoy your time lovely xx
Love, love, love that you have reclaimed your happiness. These are brilliant little ways to inject joy into your life. xxxx
ReplyDeleteI am so proud of you hun and I just got some great tips from you for my own journey so thank you xx
ReplyDeleteI love it...I think you are so completely right that it is all the small things that add up to overall happiness.
ReplyDeleteSavouring my one coffee a day and visiting health food stores two things that always make me happy too!
It's so wonderful to read this Jane. It sounds like you've made changes that have stuck and have worked for you. xx
ReplyDeleteoh how did I miss this post! these are such simple ideas that heaps of people can take stuff from. I love the fact that you derive pleasure from vising health food shops :) xx
ReplyDeleteYou're in a REALLY good place Jane, it's so blatantly obvious every time I see you!
ReplyDeleteAnd your healthier approach to eating is SERIOUSLY inspiring me (AFTER this baby is born, of course! ha!)
Cherie (Raising Master Max)
x
Thanks so much lovely!! Can you believe your comment was sitting in my spam... grr.. but at least it put a smile on my face today xxx
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