Friday, March 24, 2023

A sorted life = self-care


 
Good morning and Happy Friday!

Gosh, I have had such a productive week at home, both mine and my mother’s.

There has been tidying, organising, unpacking and more going on. Whoever knew sorting out loose ends could feel so good?

Even something as simple as clearing away hot spots brings such a high :)

Our kitchen counters had been cluttered with extra items ever since the cyclone but no more baby. They’re clear now!

My next project is putting up a few pictures that have been hanging around (except they weren’t hanging, that was the problem :), plus tidying up the ‘everything cupboard’ in the garage.

And, I have a lunch date with my husband Paul today. Yay!



 
And earlier in the week I had such a good day in the garden - it was a big day of weeding and gardening. I love to see a nice garden, but it doesn't come naturally to me to want to potter around and do things in it all the time.

So, I make a day of it every so often and do everything. And it was so satisfying! I weeded my herb garden which contains parsley, chives, thyme and oregano. I also transplanted a rosemary plant and some mint. I planted the mint in a pot then the garden so it doesn't take over everything else. Plus mint likes it wet, so the pot will keep the moisture in more too. Let's hope everything thrives in my herb garden!

I watered the transplants even though it was meant to rain, and we did indeed get a light, misty sustained rain that afternoon which was just perfect.

I also decluttered ALL of my outdoor pots. Everything that was in a terracotta pot is now in the garden. This was one of the things I identified that I could do to ‘make my life easier’. The question ‘How can I make my life easier?’ is one of my regular journal prompts and it always brings up good answers.

I have all the pots stacked to donate. And I now don’t have to weave around them to hang my laundry out, water them, plant them, buy potting mix and bring it home… so many jobs eliminated.
 
I have enjoyed pots in the past, and the sight of a recently planted, well-watered pot brimming with bright flowers still brings me joy.

But for the season of life I’m in right now I love the simplicity of no pots and also the clean open look of a terrace, lawn and garden.

An easier life = excellent self-care!

What could you do to make your life easier? What’s one thing that comes to mind that you could do that would make a big difference like my pots?
 


 
No. 1, thank you! You've made my day. If you have ordered my newest book, I hope you are enjoying it and getting some good, useful advice and inspiration from it.

The goal when I write my books is to share what inspires me and what I have learned. And also I write them for me. I write what I want to read, and what I need to hear. They are as much reminders for me as anything else.

I know there are many of YOU who would write an excellent book. You know who you are! And I'd love to read it.

Let your fanciful side fly free and let her write what she wants to write. Don't worry about what anyone might think, do it for you.

You have to be the one who has your own back, in anything in life but especially your creative work.

Anyway, that's just a little pep talk today as I settle in for some writing time :)

I hope you're doing well!

xx Fiona


PS. My book 'The Chic Author', goes into everything I did to begin self-publishing my books. Whether you're a complete beginner or have already written a book, there will be something in this book for you.

It's here on Amazon.

And in my eStore (eBook only) for an Amazon alternative.
 
 



And my newest book '100 Ways to Enjoy Self-Care for Gentle Wellbeing and a Healthy Body Image' is on Amazon (paperback and Kindle).

And the eBook in my eStore.



 
 
(My Amazon links are affiliate, which means that I may receive a small commission on anything you purchase through my link. AND it's an Amazon Smile link too, which I have directed to the ASPCA. I don't know how they manage to do both with one link, but they did. Thanks Amazon!)

7 comments:

  1. I just learned a few days ago that in February Amazon Smile no longer exists. They discontinued the program.

    I so enjoyed this peaceful post. I am looking at all these boxes sitting in my new rent house and I was beginning to feel very overwhelmed. But this breezy article changed my attitude. Your advice on writing for yourself is so right on. It took some of the stress time out of writing. Write what I want to read, write what I would love to hear and enjoy myself!

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    Replies
    1. Oh no, I didn't know that about Amazon Smile!

      Nan, I'm helping mum unpack and to me, it's important to get as much as possible out of boxes and those boxes out of the house to a recycling place. Even if the items aren't in the perfect place they can be moved at a future time, and in the meantime you get to have instant gratification without all those unpacked boxes to get you down. And if you can't unpack everything at the moment, store them in the garage until you can so that your home feels nice to be in. Good luck xx

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  2. Hi Fiona :) I haven't bought the new book yet, as my husband's out of a job and I'm trying to be frugal at the moment. But, I know it's going to be just as wonderful as all the others, once I get it.

    It's so enjoyable to read about everyday things and how others do them, such as the planting and getting rid of the pots. That's such a simple thing and yet truly cuts down on the cluttered look. I may give that a try.

    I'm so glad you're getting back to normal life after the storm!

    Take care and have a wonderful weekend :)

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    Replies
    1. I hope things get better for your finances soon, Debbie. Knowing how to be frugal is a wonderful thing though. Good for you xx

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  3. Hi Fiona, really loved reading your latest book - so enjoying all of the 100 ways series. As you are a fan of lists - it would be great if you could write a 365 daily chic tips book- just one chic tip per day which would be great fun to read and easy for the reader to put into practice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, that's a great idea! I have put it in my 'Book Ideas' file. x

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  4. My mantra these days is also "How can I make life easier?" I no longer decorate the house for every season (only Christmas). I used to haul out seasonal dishes and all other sorts of clutter. Now I decorate with seasonal fresh flowers...I've stopped baking entirely. We have a wonderful little bakery in our small town and I'm happy to have them take care of any baking needs...I no longer can or put up veggies from my large garden. Feels good to make life easier!

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Merci for your comment. Wishing you a chic day!

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