How to be Chic: Values

Showing posts with label Values. Show all posts

Friday, April 10, 2020

30 Chic Days at Home - Day 21 - Make Do and Mend

Image: Georgia de Lotz, Unsplash

Something that never fails to buoy my spirits is to do some mending. Even one item helps! Today I sewed a button back onto a shirt, but the fabric was ripped underneath, so I had to patch that then sew the button on top. It had been hanging on the back of the door for many, many weeks, ironed and ready to go except for this button. I just did it now and it took about ten minutes. *Ten minutes.* And that includes re-threading my sewing machine with white cotton. Why wait so long, Fiona?

Not only do I have a door that is 'clear' now: no shirt hanging on it, but there is an extra, wearable shirt in the closet. It feels great to get things done, and I find that often it's the littlest things that make the biggest difference.

We might not have any control over the world currently (or any time really, when you think about it), but we can control our own home. We have to make do right now, and it's strangely satisfying, don't you think? Substituting ingredients and coming up with new favourite recipes out of necessity?

It feels good to mend too. For many items it's not an option to buy a replacement at the moment, but even in normal times I love to mend something if possible. It just feels good. And apparently it's green!

Tomorrow I'm going to choose one more thing to mend. I have quite the pile, you see. Some mending, some ambitious remodelling. Do you have a mending pile usually? All up to date now? I hope to join you in completion by the end of lockdown :)

xx Fiona

~~

You can find me here too:

Free writer’s encouragement

Thursday, April 9, 2020

30 Chic Days at Home - Day 20 - Be a Bright Spark

Image: Clem Onojeghuo, Unsplash

I've gone from someone who very rarely watches the news, to now being in situ on the couch at 6pm for the latest updates, as well as checking in online throughout the day. It's only natural to want to keep fully abreast, but I think... I've been overdoing it. I have overdosed on scary news.

My different tack, which feels much better, is to definitely still keep in touch with what's going on. After all, it's likely the biggest situation we'll ever encounter in our lifetime (hopefully there is nothing bigger at any stage.) But also to keep looking forward. Being a bright spark in my own day as well as for others.

I'm not really helping the collective morale by talking over and over about all the sad and scary things going on. Instead, I thought, why not be a bright spark? A bright spark is kind and thoughtful, and finds the positive in things. They lift others and themselves up with good energy. They find a new way to bring cheer every day.

How I plan to be a bright spark is nurture myself and those close to me in simple and free ways, just as I'm sure you are. With connection, love, and sharing in new and fun ways. Not feeling bad about the amount I'm eating. Enjoying the memes that are going around. Taking refuge in good books and having a high level of appreciation for essential workers.

I get the easy job, I get to stay home. I work from home already. I don't have any children to home-school and I don't have to check in with a boss. It might be a rash decision :) but how I can be a bright spark is to post daily until we are through this thing. It's the least I can do and I know from many of you who have commented, messaged and emailed me that it helps. A small help in the scheme of things, but useful at least.

I know that you are already a bright spark for your loved ones, whether you live with them or not. You are holding everything together and hopefully looking after yourself as well.

Be well.

xx Fiona

~~

You can find me here too:

Free writer’s encouragement

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

30 Chic Days at Home - Day 6 - Keep in Touch with Technology

Image: Heather Ford, Unsplash

In the blog comments yesterday, Juhli said "Don't forget the health benefits of still connecting often with others. They need it too". I had this point on my ideas list for this series, so I thought I'd bring it forward to be today's post.

In the past week I started thinking about people I wanted to keep in touch with. It wasn't a conscious decision, but something that came about organically because of our changed circumstances. Some people on my list I talk to regularly, and some I haven't for a long time. But at times like this you want to check in with people. I've already spoken on the phone to two elderly family members who don't live near me, and I have others to contact, some by phone and some by email who are overseas. It's just nice to say 'I've been thinking about you' and it feels good to have a little catch up.

I also thought of using Facetime (or other video chat services and apps that are available) to have a coffee date or glass of wine with a friend. That would be quite fun, no? Meeting at 3pm or 5pm with a hot or cold drink and a chat for half an hour? With video it gives you a reason to put a pretty top on and do your hair and it really feels like you are with that person. But you're still self-isolating :)

So today I'm going to add to my list of people to keep in touch with, and go through it one by one over the coming weeks. There are actually a lot of really nice side effects to this dreadful crisis, and one of them is the increased connection. I've heard of people helping others in supermarket queues (holding their place if they've forgotten something) and being kinder and more forgiving to one another in general.

May it continue long after we all get back to our normal lives!

Let me know if you have a to-contact list too.

xx Fiona

~~

You can find me here too:

Free writer’s encouragement