Month: December 2024

Quiet places and soft moments

~ Fridgesays ~ Leave a comment

Quote by Franchella

Warning this post contains joy and indulgence, some readers may be allergic.

It’s blursday, somewhere between Christmas and new year and I’m in front of the fire, snuggled and content. This my wonderful readers is the dream. If you turn on your tv or scroll the web, the commercials will tell you that you need to lose weight and that their product can help, that this year you’ll achieve your dreams…let me share with you a wonderful moment ahead of the glitz of Christmas.

I was sat on my sofa at home, snuggled under a homemade blanket, it was freshly washed (guests due to arrive within twenty four hours) and Mr F bought me a huge mug of hot peppermint tea. It was quiet (an odd occurrence in my home) and I was watching the lights and decorations on our Christmas tree sparkle, the TV was off. The magic of Christmas shouldn’t have begun but my heart felt full. Perhaps it was the anticipation of what was to come or perhaps it was simply perfect.

Over the last few days of Christmas festivities, my Mum mentioned that the highlights of this Christmas were the small things, that in life often pleasure is found in the simple moments. It was a welcome lesson I’ve relearnt many times and always brings me joy. Giggles on a dog walk, a left over sandwich (far superior than the grand meal from the previous day), seeing the sun attempt to shine, thoughtful gifts…simple pleasures, a wink, a smile, a hug.

About a week ago I purchased a pink fluffy jacket for a friend and when it arrived from Vinted I was envious, I tried it on (mistake one) and whilst it was a little big for me it was joyfully snuggly. Mr F thought I’d purchase it for myself and I explained my jealous situation. I couldn’t deny my friend the fluffy joy, but could I deny myself? Then I had a melt down, this isn’t uncommon in my household. Sometimes my princess ways bubble out of control, Mr F said I should just keep it…but my conscious wouldn’t allow it. He asked how much it was – Topshop, £4 and then he said ‘buy yourself another one’…what a man ladies and gentlemen! So I scrolled and I found one in my size with labels for £5…today it arrived and I am wearing the pink fluffy jacket and the goodness continues. My friend and I can now twin and wear them at the same time, we’ll look like giant marshmallows or Care Bears. I don’t feel bad as I didn’t deny her pink fluff joy and I indulged myself so I’m happy too. Where’s this going?

Sometimes a five pound jacket makes you happy, sometimes moments of quiet can refill your cup and soft fabrics can warm your soul…as we head out of blursday and into the new year, be kind to yourself. Eat well but eat happy, look out for glimmer moments that remind you life is good. So many people search for big dreams when I honestly believe peace, warmth and stillness is an achievable dream for us all. If you want to create this dream then vinted have plenty of pink fluffy coats (we can all twin!) …don’t deny yourself small pleasures and don’t underestimate the joy in the quieter moments that life can offer, you just need to be still long enough to enjoy them. Blessings.

In honesty there is love

~ Fridgesays ~ Leave a comment

Quote from fridgesays

You may have material objects and things that bring you joy but do you have honesty?

I’m not talking about honesty with others, I’m not talking about superficial filters on photos or staying faithful in relationships…are you honest with yourself? Do you have integrity within yourself for yourself?

In the last few weeks I learnt an incredible lesson that if you align with what you really want there is love.

It began with a promotion at work. One that I looked upon with ‘want’ and it’s true, I do want promotion but this job sat in another team. I love my current team.

How many people in their forties can honestly say they love their job and every member of the team, over the years I’ve been in a lot of teams in my career who don’t always bring joy …I am truly grateful. I don’t want to leave them.

Anyway, I decided to go for this new promotion and was explaining to Mr F all of the awful reasons it’s not a great job with added sentences of positivity like ‘but I’ll be ok’ and ‘I’ll make it work’ and ‘…I’m sure it’ll work out’ and he said ‘ I don’t think you actually want this job’ and I was angry with him, for no independent woman wants to be told how she feels and he said ‘Are you excited by the role?’ And I didn’t respond. Instead I sat in honesty. Honesty isn’t always comfortable, it’s like a hard chair in a draft. But if you listen and accept honesty, you’ll find she has a cushion or two to lighten the experience…’No…I don’t think I do want this particular promotion’ I whispered from inside myself. Suddenly honestly wasn’t a hard chair, she softened with me and the draft became a warm glow and I reflected on what I did want.

Mr F and I had a cup of tea, ridiculously British but tea fixes all things. We discussed what I did want and as I gave into being honest with myself I felt extremely comfortable and at ease. I know what I want to achieve in 2025 both at work and for my wellbeing beyond the nine to five. As I placed my empty cup on the sideboard, I felt light, at ease and aligned with what I do want.

Since that epiphany, I have felt a warm glow of light surround me. I’ve instantly taken action where I can to align with what I want to achieve and I’ll let the universe work out the details on the rest. I feel loved. Not love for my career or even Mr F (although he’s ok) but love from myself to myself. In truth there is love. Sometimes, the world can tell us that the next step up the ladder is worth taking just because it’s a step higher. I’m here to tell you that there are many ladders in a range of sizes and colours. Not all ladders are born equal and not all ladders do the same job. A window cleaner can’t reach the top floor of a house with a set of kitchen steps and you don’t have to climb any ladder that doesn’t feel safe, after all that’s how we fall.

Instead as the year closes, take inventory of the ladders of your own life. If you have the skills and time to step up in the corporate world, do so. If the staircase at the centre of your home needs a little love, give time to your home life…sometimes we can get caught up playing an actual game of snakes and ladders as adults and the climb doesn’t always mean you win. Sometimes life rolls you a four and down the snake you tumble. We can’t always stop or see snakes approaching but we can decide to climb the ladders or just roll again. Rolling again is often a calmer, slower pace and it’s where I am aligned at present. Above all else, be honest with yourself. Spend time on the goals that serve you and those that are important to you, that’s truly where the love is.