peace

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.

Each morning peace knocks at your door in the form of choice

~ Fridgesays ~ Leave a comment

Quote taken from a meme and adapted

When I first saw this meme it made me pause from the whirling, hectic pace of life. Not many things do that, as I thought about it more – that we can make choices and that whilst many things are done to us, we do get to decide how we react to them, I found great power in this concept.

I use the word ‘concept’ as we are often programmed to react and whilst we have a choice our subconscious kicks in and we react to old patterns of behaviour like familiar winter coats, even though the coat doesn’t fit any longer or serve us in the moment – we keep wearing it.

One of the ways I have chosen to ‘choose peace’ is by taking a couple of minutes in bed in the morning before getting out. To not fall into the day and let it absorb me but to take a moment to step back (or in my case, snuggle down) and consciously step into my day, deciding how I’m going to feel. I will always choose peace.

If you can find moments to step back, moments to not speak and to let silence do the work for you, peace can follow. That said, leaving your subconscious reactions behind takes the work of a Jedi and I’m certainly no expert. Pausing takes practise and perhaps that’s part of the game of life.

There are however a handful of quick wins that you can use if you need a little more peace…

  • Book some time in your week, it could be a bubble bath, but it doesn’t need to be that complex…take half an hour and just sit
  • Review your tribe. Spend time with people that fill your cup with joy. If that isn’t possible, then make sure you minimise interactions or go into scenarios with toxic people being kind to yourself
  • Catch yourself: currently I’m playing this game where I step out of myself to listen to the ridiculous argument myself and my family are having. If I can reduce an argument about putting socks in the laundry basket by five minutes, we all win
  • Seek peace; make time to walk in nature, get outside, hug a tree, walk – whatever makes you feel centred and solid

The last tip is to live this quote on a daily cycle…keep choosing peace until it becomes your subconscious setting. I’m not sure how long this takes, but I have a feeling that just stepping nearer to a peaceful life is a worthy endeavour.

Peace comes from within…

~ Fridgesays ~ Leave a comment

 What a terrible reflection in this picture? So sorry. This quote is from Buddha.

When I wake up late, the toast burns, the traffic lights take forever to change to green and my day generally collapses into a pile of chaos…peace is hard to imagine, let alone re establish.

Many gurus in motivation and life coaches suggest that your morning routine is the most important of the day, it sets you up – although I agree, I’m not sure many of them have a toddler in tow, a nursery bag to pack, coats to grab (or not, I always forget my own) and of course the most essential meal of the day – which I call the ‘ram it in and run’ meal, I have heard people also refer to it as breakfast.

My mornings are precious and regular readers will know I’m partial to waking before the birds to catch my breath, a yoga session or just to walk around the house giving order to objects and in turn order to my day.

However my favourite ritual is what I’m doing as I write this post – Sunday evenings.

It is precious.

First, I walk the dog – alone (as in, not with a toddler), nature and walking is good for my soul. I then come home to help pop a little man in to his PJ’s and settle him for the night – next is bath time, mummy style.

For me, there HAS to be posh bubbles and classic fm blaring, the water has to be so hot my skin is pink, no toys insight – the rubber duck who use to keep me company is now strictly for toddler tides.

My only other essential is some sort of facial ‘treat’, it could be mask, new exfoliator or cleanser.

Tonight Mr Fridge came up trumps – a knock and glass of red wine was delivered…win!

 Then it’s downstairs for some blogging, Twitter action and general wind down / social media time and lastly I paint my toes red.
I’ve been a red chick on my tootsies since I was 13yrs old, all seasons – no excuses and the polish has to be high brand…OPI coca cola is my current favourite.

 Not long after the paint is dry am I ready for a good book before I close my eyes and the chapter of the weekend comes to a close, I’m fighting fit ready for the week ahead.
This is my ‘peace’ perhaps cliche but a bubble bath and ‘me’ time is how I control the rest of the week – I set the tone and it comes from within.

How do you find peace? (Remember it’s important that you make time for yourself, as much as you make time for your children’s pack lunch boxes or paying those horrible bills…make time, you’re worth it)