Escaping Cabin Fever

This morning I woke to birds singing and the peaceful sound of rain against my window pane. If I allow myself to daydream I can feel spring trying to ease her way back to the frosty Netherlands that Columbia County has turned into. I am pretty sure that we have had a winter more bitter cold than Alaska this year! I miss taking winter walks, snow-tubing or enjoying the outdoors, period. But with temperatures in the teens if not less, it makes for a long winter indoors and the perfect equation for cabin fever.

Trying to remain sane and positive, this time of year is perfect for focusing on our home and ourselves. I enjoy creating a home that feels like comfort. A sanctuary that speaks to my eclectic soul with bohemian and earthy touches. This past year I accumulated so much hodgepodge and items I thought I needed. I started to feel a bit claustrophobic so I started to purge, which I mentioned in my last article. It is so therapeutic to let go of what no longer serves purpose. If you feel like items are not adding beauty to your home or they are bringing your energy down, its time to donate them. Or toss them. After my great purge, I can truly say that my senses can relax a bit more. My home still showcases all that I love, just with much less clutter and clean open space. I did add some nice touches to my home that bring warmth and comfort. I like to think outside of the box when it comes to decor. Getting creative is perfect for days that we are stuck inside and we have a little more time on our hands. And it is the simple things that, when work out perfectly, bring me the greatest joy! Like my new hanging star lantern lamp that adds enough light so that my son can see while playing with his toys in the living-room and I can enjoy the exotic beauty it brings to my favorite corner of my home.

 

It is so beautiful and a great find. Handcrafted in India, super easy to put together and at $10.95 (plus the cord and bulb which was an additional $13.20), it was a must have!

Doing little things like this bring me such joy. I also treat myself to coffee made in my stove top peculator, writing in my journal, painting with my son, dancing to our favorite tunes. Along the lines of treating myself, lets get into focusing on our skin. These harsh winter days have been brutal on the skin. So while I am stuck indoors, why not have a home spa day. You do not need to break the bank on expensive skin care products. A simple face mask from the drugstore will do or you can create your own by combining 3 Tbsp rolled oats (ground into flour) + 1 Tbsp honey + 1/2 Tsp turmeric + some fresh lemon juice. Mix them together and leave on your face for 15-20 minutes. Rinse and pat dry. This mask will chase away the winter blues and bring out your inner glow! Just be sure to stick to the turmeric measurements. I added more and had to scrub my face which had an orange glow to it for days! It wasn't the glow I was going for! And since I am a sucker for anything lavender or herb related, I couldn't help "splurging" on this new find I came across as I was grocery shopping. Aside from the fact that it smells heavenly, the name is my vibe and the design is a bonus too: Love Beauty and Planet - Argan Oil & Lavender. At $6.99 a piece it might be a little pricey but well worth it!

And this my friends is my advice for getting through these next few months! Have faith, spring is near. Get your craft on or do whatever it is that will nurture your restless soul. Relax and take pleasure in these lazy winter months. Allow your body to go with the flow. Before you know it our schedules will be filled with spring and summer activities.

xo
Carla

Ground Work

 I decided to start this new year with a different approach. As each new year approaches we create a new list of goals to achieve. Some we get to cross off during the year, but I think for most, we end up ending the year looking over our goals and feeling a sense of disappointment. So this year, I came across an entirely different approach from the book Eat Pretty Every Day by Jolene Hart.

Instead of settling on a resolution or a challenge for yourself, pinpoint a single word that describes how you want to feel. I absolutely love this idea. For me, I personally want to feel more grounded and centered. Life can get crazy and often times I feel like I am living its coattails, hanging on and burning the candle from both ends. I want to be able to enjoy the good times, breathe it in and soak up the memories to relive them over and over. Thankfully I am avid in taking photos, because with my over active life I tend to just move from one moment to the next not taking the time to truly process or take in the realness of it. 

So how I can I achieve the feeling of being grounded and centered?

For one, I have started close to comfort: home. This is my sanctuary. Coming home to a place of disarray or cluster can cause my soul to feel unnerved. I am practicing the art of less is more. So little by little I have started to purge and let go of what serves little to no purpose. This goes for clothing I haven't worn within the past year or décor that doesn't truly fit my taste or serve a purpose. I want my home to showcase only items that hold memories or conjure a sense of comfort.

Next on my way of feeling grounded is: food. I am not going to get into the ever popular new year resolution of dieting and losing weight. Let me be quiet honest here, I love food. And that is okay, in fact it is great. But I have started to have a relationship with my body and listening to what it craves. Intentional eating. If I truly listen to my inner self, what I crave most is food that not only nourishes my body but my soul as well. Real food, food that is close to its truest form. Vegetables, grains, fruits and proteins. Sticking to this method of eating leaves my body feeling cared for and also allows me to cut the chord of putting a restraint on my diet. Always follow your gut and of course your smarts. You know what is good and bad for your body. On a personal note, I have taken to truly looking at myself in the mirror and showing myself love when I feel less. It's so easy to love others, putting yourself first has always been a hardship for me. It goes hand in hand with what we feed ourselves, physically and mentally.

Next on my list is: nature. It is so hard to be outdoors this time of year. And this year especially with our deep freeze. The other day I was simply walking to my car and I looked up at this beautiful pine tree covered in snow and the crisp winter breeze brushing my hair back. It made me realize how much I missed the outdoors and how blessed we are to have this beautiful landscape with its breathtaking art each season. I get so wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of life that I tend to forget to stop, breathe and look around. To stand still. I miss my walks in the woods, the sound of silence other than nature. Nature has always been my outlet. It has always provided me comfort and clarity. Most of my most cherished memories with my son and loved ones have taken place on a hike or enjoying some activity outdoors. Embrace what we have here in Columbia County. Once the temperatures are bearable, bundle up, take a walk. Find one of our local conservancies. Allow your soul to reground and decompress.

I wish each of your a wonderful 2018. This year find something that speaks to your soul. Indulge in a new hobby. Love yourself. And those around you. Find your vibe.

xo