Hi There

I think by now that you may have guessed I have fallen off the 365 project.  This was my second time around participating, the last time I finished and found it quite rewarding to see the year in photos and watch my photography progression. This time round I had lots of enthusiasm for the first half of the year and then I started to loose my mojo.  Things around home required more of my attention and so my desire to take photos disappeared.  I am a little disappointed in myself for not finishing what I started but with my heart no longer in the project I decided to not pursue it for now.  As I type this I am not discounting coming back on a more regular basis to share photos because it makes me happy. And the more I think about it the more I need to do a few more things for myself, things that light me up.  So here is a collection of some photos from the past month.  I hope you enjoy them and I hope to be back again soon.

238-247/365 Food, Friends, Celebrations and Spring

The days seem to get away from me lately.  At this time in my life getting through daily life moments is taking more mental energy from me right now.  Being a mother to my teen daughters and helping them navigate life as well as me working through this new season has brought with it times of change.  Nothing that many other parents haven't faced I am sure but new to me to work through.  For now that seems to be consuming my mind which I am learning to let go off a little each day.  When you are so used to being your child's primary source of many things and then things change, as they should, it takes a period of adjusting.  They seem little for so long but really they aren't and before you know it they are grown with their own opinions and purpose and personality and boy can these new times be fun to watch them explore.  Anyway that's where I have been for a while now, I suppose that may explain my more haphazard blogging.  I know that seasons come and go, and I admit I miss my sweet little ones but life must change and so must they and so must I.  I hope all is well with you.

225-237/365 I think I have caught up??

I am sure that by now anyone that still stops by to catch up on my photos probably doesn't want to, or needs to hear my usual reason for not posting regularly.  My habit of being on the computer each evening has changed and I tend to try and wind down by reading.  I do really like how Foxs Lane posts regularly each week so I am going to give that a go.  I feel like that is probably a better fit for where I am with my routine of life at the moment.  So here is a snapshot of the last couple of weeks around here.  Chat with you again soon in a week, fingers crossed.  May you have a wonderful week. 

 

217-224/365 The week that was

I had all the thoughts about continuing my Well being series but I didn't quite get there.  I actually had a few that I wanted to share with you including the first two photos I took. Firstly my bed and a big bowl of delicious strawberries.  I think that they are both pretty self explanatory but I think they are a big factor in maintaining over all well being.  Sleep is something that I am constantly working on and I don't seem to be very disciplined with.  I really should be getting to sleep much earlier than the 11 pm that I do.  I don't know why I don't get to bed earlier, is it the rebellious me that sees it as a great chance to have some more me time, probably and it's also a bit of a bad habit.  The other big key to well being is also an abundance of fresh food.  Food that is as close to nature that means organic and try to eat a rainbow each day.  You will feel better for it and your body will love you for giving it life force.  The rest of the photos are how my days have looked over the past week.  I hope that you enjoy them and that you have all been keeping well.  Thank you all for stopping by and for those who take the time to comment.  I have been trying to reply to each comment so if you have any questions I am happy to answer them there if you like.

216/365 Computer Free

Like most of us I really love my computer and probably spend too much time on it if I am being honest.  I never used to spend a lot of time on my computer I think once I discovered blogging and then when internet access started to become more affordable then being on the computer weaved it's way into my everyday life.  I don't like the amount of time I spend on the computer and would rather spend more time with my family and being creative and giving my mind some space.  So I have recently, say in the last few months, implemented a computer free day every week.  At first I was just reserving it to instagram but the last couple of weeks I have also added the computer to it.  I still find it a little hard, it's like an itching feeling that you really want to check your phone to see what exciting things have been happening but you can't.  When I do log on Monday morning quite often there isn't anything in particular that has happened that I have missed out on which I knew would happen.  Isn't it interesting these feelings that you have, that technology is designed to make you want to keep looking for the next thing to interest you.  I think in time I will try and reduce the amount of time each day I spend on my computer and still keep the Sunday free, it seems to be working for me.  Do you have a computer/technology free day each week?

215/365 Creating

Another area in my life that I believe contributes to my well being, health and happiness is being creative each day.  It doesn't have to require lots of time set aside, a little each day seems to be enough to give me time to relax and a sense of accomplishment.  I used to find it hard to only do a little bit at a time and could get a little frustrated with how long a project would take to complete.  But I try to remember that a little time on a project each day does add up quickly.  The things that I like to create involve crochet; sometimes sewing; my photography; card making; baking; making home made cleaning products for our home and gardening.  I feel that in each of these areas I am being creative in some form.  Do you carve some time out each day to be creative?

214/365 Meditating

My first introduction to meditating was when I started yoga probably 5 years ago.  My lovely neighbour encouraged me to go along with her and I am so glad I did because I still do yoga.  I didn't meditate at home regularly until last year when I did an online course.  I had read many books that spoke of the benefits of meditation but it was the course that prompted me to form the daily habit.  So I looked on my phone and bought an app that suited me best, found a guided mediation and just started.  It was hard at first making the time in my day but once I found a time that suited me and each day made the effort to meditate it became a habit.  I must confess that since the school holidays I haven't been sitting in my usual spot to meditate.  It is a little cold and I have formed a bad habit of lying in bed and meditating.  The benefits of mediation include reducing stress and anxiety; improves sleep and improves concentration to just name a few. So I will be getting back into a good habit of sitting down in my sacred space to do my meditation because the benefits too important not too.  Do you like to meditate?

213/365 Skincare

I have a very basic skincare routine that I perform each day. Using products with simple, minimal ingredients that are as close to nature as possible.  For me it is important to use organic ingredients, I am very passionate about this. Our skin is our largest organ and I only want organic/natural ingredients being absorbed into my body. So what does my routine look like? In the morning I simply splash my face with cold water, pat it dry, spray some rose water on and add a drop of rosehip oil to my hands and massage into my face.  At night time I use my homemade oil cleanser and a bamboo cloth to wipe my face clean.  It does take some time getting used to an oil cleanser as your face doesn't feel squeaky clean but it does feel lovely and soft.  I again use my rose water as a toner, a drop of rosehip oil and dab it under my eyes and use the other oil to moisturise my face and neck. As a body moisturiser I will often use coconut oil, jojoba oil or a lovely body butter I make. As far as face masks I am not as routine with them but do have a lovely one by Mokosh that I try and use once a month.  Have you tried to make your own face or body products before? Do you have a skincare routine you follow?

212/365 Books and my favourite reading material

When I was young I loved to read.  I remember getting book club at school and the excitement of choosing a book from the catalogue which was a bit of a treat.  As I went through my teenage years I don't recall my love of reading fiction continuing only my love of teen magazines.  As I grew older I continued to read magazines and lacked the commitment to reading a novel.  I'm not sure what started my love of non-fiction books but I am hooked.  It's funny to purposely choose a book to learn from but I feel empowered by what I read.  I love to learn about my physical health and mental health.  I have contemplated doing another degree relating to health but the assignments.... With this new knowledge I share and apply it to my family which they mostly love... As a nice calming routine each evening, 30 minutes before bed, I like to read and sip on a night time herbal tea.  It helps to wind me down and even though I am learning I still feel relaxed.  Do you have a reading routine?  Are you predominately a fiction or non-fiction reader?