Really resonated with me; the simple joy when kids were small, the slight struggle to please everyone now that they’re grown. I can recommend Slow Seasons by Rosie Steer. Think that she’s also Substack
I no longer have children at home and few people visit in December as my friends and myself prefer to lunch out and leave others to cope with the catering. Which means it is entirely up to me how I decorate the house for Christmas. Gone is the expensive real Christmas tree replaced by a small artificial one, I've stopped producing large fresh foliage displays on the mantlepiece or tabletop on discovering oasis was so environmentally unsound and now aim for simplicity and familiarity instead.
Thank you for the book recommendations. I love Beth Kempton's book and podcast and Winter Solstice is an annual read at the time. I will look at the other books you mentioned. Thank you.
I think that it is empowering to finally do what I want in December. It is such a habit for me to serve others first, leaving me cramming in time at the end of the day. I am finally speaking up about what I want and need to my family. The funny thing is how often they say, "Do what you want, we don't care...we are fine." It's wonderful that you are simplifying the decorations. All I want is a bit of green in each room. Since we have a tiny house, that doesn't feel overwhelming! Enjoy your time and space.😍
Truer words were never spoken. Over the years others have written and I have to agree that often we are our own toughest critic. The little voice inside our head telling us that we have to tend to things, to please and meet the expectations and/or happiness of others - whether it be at home, at work, or with other social contacts. Often we feel that people are observing and/or judging us when in reality most often they are only concerned about themselves. So, People Pleasers, what's the solution, you ask, to which I reply - stop worrying about others (old or young) and just "give yourself permission" to do what you want , to please yourself as priority #1. In other words, enjoy each day as it comes because it passes often too soon, and then is gone forever.
Over the holidays, I leave it to others around me to enjoy house decorating, card giving, gift shopping, party planning, etc. I know that these are activities that they very much enjoy doing and so I know to stay out of their way and just assist when requested. Holidays for me are a time to greatly reduce the pace of daily work, spend more kindle reading time, but still keeping active outside - snow clearing, skiing, taking long walks with others along our neighbourhood walking trails, going to plays/movies, etc.
I enjoyed reading your words, Blythe, especially the part about your boy Ethan receiving a train, with real smoke and a whistle, from Santa. It brought back fond memories of me getting one like that when I was a kid back in the day.
Really resonated with me; the simple joy when kids were small, the slight struggle to please everyone now that they’re grown. I can recommend Slow Seasons by Rosie Steer. Think that she’s also Substack
Thank you for your kind words. It made my day to see your comment. Thanks for the recommendation. I'll check that out!
I no longer have children at home and few people visit in December as my friends and myself prefer to lunch out and leave others to cope with the catering. Which means it is entirely up to me how I decorate the house for Christmas. Gone is the expensive real Christmas tree replaced by a small artificial one, I've stopped producing large fresh foliage displays on the mantlepiece or tabletop on discovering oasis was so environmentally unsound and now aim for simplicity and familiarity instead.
Thank you for the book recommendations. I love Beth Kempton's book and podcast and Winter Solstice is an annual read at the time. I will look at the other books you mentioned. Thank you.
I think that it is empowering to finally do what I want in December. It is such a habit for me to serve others first, leaving me cramming in time at the end of the day. I am finally speaking up about what I want and need to my family. The funny thing is how often they say, "Do what you want, we don't care...we are fine." It's wonderful that you are simplifying the decorations. All I want is a bit of green in each room. Since we have a tiny house, that doesn't feel overwhelming! Enjoy your time and space.😍
"Do what you want, we don't care...we are fine."
Truer words were never spoken. Over the years others have written and I have to agree that often we are our own toughest critic. The little voice inside our head telling us that we have to tend to things, to please and meet the expectations and/or happiness of others - whether it be at home, at work, or with other social contacts. Often we feel that people are observing and/or judging us when in reality most often they are only concerned about themselves. So, People Pleasers, what's the solution, you ask, to which I reply - stop worrying about others (old or young) and just "give yourself permission" to do what you want , to please yourself as priority #1. In other words, enjoy each day as it comes because it passes often too soon, and then is gone forever.
Over the holidays, I leave it to others around me to enjoy house decorating, card giving, gift shopping, party planning, etc. I know that these are activities that they very much enjoy doing and so I know to stay out of their way and just assist when requested. Holidays for me are a time to greatly reduce the pace of daily work, spend more kindle reading time, but still keeping active outside - snow clearing, skiing, taking long walks with others along our neighbourhood walking trails, going to plays/movies, etc.
I enjoyed reading your words, Blythe, especially the part about your boy Ethan receiving a train, with real smoke and a whistle, from Santa. It brought back fond memories of me getting one like that when I was a kid back in the day.