hygge

This last week I have been hygge-ing, is that a verb?:-) Candles, baths and lots of stretching, sometimes even stretching twice a day. I've considered learning to meditate. I haven't felt good, and I haven't really felt as though I could 'speak' on social media really either. Everything felt amplified and as though my own voice would even boom back at me. (As this post might). This feels really uncomfortable, and like there is no boundary between my thoughts and the volume of what's happening out there in life. Like they are waves crashing together in a swell. And I do feel both worlds are linked. I think our inner and outer worlds do reflect each other, in the bigger scheme of things. What we see and notice is a reflection of what's inside us at some level, even if it's an outdated view or something buried in our layers of human consciousness or something we don't want to own.

I don't want to be cut off from what's happening either. We're all experiencing this together. Which is why I've found it important to consciously choose when I can, what to allow in. I stopped watching the long news articles a few weeks ago. The headlines find their way through anyway. For me it has been a case of riding those mass thought waves that are out there, that I cannot fail to experience, because they are out there and at the same time trying to stay peaceful and not add anymore vitriol to it. I think whether we live in the USA or not the powerful feelings arising are being felt by all of us, even unconsciously. Whether we agreed with the outcome or not, the stirring of energy is huge. The thing is whatever my present state is, very much affects how things roll at home and I need to keep things here as clear as possible.

People are feeling moved in big ways to make things different. This will be the beginning of an interesting time. There is still a lot of good out there and I think today at least, self-care is right up there in flashing lights.

So I just need gentle, gentle, gentle. This Hygge book came at just the right time. I brought it in my local book shop, which I have discovered again. I had a real dilemma over choosing which Hygge book I would buy. I chose this one for the words, because I really did want to learn more about it, but I was so drawn to another, really just for the pictures, the kind of pictures that made my heart spark with that good feeling of some old and forgotten memory of people gathering together in warmth and joy. How can a picture do that?...reach right in and touch something inside, amazing. So I know I need more of that in my life, and you know I'm probably going to buy that book too....! I know I am all about the words and also all about the pictures too. That's why I like blogging:-)

    ♥

(ps. I've forgotten which the other book was, but I will show you if (when!) I get it).

fairy lights, stretching and movement

Oh yes, I still need my fairy lights for these dark winter nights. These vintage lights give a lovely soft glow, such a brilliant invention. They are quite old now, I love them.

I have been doing my daily stretching on the mat here in front of them. Lets see, I am at day seven. I'm starting to feel a bit looser and have began to work through the initial stiffness that immediately appeared in several places!

It tends to be in the evening. I'm remembering how it feels to stretch out and move in a certain way. For me movement is the answer. I need this. I know how important it is to stretch and rotate all the joints. Keep things moving. Stay supple. I just do it in my own way. A combination of things I have studied. I would call it more like a gentle stretching and movement meditation, with a bit of self Shiatsu thrown in for good measure.

I really admire how in the Oriental culture gentle movement is practiced everyday. I love the fact that even the older people will go out into the parks and practice. They know how important it is. It is what everyone does. Our culture tends to just stop moving.

I remember on a trip to Edinburgh watching a group of older Chinese people stop and go through their routine in the city park one morning. They just chose their own spot and started to gently move in a meditative way that would probably be known as Tai chi. I was quietly watching, in the distance. Once they had left I went and stood in that spot and thought how inspired I felt to move the way they did, how easy it looked. For me I would have felt self-conscious there, but for them it was a totally normal occurrence.

I want to be able to stretch and move everyday. Of all the inspiring stories I have read from older people who are living interesting and happy lives, they all have in common the fact that they practice some kind of body movement. They have kept moving and practicing, as well as engaging and connecting with life!

Please join me if you want to. You can make it up! See what stretches your body feels like doing. Give yourself some space and listen. Just move slowly and gently of course.

♥

sunset

4.20 pm

Okay, here's the after dinner plan.

Light the wood burner, make tea. Put on comfy trousers. Switch off all media. Not the wifi, because lets face it with a teenager in the house that's not going to happen.

In this warm cosy nest that I have made myself I'm going to lie on that comfy mat and stretch myself out, gently and breathe. I am going to find my way towards some December self-care.

What is it about these dark December evenings of electric lights and media? that makes me feel so, what's the word. Wired? Is it the wifi?....we probably shouldn't start on that. That could be a whole other topic.

Okay, comfy mat, here I come. Have a good evening.

♥