Ok this year has been tough due to the recession and some people have had their circumstances changed more unfairly than others. However I wanted to write something positive to highlight the golden moments that I've gleamed from this last year and what I personally have received from having to be more resourceful with a lot less.
I would also like to ask you to use this as an opportunity to dig within and to look at what treasure you yourself have dug up within seemingly difficult times. I would love it if you posted your comments below about what you've found out this year and we can all learn from each other. Although on La Luminata we write a lot about cool eco things to buy, it's also about being smart, intelligent and savvy with what you already have.
Number One on my list is friendship. I have really found out who is a good friend to me, whether I've needed a pep talk, a hug, a cup of tea, some advice or even a night out, I would have been lost without my friends both old and new who have supported me throughout this year. It's also made me realise how important these friendships are to me and that nothing makes you feel quite as great as people who love you for who you are.
Number Two I would say...is that I've realised just what you can achieve with very little resourses...just a good idea, a lot of energy and the courage of your convictions. I'll say no more.
Number Three is that I've made friends with the kitchen recently, which I've always found an intimidating place until now. But my new gung-ho attitude seems to be paying off. I have been making gorgeous soups which are quick and easy to make from the BBC website and experimenting more with in-season local vegetables to boost our immune systems through winter. I've also been learning more about raw food which is so good for the body and I've become quite addicted to raw chocolate truffles which are actually healthy! I've also been getting friendly with various ingredients in my kitchen as beauty products. For example, using virgin organic coconut oil to restore my very damaged hair, which has worked a treat and left me with healthy shiny locks.
Number Four is doing less. Yes really. I always used to feel like I needed to go/see/do absolutely everything and in the meantime completely tire myself out with exhaustion. Now I'm a lot more selective and often prize spending an evening in watching a moving film than spending money in bars and clubs for the sake of it. When I go out now it feels like a real occasion and something that I look forward to.
Number Five is crafts. Thanks to a number of customizing websites, blogs and magazines I have rediscovered my own inner fashion designer and have been sewing buttons and fringing onto clothing, not to mention the amazing vintage and charity shop finds which I have come across. I recently purchased a floor length turquoise dress for £12 from Traid and with a bit of alteration I know that I will be the envy of Christmas parties everywhere! Best of all, no one else will have the same dress.
Number Six is using organic products. Where I've saved money on clothing, customizing and by walking everywhere, I have spent money on organic and ethical skincare because what you put onto your skin is absorbed by the body and this can have a knock-on effect years later. So I put total importance on buying the best products that I can possibly afford for my skin, hair and body. Not forgetting mineral cosmetics because with products this good, there's really no reason to be using anything that contains chemical ingredients.
Number Seven is shunning the high street completely during this unsteady time and instead investing my money in small businesses with strong ethics. This year I will be buying all of my Christmas presents from local crafts people in Sussex and not only do I help them to grow their business, but I get to give ethical, handmade, thoughtful and original gifts to the people I love. Beat that 2 for 1 gifts at Boots!
Number Eight is to recycle. Now I've been doing this for a long time anyway but what I really mean is to not throw things into the recycling bin automatically and instead look at the whole way in which you consume and re-use your items. For example, envelopes and jiffy bags get reused instead of being thrown away, glass jars and bottles can be reused for storing food/products/pens, etc. Vegetables are never taken to the checkout in individual plastic bags and I always try to buy things with as little packaging as possible (seriously, what's our obsession!) It's all about being resourceful and creative in every area of your life. For some inspiration look here.
Number Nine is to Look within. Now I don't mean this in a kind of misguided hippy sentimental way, but seriously we are constantly made to feel by the media that we don't have enough and aren't good enough unless we buy this or that or do this or that. That we can never be thin enough, rich enough, sexy enough, cool enough to be happy and this is such a silly fabricated lie. So this year I have become totally connected with myself through writing, exercise, eating well and meditation. And you know what, I've decided that I'm absolutely fine as I am. It's about listening to your inner thought patterns, turning off the negative critics in your mind and learning to love the person that you are today, flaws and all. It's amazing how much more successful, sexier and vibrant you become (and seem to others) when your at peace within your mind and heart. Life is beautiful.
Number Ten is Kindness and compassion. It's free, it makes you feel amazing and it brings so many wonderful experiences to you. So many people seem to have forgotten the simple act that a few kind words or a smile to a stranger can make. If there's one thing that you change about yourself, this is the best one. Kindness and giving to another human being, an animal or even a plant will make your heart expand enormously, there really is nothing better.
Very inspiring post! I agree with alot of what you have said...
Thanks so much...it came from the heart!
Hi, your webpage appears to be quite artistic in its style.