THE EDIT: What I Learnt This Month
Welcome to THE EDIT of #WILTW. I hope it has some bits of interest for you. Any recommendations or thoughts on what you would like to see in coming weeks, then just let me know in the comments below.
It’s finally February my beauties. Thank goodness I say. It felt like a whole season in a month. But in saying that, it was kinda nice to just feel that time of quiet and cosy and not doing much, especially after the Christmas and New Year madness.
January is historically the season for all things resolutions. Have you made any vows to yourself this year? I’m not a huge fan of new years resolutions per se, but I don’t think we should overlook the scope for a fresh start and thinking about the things that make us happy or could make us happier.
My writing is a big goal for this year, so I guess we are already on the right track. But if you want to read a piece I wrote a few January’s ago, about how to use this time for good, then check it out here.
I think the greatest lesson I have learnt over the past few years, together with thought stopping, is to be in the PRESENT moment.
A lot of people who have any investment in mental health and general well-being, talk about this now, and if you practice any form of mindfulness or mediation then this is something that you may be aware of.
For beginners, the practice of being present is not something just for yogi masters. It is simply being aware of your thoughts, but being grounded in the here and now. It is noticing how the mind jumps from the past to the future, in the blink of an eye and that we are rarely just enjoying and savouring the moment we are in. Rather we are in a stressed out anxious spin.
If you’re in the past then you’re likely chewing over past events or regrets. If you’re in the future then you may be thinking many ‘What if’s’ or the things the COULD happen, or COULD go wrong. Maybe you have a social event you’re worried about, or you forgot to sort the kids sport kit this morning so you’re feeling guilty. Whatever it may be, there is a good chance that your mind is so preoccupied with what’s been and what could be, that you pay absolutely not attention to the moment you’re in. And this present moment could actually be a happy one.
This busy and distressing state of mind is so common. But its exhausting. Without doubt, the peace comes from the present moment. If you are not in the present moment then you are missing all the joy of the right now.
If you spend a lot of your time worrying, then mindfulness is something that you will surely benefit from. Great basics and learning can be found in Ruby Wax’s Books. But in the interim you can ground yourself in a few ways just by using your senses and your breath.
Concentrate on:
- A sound you can hear
- An object you can see
- An item or thing you can feel.
Keep your focus here for as long as you can and breathe deeply. The longer you can keep your attention here the better.
Just notice what’s going on around you in the here and now. Absorb the surroundings and feel your feet on the floor. That is the present moment.
The easiest grounding of all is to bring your attention to your breath. Take slow breaths in and out. Concentrate your attention on that breath and allow your thoughts to flow back and forth without force. Continue to breathe in and out for a while.
Something I also do, which helps a lot, is to remind myself when my mind is jumping back and forth, is that there is NOTHING positive to be gained from worrying about the past or the future. And to remind myself that only in those moments where my mind is on the job or in the moment, in the conversation or the scene that I am in, am I my true self and able to be me without anxiety or fear.
Eckhart Tolle was the force behind the book, The Power of Now. Which goes into the real nitty gritty of living a life in the present moment and savouring those moments. Check out his book if you feel this is something you want to know more about.
Animal print is the ‘thing’ of the moment. I don’t think it ever really went out of style but the print is literally everywhere from handbags, to shirts to slip skirts and dresses. And it shows no signs of going anywhere soon. Its being toted as a ‘neutral’ in your wardrobe, similar to black, white or grey. And it goes with pretty much anything else in your wardrobe.
Realisation Par brought out the animal print satin slip skirt which became a bit of an iconic piece last summer. The Naomi Skirt. The slip skirt can be teamed with your favourite sweater or cami, but this is a pretty striking look for the day to day so you may want to save it for a special occasion. I’ll link some dupes down below.
If you don’t want to go full on animal print, then it is possible to add it in more subtle ways if, like me, you like a mostly black wardrobe.
My picks this week:
Top Shop Boots (now reduced
Becoming the person you want to be.
Have you ever thought what would happen to your life, if you stepped into becoming the person you always wanted to be? Or maybe it’s the person you used to be? I read this, this week and thought it was kinda life-changing. So many things hold us back in life, not least, ourselves. So, if we dropped the ‘fear’ or whatever else is holding us back, then maybe we could be THAT person.
So, Let’s try this…
If I were a _______ (e.g. kind, happy, fearless, successful, loving of self) person already, how would I behave?
You have to:
- Envisage it.
- Feel it.
- Set your intention each morning with it.
- End your day with it.
So we have to really think and feel and BEHAVE as the person we want to be, WITHOUT whatever it is that holds us back. If the thing that holds us back, is not there, then we really become that person. So we act as though we’re already the ______ person we dream of and then we witness how our world changes.
Even though at times I may be fearless, I know a lot of the time the final parts to moving forward, are stopped by FEAR. So I’m going to try this out this week and see how the world changes.
I hope you try too. Let’s report back next week.
I’m addicted to beauty products. It’s not something I hide from. I openly admit it. I embrace it. It doesn’t really matter whether its makeup or skincare or hair care, it all gets me a little bit excited. Anything to make this 45 year old, old bird, look even a little bit perkier, is fab in my book.
This week I wanted to tell you about a skin saviour that I have used faithfully for the past few years. It’s the PAI BioRegenerate Rosehip Oil. I suffer with dehydrated and sensitive skin, but this oil is suitable for everyone and any skin type. It was formulated for sensitive skins including those with problematic skin conditions like ezcema. It’s full of omegas and soothes and softens the skin, it helps cell renewal and targets discolouration, age spots and scars. It can’t also be used on the body, hands. Wherever your skin needs hydration. I can’t be without it and in these winter months where skin can look a bit dry, grey and dehydrated then this is a hero product.
Its the final step in my skincare regime, that I do every night. I cleanse and tone and moisturise and then apply 3 or 4 drops of oil. The skin feels quenched and more glowy immediately and over time it definitely helps with a more radiant complexion. I also find the whole application is something so calming and grounding. So if you’re feeling stressed out, taking some time for yourself at the end of the day is a wonderful thing. I look forward to my nightly pamper. Its a bit of you time and does wonders for your skin.
If I have done my makeup and my skin looks dry or dull because of the formula of makeup I’ve used, or it may just be a really dehydrated day, then I take a small amount in my hands and press into the skin on top of the makeup. It works wonders.
Get yours here. And do check the whole Pai Skincare range as its beautiful. I’ve used the whole range at different times and loved it all. It’s slightly more pricey but worth every penny in my book.
I can do an updated skincare post of you would like. With all the products I use. Leave me a comment below and Ill get so it.
I do LOVE me some Instagram. I’m forever scrolling and finding new inspiration from fashion bloggers to interiors and small indie shops.
My #SHOUTOUT this week has to be our girl, Sophie Rae at RIPPLE_LIVING in Cardiff. Sophie has literally changed the way Cardiff peeps are shopping with the launch of Wales’ first zero waste store, based in Roath in the heart of Cardiff. Not only is the store the first of its kind and stocked to the brim with so much delicious merchandise, it truly is a revolution. Every day more and more people turn up at her door with their empty jars ready to eco-fill. Whether it’s porridge oats, delicious spices, every type of soap, fab clothing, gifts and home wares or the famous freshly ground nut butter. Ripple is really turning the people of Cardiff into the greatest of eco warriors.
Sophie started with a kickstarter campaign in the autumn last year and its been a whirlwind journey ever since. Watching her journey is just incredible. She has worked so hard for the passion project and I’m so happy to see that it is coming to life in ways that no-one could have ever imagined. Go Sophie! May the success just continue to grow and grow.
I’ve got a new book that I’m about to start. ‘Everything I know about Love’ by Dolly Alderton. It’s had rave reviews and the first few chapters have been so nostalgic and there’s a real warmth and humour in her writing.
I’ve been a long-time fan of poet, writer and civil rights activist, Dr Maya Angelou. Her poetry and writings really do resonate with my soul.
But it’s watching her speak and listening to her words and profound messages, that bring me the most comfort and joy.
She just has an incredible way about her. A way that makes you listen and take heed.
There’s a whole catalogue of interviews you can watch with her on YouTube, but my favourite is her words “Be A Rainbow in Somebody Else’s Cloud” that are just beautiful.
I’ve been blessed to have many rainbows in my clouds; my Mother, my Grandmother and my Sister, to name only a few. But if you can BE a rainbow in somebody else’s cloud, well that to me, is everything. That is what it’s all about. Bring sunshine to someone’s life, lift them up, cheer them on, just offer a kind word. That’s all it takes.
What’s coming up this week?
I’m going to really try and stick with some of my goals for the year. I’ll do a post on them in the next few weeks. One of the goals is to do more of this – writing. And planning too.
I also want to make sure I get out of the house a few times. It may seem like nothing, but for me, getting to the supermarket or out for a coffee or a bit of shopping, is a huge deal.
I’m setting intentions each day. I read my goals for the year and my things I need to do each week. I meditate. This sets me up for the day. I am also trying to get dressed and with a bit of makeup on each day. Again, this at one time would not be anything to celebrate, but chronic illness makes the smallest things, big wins. So that’s all i’m aiming for this week.
I really hope you enjoyed this weeks EDIT. I’m totally winging it and playing around with this content and open to suggestions. I’m sure it will change and I’ll add different themes and as the weeks go by and I’m sure it will find its natural flow. But please leave comments below on things you would like me to include.
Have a great week my loves.
Remember and never forget how amazing you are.
Onwards always,
Kiki x
Go to the About Me page for my latest life update.
