Personally, I can't get anything done when life is cluttered. I think that there is a lot of truth in the saying, tidy house, tidy mind.
In reality, my life isn't like that all the time. I struggle to get things done constantly and find myself exasperated by the mess that seems to pop out from everywhere, usually in my boyfriend Matt's wake.
Before bed, I have a new favourite read before bed right now - it is from the author of 'My Petite Kitchen' Eleanor Ozich and called 'The Art of Simple'. This is her third book and if my sources are correct she used to be a blogger! The book is full of practical tips to de-clutter your life and each page is readable in bite-sized chunks. Haters of Marie Kondo and Gwyneth Paltrow-esque tips about living need not apply (personally, I'm a fan).
I've taken on board quite a bit of the wisdom of this book and I know it is one that I will read again and again. I really can't emphasise enough how much I like it and what a good little household bible it can be. There are recipes for mealtimes and simple ways to make beautiful natural cleaning and beauty products. While I won't be giving up my Margaret Hema skincare anytime soon, it is very inspiring and relaxing to have my your bedside or on your coffee table. Here are some of my favourite ideas - see if you can spot which photo it matches above!
"The Slowness of Tea": The simple task of preparing tea might just be my most treasured morning ritual of all. I like to treat he act of preparing tea as a way of practising mindfulness. Next time you pop the kettle on, relish each step of the process, sip slowly and take time to appreciate the delicious aroma. I enjoy rooibus tea with its soft, caramel flavour; it's lovely with a little honey and a splash of almond milk."
"Simplify: How we keep our home is essentially how we choose to live. I imagine the home to be a celebration of the everyday, a place that strikes the perfect balance between beautiful and practical, with each being an expression of who we are. It's wonderful to own things you love, but by acquiring them sparingly the appreciation if so much more satisfying. Over the past ten years we have moved a number of times, and with each move it felt natural to let go of things that added clutter to our home. I realised I only needed to keep and acquire things that I found very beautiful, that bring immense joy or that are useful on a daily basis. Not only did I find I was able to live without a lot of things, I began to feel much happier, more fulfilled and had a sense of calm that only simplicity can bring...In this chapter I share some ideas to inspire you live with less, and in turn, find joy in so much more."
"Celebrate Your Belongings: Once you've cleared the clutter from your home, you might begin to notice your nicest things more and feel naturally inclined to use them on a daily basis, rather than saving them for a special occasion that might never come. There's no reason why you shouldn't use your best china when you eat your lunch, or feel frivolous if you allow your children to use a linen napkin instead of paper towels. It might even begin to feel like a good idea to slip on that lovely silk dress when you pop down to the local shops. There's so much pleasure to be had in enjoying our most loved items on a daily basis. After all, we deserve to use the best we have."
I am a huge fan of this wisdom and so enraptured am I by this book, I am offering three copies of it to give away. You can win one by:
one by subscribing to my newsletter here and leaving a comment; or
one of two by following me on Instagram and leaving a comment there.
Tell me below if you won the book 'The Art of Simple' why you'd appreciate it and whether you'd keep it for yourself or give it away (and a tip you use to help you in life).