Simple Ideas for a Rich Life : January

You may not feel rich this January, having spent a small fortune on Christmas but it is indeed a month that contains many riches. Not least that after such excess in every way we do turn to simpler things; simpler food, pastimes even simpler thoughts and these are of value precisely because of their simplicity almost as if they allow us to breathe again.

So this January why don’t you enrich your life and  …..

Count your blessings

I pinched this ideas from my lovely fried Cass at Diary of a Frugal Family . What could be sweeter and simpler than sitting with your family and naming each and every blessing. The children wrote these on post its and kept going till they had filled a door. Then they read their blessings out loud to us and told us why they were thankful for each and everyone. Beautiful moments.

Declutter

January is of necessity a leaner month than most. We have less money, we have over indulged and we are ready for simpler days. Quiet weekends, decluttering our home of too much ‘stuff’ allows us to strip back on the materialism and create some physical and emotional peace in our homes and hearts.

Eat Simply

Once the last mince pies and after eight mints have been hoovered up we have probably had enough. January is a time for simple food, for using our leftovers, meal planning  and being   healthier. It’s a new slate for our nutrition, out with all the sugar rushes and the food waste lets be kinder to our bodies and to our pockets.

 

Reflect and plan

Christmas probably bought a few old friends and family events and do’s hectic happy times I hope. January is time to rest and reflect. What do you really want form this year. It’s easy to jump in and say oh I’m going to lose weight be more organised/socialise more but why not instead give ourselves space to wonder.

Why not plan in a walk or two or a journal date with ourselves to set one or two goals that really resonate with your heart. Maybe this is the year for an extraordinary resolution. Or perhaps you want to listen to music more maybe 1/2 more a week just you and your tunes. Reflect on what will best enhance your life.

Read Well

Hunkering down on a frosty evening with a good book and a mug of hot chocolate is one of my  life’s true delights. I have read my fare share of chick lit since becoming a mum but this Christmas time I have been re-inspired. One of my favourite Christmas gifts was this box of One Hundred Writers in One Box: Postcards from Penguin Modern Classics. I have read probably 1/5th of the authors included but oh how inspired I feel to read them all. I am setting myself a challenge to read them all. I think this will take about 4 years if I read a book a month. what an absolute treat of a journey I will be on.

The first book I have ordered is this one by Carson Mccullers and it cost me just £3 from Amazon but I am excited…whole new worlds in new books.

I wish you a beautiful month full of splendid, simple things and do share with me any simple ideas for a rich life that you have too.