Sharing inspirations for holidays and every day

Christmas and New Year mark our lifetime in a more profound way than any other holidays. This is the time when most of us pause all frantic activities, re-evaluate and plan.

Therefore, it is a good time for inspiration and learning.

Below I have compiled some of my recent inspirations. I hope that you find them useful in preparing for your own holidays.

A week ago, I discovered a new YouTube channel, Picking up limes, dedicated to “foodies, minimalists, travellers and all beautiful souls”.

The creator of the channel, Sadia, promises “a calm and relaxing space with … videos that help to nourish the cells and the soul.” I watched many of the videos and believe that Sadia delivers on her promises. 

You could also visit her website. I am looking forward to some free time to read the blog and dive into Sadia’s recipes.  

Update: I made these Sadia's pancakes last night and they turned out pretty good. I did not have buckwheat flour, instead, used whole wheat flour. I also used water instead of plant-based milk and sprayed my pan with olive oil instead of using coconut oil.

 
How to keep relaxed and calm, and yet have amazing holidays? 

Maybe we should all introduce some hygge into our holidays. Here is the advice of Jenny Mustard on how to celebrate Christmas in hygge style:

 

I am aesthetically and visually driven person.  Looking at creative arrangements and decorations for the holidays inspire me and allow me to bring more energetic spirit into my house, break the monotony of our everyday routine.

Here are three blogs that are a feast for the senses and might inspire you to put together an unexpected background for the seasonal celebrations:

Liiv blog

Hof 9

@mycasa

Loreta blog 

Dishfunctional Designs
 
What are the holidays without the warmth and enticing aromas of baked dishes, cookies and breads?

I am not a fan of sugar or any cakes, but this gorgeous gingerbread village cake presentation inspired me to concoct my own version of a minimal-sugar cake. 

I am planning on using two layers of my banana brownie recipe and a raspberry-coconut filling to "build" my own Christmas cake.

 

If the result is good, I will share the exact recipe.  Meanwhile, why not invent your own cake recipe, or maybe re-invent an old favorite recipe, in which you substitute the unhealthy ingredients with healthy ones?


I will also try these oat cookies on one of my days off, and maybe surprise my family with some almond pancakes.

 
Not having any plans for Christmas yet? Here is how Jenny celebrates her Christmas.  Why not try something new this year?

How about you, how do you bring the holidays home?

Five years to live

What would you do if you have only five or ten years to live?

What would you regret about if the doctor tells you that you have only 24 hours to live?

Do you have a personal mission statement?

These are the questions asked by Paula and J.D. in this podcast episode of Afford Anything. I found the questions stirring.

If I had only five to ten years to live, I would put some money aside for my child (not too much!), quit my job (this very second) and the rest of my finances will be spent on traveling and having good times out there with whoever wants to be with me. Mom, child, spouse, a friend...

What would I be sorry about if I had only 24 hours to live? Missing on FUN. I need more fun in my life. My resolution right now is to start scheduling fun activities, rather than obligations.

I still do not have a personal mission statement and I may never have one. I like my ever-changing passions and interests. I have not come up with any statement that captures all my hopes. Isn't a mission statement more about hopes than reality?

Another great motivational video is this of Jenny Mustard. The main idea here is: do not establish and follow the routine! I need to start incorporating more activities in my life that make me happier. I might start a diary, or even better, work for five to ten minutes every night on projects of my imagination. I have a ton on projects either in their embryonic stage on my computer or brewing in my brain.

Speaking about things that bring me happiness and inspiration, here is a video on a great house. Architecture has always been a passion of mine.

Also, here is some hygge for the Spring!

I cannot wait for the snowdrops in my garden this spring season. These would be the first flowers to show in my garden. I dug out a few bulbs from the woods last year and this year, I am expecting the little white ballerinas to dance in front of the house. Maybe in February, maybe in March?
 
Since I have imposed a strict financial discipline on me, I have a restraining order away from flower catalogues; otherwise, I would have filled the garden with crocuses and hellebores. Unfortunately, tulips do not survive the hungry menagerie in my area.
 
Snowdrops and daffodils! As I imagine them nodding with the spring breeze, I smile. Yes, imagery is another way to happiness. Just imagine the sun, the blue sky and the little yellow daffodils.





What makes you feel happy and uplifted?

Happiness pursuit, the Scandinavian way

It seems that in childhood we have the natural knack for hygge

I have previously written about happiness, but today's post is about the Scandinavian approach to it.

 I just watched
WHAT IS HYGGE ? THE NEW TOP INTERNET TREND.


I carefully listened to Jenny Mustard, and yet, what exactly is hygge?

According to the online definition,  hygge (pronounced “HUE-gah”) is:

 "... simply the Danish ritual of enjoying life's simple pleasures. Friends. Family. Graciousness."

Can I make hygge and coziness a mission in my life at least during this Holiday season? How do I achieve it? 
 
The hygge video by Jenny Mustard's was so intriguing, that I went on a detective trip around Internet to learn more.

My curiosity brought me to yet another video, this of Living Danishly: inspiring ideas from the world's happiest country. The talk was by Helen Russell, who shared life experiences from Denmark, including her understanding of hygge.

Helen's description of how relaxed Danes are about their jobs and working hours immediately connected in my mind to a recent LinkedIn post. 

The post was about Mark Douglas, the CEO of the marketing and advertising company SteelHouse. Mark gives a three-day weekend every month and a $2,000 annual vacation bonus to his employees (OK, ...one of my browsers is on job openings in SteelHouse). No wonder the company has "virtually zero turnover". I am sure that even if Mark's employees have not heard about hygge, they know how it feels. 


I have also heard about German companies that allow their employees to "borrow" a couple of retirement years when they are still young and healthy.
 
The concept of hygge reminds me of a thought I recently heard and will re-phrase here: 

"If you live with the past, you will be depressed, if you live with the future, you will be anxious, if you live in the moment, you will achieve peace of mind". 

We do not have the power to change the past, we may not be able to influence the future, the only power (limited or not) is this of determining what we do at the moment. Today is the day we can change things.

Actionable

• Live in the moment, and plan for experiences that create memories.

•  If you are still unsure how to practice hygge, then probably some sound therapy will help? (just kidding)