ELEVATE YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE!

 

As I approach my 50’s within the next couple of years, I realise more & more how important it is to live each day to the fullest. Whilst big adventures & fabulous experiences are all wonderful, the real way to happiness for me is to elevate the little things on a daily basis to make life beautiful & luxurious!

In a cost of living crisis, not everyone can afford big expensive luxuries but the little every day things around the home, your car, work space etc can really elevate your life on a daily basis which is so important for happiness, contentedness & good mental health.

These will differ for everyone but here’s a few things I have elevated to make my daily life as luxurious & beautiful as possible.

 

1.    Your Home

For me, my surrounding and their aesthetics are hugely important & have a profound effect on how I feel on a daily basis. We have made our home as beautiful as we can, so that I’m always happy with my surroundings. One room we’ve spent time on in particular recently is our bedroom. For me, lovely bedding, beautiful prints on the walls, a lovely & well organised dressing table all help me feel happy from the minute I wake up.

Creating a home that reflects your personality, when your home looks and feels the way you want, it’s your haven & your ‘happy place’.

For me, adding little touches such as fresh flowers, candles, lovely lighting all make it feel wonderful & keeping it clean & tidy keeps your mind in check. A cluttered home gives you a cluttered mind.

 

2.    The Garden

I don’t have a huge garden but I’m lucky to have a good amount of outdoor space & over lockdown I fell in love with gardening. I get a huge boost growing my own vegetables and, seeing my garden in bloom when I open my curtains in a morning and spending time in my summerhouse surrounded by the wonderful colours and scents really boosts my mood. Last Summer I invested in a Summer House for my garden which I adore. Reading in my Summer House with a delicious glass of rose is my most perfect escape after a busy day & brings me great joy! I’m usually joined by my adorable dog Dora too which is bliss.

 

3.    Dressing well

Of course we all love & need to get snuggly and wear our comfortable clothes from time to time but I know that dressing well when I go out always makes me feel amazing and in control. It doesn’t or shouldn’t always be the latest fashions, there shouldn’t be any pressure, it should be something you feel ‘fabulous’ in.

 

4.    Get outside in the fresh air

There’s nothing better than getting out in the fresh air, whether it’s a walk, a lovely outdoor lunch or just out in your garden, it’s good for our health & good for the soul.

 

5.    Keeping your car clean & tidy

I spend a lot of time in my car every day so it’s important for me to make it a nice environment. I like to keep it clean & tidy, I always buy lovely car scents and I have downloaded the Audible app so I can combine my love of reading with my commute. All these things help to elevate a boring journey to a more pleasurable experience.

 

6.    Pamper yourself at home!

Expensive spa treatments are wonderful which I love but regular home facials, hair treatments, pedicures etc are so important to look after yourself and also give you a bit of uninterrupted ‘me time’ & ‘self-care’

 

7.    Self-Care

Like most people, I lead a very busy life and in the past my own self-care has been bottom of my to do list. I’ve had a huge mindset shift with this over the past couple of years though & now ‘Daily Self Care’ is non-negotiable. My morning routine sets me up for a lovely day, this starts with waking up as early as I can, a coffee, pilates, a shower, making my bed, gratitude, meditating, drinking lemon water and a good skincare routine.

 

8.    Making time for little pleasures every day!

Reading, Writing, Podcasts amongst other things are all things I try to find time for as much as I can. Of course, life can take over at times but, these things clear my mind and transport me so I ensure I find time for them as much as I can.

9.    Good eating habits!

Like most people, I have good & bad periods with food but most of the time I’m very healthy. Of course I love the odd chocolate bar or slice of cake but I always feel 100% better when I eat clean & healthily. I’m sugar free 95% of the time and I’ve felt so much better since I made this lifestyle shift.

 

10.  Eliminate negative thoughts

Easier said than done sometimes, especially when you’re going through a rough patch, but negativity breeds negativity so finding something positive everyday can really help to lift your mood & out of a negative cycle.

 

11. Be open to change

Change is inevitable yet we all resist change at some point in our lives. Sometimes we need to find our inner strength, go with the flow & be as flexible as you can. Once you’ve embraced change it can have a profound effect on your life! 

 

12. Work on yourself to improve your confidence

Self confidence comes from a trust in yourself, it’s a frame of mind!

13. Stop worrying what other people think

I think this is something that comes with age as I definitely cared too much when I was younger. I still do care too much what other people think but I’m getting better & better the older I get to live my life how I want & not by what other people think.

14. Learn something new every day – or take up a new hobby or pastime

A lot of people took up new hobbies during lockdown but how many kept them going? Gardening was mine &, I’m pleased to say I fell in love with it & have continued with it since. I’ve recently started Hot Yoga classes which I’m loving and I’m getting so much out of it which is wonderful. There’s nothing better than finding a hobby or pastime you love & look forward to it.

 

 15. Surround yourself with positive people who inspire you

As I get older, like many people, my circle is smaller, but I love and adore everyone in my circle. They all bring me joy and happiness for different reasons & I hope I do to them.

 

16. Cut out the negative & toxic people who bring you down

This seems like a given but so often we end up with people in our lives who make us feel awful when we’re with them & they create negativity in our lives. When you’re younger it’s harder to realise this, often until you’ve been hurt but over the years I’ve eliminated some extremely toxic people in my life & my life is so much happier & drama free since.  

17.  Invest in good bedding & pyjamas

Does anything feel better than getting into a bed of gorgeous bedding in a beautiful pair of pyjamas.

18.  Celebrate your wins, even the little ones

Life is short & we all need to celebrate our wins, however big or small. Yes passing a huge exam or getting a new job is worthy of a big celebration but you should celebrate all the little every day wins too such as finding a parking space immediately, getting an unexpected discount on something when you’re at the checkout etc. It makes us more appreciative of life on a day to day basis & makes you happier.  

19.  Accept compliments & take constructive criticism

Accepting constructive criticism is vital for our personal growth and it’s how we learn, but… it’s also important to accept compliments too! I know I’m not the only one who tries to modestly brush off a compliment with a self-deprecating put down which isn’t nice for the person giving you the compliment & also sets your mind into believing you don’t deserve compliments. Break this habit now!

20.  Wear good lingerie

Whether anyone is going to see it or not, it certainly makes you feel amazing!

21.  Be present

Gosh we really are all guilty of not being present fully & being distracted with everything life throws at us aren’t we?. I’m working every day to not be on my phone as much and live life in the moment.

22.  Perform random acts of kindness

I can’t think of anything nicer than surprising someone with a random act of kindness to make their day!

 

23.  Spend your money on experiences

Buying new things gives us an immediate adrenaline rush and I admit I love nice things and I like my home to look aesthetically beautiful but, it’s life experiences that create your wonderful memories so fill your life with as many as possible. 

24.  Be active

It’s so important not just for our physical health, but our mental health too to get active. If you find an activity & exercise regime you love you will benefit even more.  

25.  Live by the rule that, if it won’t matter in a year, it’s not worth bothering about now 

This has proved me right time & time again & it really is something to live your life by to stop you stressing about things that really wont matter before very long.  

 

20 quick fire tips to ‘Elevate your Everyday’

1.    Focus on the present.

2.   Connect with other people.

3.   Having a close relationship is good for your health.

4.   Spend some time every day or every week being with those you care about, and be fully present.

5.   Practice gratitude.

6.   Give back.

7.   Be mindful of both your physical health AND mental health.

8.   Enjoy life.

9.   Be humble.

10. Make friends.

11.  Live within your means.

12. Don’t waste time. Make productivity and time management part of your everyday routine.

13. Find your passions.

14. Have a purpose with all your heart and soul.

15. Work on yourself and be grateful.

16. Make new friends.

17. Don’t be afraid to fail. This is the only way to plan to achieve!

18. Try new things.

19. Be more social.

20. Know who you are and realize the special miracle you are!