Little Peaces blog

Summer Songs

As a child I was always trying to find appropriate songs for the self made Summer Songs compilation (tapes and CDs) to take on holidays with us. A lot of the time my choices didn't meet my older sister's approval. They didn't sound summery enough or weren't to her taste. Now I'm adult, in the days of Spotify, I've realised it doesn't matter if the songs remind me of summer in some distant, abstract way or full on mention the word over and over again - if it brings me joy at this time of year - it's in!

So I'm still adding tracks all the time, but here is a list of 5 of my cheesiest favourites so far:

Holiday - Madonna

Got the Feelin' - Five

Steal My Sunshine - LEN

We're Going To Ibiza - Vengaboys

Mysterious Girl - Peter Andre

I wonder what some of your special summer songs are or if you made tapes too or got the tunes out there some other way.

Finding ourselves in the water

I have always loved being near water. I could sit and watch it flowing for hours. I feel so fortunate to have just experienced my first (hopefully not only) cruise. It was wonderful spending so much time on the water and definitely my preferred way to travel.

As I wandered around the ship, I saw so many people just gazing into the sea. The wind whipping wildly at their hair and clothes. There's a feeling like the water holds answers to life's questions for all of us. It brings clarity and helps us gain perspective as fresh as the sea air. So perhaps we're not lost, but found at sea.

There's also the reflective properties of water. We can literally see our reflection in it sometimes.

This planet is more sea than land and I am deeply moved by the expanse of it. It reminds me of how small we are in comparison. But not in an insignificant way, in a humbling way.

I don't know how it holds this power over us but I'm glad it does. Things seem clearer with a gentle lapping, swishing and swaying. It makes us realise that we don't always need to be balanced. We can choose to go with the float.

Safely back on shore, I can let myself watch Titanic again now!

Permission to switch off

I will be on holiday for 10 days from 25th June, with very limited (if any) access to emails and phone. As much as I'm looking forward to a change of scenery, new experiences, quality time with loved ones etc, I was feeling the pangs of panic. But what if my clients and potential connections need my help while I'm gone? What about that event I've got on two days after my return... The truth is I will never fully be ready to switch off and let go, for a day or for several months and we all desperately need this kind of down time.

I love the work I do, supporting people to find light and ease from anxiety and stress, build confidence and embrace all that they are and have potential to be. I also know the value of taking a step back, focussing on yourself and your needs not worrying about others for a while. I have to practice what I preach and this comes as a reminder to myself and to all of you, do what you need to in order to feel you have your own permission to switch off and let go. I decided that an Out of Office, a voicemail change and some social media notifications would help me relax and enjoy my holiday. What can you do this summer, or any time you are taking time for you, to help you feel like you're OK with that?

Focus on Colour

My favourite colour is red because it is vibrant, confident, slightly rebellious and makes me feel good. It comes in fun shades like 'post box', blood, burgundy etc. But it's interesting how many people view red more as a danger/warning and this is probably due to the red traffic light and road signs, also correction at school. The work that came back from a teacher covered in red pen was definitely to be feared. Red comes with a lot of negative connotations, so I guess I am trying to change that by giving it some love (which, as it happens, is also associated with the colour!)

What is your favourite colour and why?

See if you can name a few things in that colour. They might even be on your person right now, clothes, accessories etc.

If you close your eyes, letting your thoughts drift for a few moments with a gentle focus on your colour, what else comes to mind?

When we go into overwhelm, focussing on something, anything that is not our own thoughts, can be really beneficial. You can focus on your favourite colour, noticing what around you stands out, or listing items to yourself. How many shades are there? How are they used? If there isn't much in that colour, move on to your next favourite or just the one you can see a lot of.

I hope this helps and you can find joy in 'seeing' the rainbow!

For the love of notebooks

I do love a notebook. As a writer and a listy person, I have a lot of them both stored in cupboards and in constant use. I don't buy or use any old pad of paper though - they are usually special in some way or speak to me (not literally...although.) If I'm going to give them my precious words and odd drawings then it needs to feel right. I want to be able to trust them with the information, like I would a diary or journal. For when I work with Writing for Wellbeing clients, it's great if they use a notebook that means something to them for the same reasons. Or even different reasons.

Here are some of my best notebooks:

The first on the left reminds me of a beautiful and haunting building I encountered in Prague in 2017. It also comes with its own pencil. (The notebook not the building.) I like to experiment with poetry in there.

The middle notebook is simply stunning, (the photo can't do it justice.) The flap at the side keeps it neat and tidy and makes a lovely satisfying sound when I close it. I've found countless Flame Tree notebooks since getting this one.

The notebook on the right is a symbol of all the lovely inspirational quotes on covers out there. This particular one is not only a good reminder for me, but is handbag sized!

I know I'm not alone in this, especially among fellow writers and I wonder who else has favourite notebooks?