Slow Living - Doing It Old Style!

Wednesday2000

I'm glad to read you are having a digital detox if you need one.    I have enjoyed reading along to the posts on here, though.

I have recently come off social media and WhatsApp as the notifications on my phone were annoying me. I am only keeping MSE and one other forum to read regularly.

leftatthetrafficlights

Thank you everyone for your kind words! 😁 I'm really pleased that this thread has been so helpful to so many of you ❤️ There's no reason for it not to continue without me - I'm not closing my MSE account so the thread will still be open and I'll be back in 2026! I'll take the 2024 bit out of the title of the thread as it will no longer be relevant 😉 

@Moorviews - I feel your pain with the trauma of getting things set up online! 🤦‍♀️ Sometimes I think 'digital access' has been a retrograde step 🙄 I'm glad that this thread has helped you focus more on what you need and slow down - you're absolutely right that it is the antithesis of modern life! 😁 

@dND - good luck with your renovations!! 😁 Having done our own a few years ago, I can completely understand how difficult the process can be 🤦‍♀️ It's so worth it once it's done though - the sense of achievement is immense and having your home sorted gives a real feeling of serenity. Thank you for your festive wishes, I hope whatever celebrations you have are joyful! 😁 

@MissRikkiC - I hope you continue to contribute to this thread next year and get inspiration from others - I know that your life is very busy but look after yourself and take time every day to just breathe 😉 

@Brie - my solstice celebrations will begin tomorrow at 9.20am (which is the actual time of the solstice). I will light the open fire (no bonfire outside tomorrow as the windy weather predicted would make it difficult! 🙄) then I will do a card reading and a meditation. Following that, I will prepare lunch and my children, their respective partners and both my grandbabies will arrive by midday. We'll exchange gifts, play with the babies and have lunch. Once the sun goes down, we will do our 'returning of the light' rituals and spend the rest of the day chatting, playing with the babies and no doubt listening to random music videos. It's all pretty low key really, spending time as a family is tricky with different work schedules and responsibilities so that is the part I am looking forward to the most 😍 

@Wednesday2000 - thank you for your good wishes! 😁 I'm glad your digital detox is going well - it's not an easy thing to do (in all honesty, I've never really been on social media other than this site - I use whatsapp purely for messaging my kids and sister) but the temptation just to pick up the phone and check here frequently turns into an hour of my life slipping by! 🙄 

Anyway, I'd better get on and finish my cleaning; I won't be on here tomorrow due to my celebrations so I'd like to wish you all a very happy Solstice - I hope that the returning of the light brings a new sense of joy to you all!! 🎉🌞 

Have a fab slow day!! 🐌😁

leftatthetrafficlights

Up early so just thought I'd come on to say I hope you have a very happy Solstice!!  Love and light to you all 💕

dND

Happy Solstice @leftatthetrafficlights. It's so good to feel that from today the days are getting longer.  A lot of my bulbs are poking through the soil with a promise of good things to come, even if the coldest days are still ahead.
See you in 2026 😁💕 

KajiKita

Happy solstice and enjoy 2025. 

I might start reading this thread from the beginning again, so I am reading in season. 😊

KK

Wednesday2000

Happy Solstice to everyone.😍

I have had a very busy week going back and forth into London and am looking forward to having a very peaceful Christmas. I think I will book a massage for Christmas eve and then just relax at home with my husband watching films and being cosy for the next few days.

I can't wait to get home from this hotel and have a hot bath at home.😇

Duchess2

Happy Solstice one and all. What a good idea @KajiKita. I might copy that as I have truly enjoyed this thread this year. At this time of year it’s good to be reminded to slow it down. Cosy thoughts🔥

Brie

Happy Solstice to all.

@leftatthetrafficlights
your day sounds very nice.  thanks for sharing.

leftatthetrafficlights

I hope you're all enjoying the festive season!! 😁🎉 

Solstice was lovely; lots of fun and laughter, lots of warmth and happiness - a perfect day 😍😁 

I've had a quiet couple of days since Solstice, we've just eaten bits and pieces from the fridge and freezer, watched a bit of tv, done some chatting and listened to music - it's been a lovely slow down and I feel very relaxed now. 

I'm spending the next few days making sure that everything is up to date on my spreadsheets etc and finalising my 'roadmap' for the final cycle of the winter season. The first two cycles seem to have flown by - I have gained a lot from documenting them in my roadmap so will continue to do that throughout 2025.

On reflection, I am genuinely happy with the progress I have made in 2024 - it certainly wasn't perfect and it frequently didn't go according to plan, but I have definitely moved myself (mentally and physically) closer to where I want to be and laid a solid foundation for my future growth. I'm happy with that outcome and am looking forward to building upon my achievements in 2025.

Having this thread and interacting with you all has been a real help to me - it has kept me focused on the small gifts we are drawn to every day (a sunrise, the sound of birds singing, the feeling of the wind on your face, the smell of herbs, the changing colours of nature etc.) and reminded me that we have nothing other than the moment we are currently interacting with - everything else is memory, hope or fear. I want my moments to be joyful.....

Anyway, I only a few more days before we have house guests again so I'm going to be making the most of my 'me time' that is coming up soon 🙌 dh has a family event to attend and I'm staying home - one full day and two half days of just me at home before the visitors descend upon me - it will be bliss!! 😁 

Tonight's dinner will be something fresh and tasty - I'm thinking a broccoli sprout, rocket and citrus salad; broccoli with a yoghurt & mustard dressing; root vegetable 'rice' (swede, carrot, parsnip); apple and beetroot with balsamic vinegar; quinoa and edamame beans with lemon zest. 

I've got roasted tomatoes and peppers leftover along with a lot of garlic butter so I'm going to make a potato and chickpea based curry with that lot. 😋 

Right, chamomile tea time...have a fab slow day! 🐌😁

Duchess2

Seasonal greetings one and all 🎄🥂☃️ Hope you enjoy your celebrations, whatever form they take. A special thank you to @leftatthetrafficlights for your support on this thread this year. Enjoy your detox and hope to see you in 2026