To live a quiet life

[Booksandcatsandtea]

Here is a thread to celebrate living a quiet life, small joys and simple pleasures 💕

My life is quiet now that I’ve separated from (abusive) DH and it’s just me and non verbal DS.

My life is not exciting or full of parties and social engagements but it is quiet and steady and I’m doing my best to appreciate living a quiet, peaceful life.

Things that bring me joy -

Planting seeds and watching them grow 🌺

After the school run I clean the living room then enjoy a cup of tea and a chapter of my book 📖

Walking in the woods with DS, throwing stones into the river and watching them splash, sitting and listening to the sounds of the forest and spotting butterflies, bugs and birds 🐦

Creating art, sketching and painting 🎨

Cuddling on the sofa with DS and watching a film 🍿

What small things bring you joy?

I’d add to the Merlin app but also Birdex to record bird sightings. It’s like Pokémon but for twitchers. Gotta catch ‘em all!
I love early mornings, especially in summer, when the only sound is birdsong.
Summers full of home-grown fruit, herbs and salad grazed from the garden.
Watching the mint moths and bees bobbing around the marjoram patch.
Lounging on my outdoor sofa under my grapevine enjoying the cool breeze and dappled shade.
Painting my walls and garden fences any colour(s) I please, the brighter the better.
Having angel delight instead of dinner if I don’t fancy cooking.
Watching sunsets instead of TV.

I’m not retired but disabled and work very part time when I’m well enough.
I don’t really get out, so have made the garden beautiful enough to lift my spirits all year round.

Before work. After work. Weekends.

I was forced to have a quiet life through illness. ME CFS. I resented it at first. I felt unproductive and wanted to be there for family members who were going through difficulties. But now I appreciate it. It's what my body needs. I enjoy the slower pace. Appreciate nature, birds singing etc

You all sound so much like my kind of people! Are any of you on the Nigel Slater thread/s? If not I think you'd enjoy them.

Listening to the dawn chorus.
Getting up while it's still dark and surprising my cats.
Poking the paws of boy cat while he's asleep, he hugs my finger.
The smell of rain (petrichor).
Watching spring bulbs come up, and my camellias blossom.
Driving on a new-ish road (surrounded by fields) with the windows open and singing along to a CD.
Putting the final stitch in a cross stitch project - then immediately starting a new one.
Counting the days until Autumn and watching the nights close in.
<ahem> watching The West Wing for the ??teenth time - see username.
Folding a fitted sheet properly (before it became a "thing").

and finally, after being an unreasonable, and slightly "poached" due to the hot weather, tit to DH - who wanted to calm me down with a hug and I pushed him away because I was just TOO hot/hangry - standing underneath the garden hose to cool down and realising he was eating a lovely lunch and mine was in the bin. 🤦🏻‍♀️ And that I still love the bones of him.

There's loads more, but 🤷🏻‍♀️ I've not had the best day.

I live a reasonably quiet life day to day.
I've recently decided
to reduce the days i work from 5 to 4.
My husband has decided that he is going to live in our spanish flat full time.
I don't want to so am going to drive back to England on Saturday as planned.
Me and the dog are perfectly capable of living alone.
I imagine life will continue. Up early, walk him, leave for work at 6.30. Home by 12.00.
Probably drive him to the beach and meet a friend. Eat whatever I fancy, salad or angel delight.
Now that I have written itdown, I can't actually wait.

I love to sit in the garden in the shade of our massive beech tree with a good book and a cold drink.

I have a needy little dog and I love put my feet up and have him on my knee while I read.

After caring for my late DM alongside bringing up the DC (all now married) every moment I have alone with DH or by myself feels like a treat.

We have a birds in the garden who start singing at the first sign of daylight and carry on until dark. It's the sound track of a peaceful day for me.

I was an avid gym go-er, always on the go, got itchy feet if I couldn't work out for more than 2 days, until I had to have a procedure which meant no exercise apart from walking for 6 weeks. I hated the first 2 weeks before embracing it and since then life has taken a totally different turn - now my favourite part of the day is going for an early morning walk in the woods, listening to the birds and just enjoying the peace and quiet. I love it! I've finally found how to relax and appreciate the little things!

I'm not working at the moment but will be again in a couple of months. Will definitely fit in the reading, the coffees and the meeting up with friends still. The Netflix watching will drastically reduce which is no bad thing!

I love getting into bed when the evenings are dark and falling asleep with the telly on, but it has to be a comforting programme such as Gogglebox or an old 90s comedy

Washing on the line blowing in the sunshine. Bliss.

Strawberries!! I have strawberries growing in my garden! Mmmmmm

A bath, full up to the brim with gorgeous smelling bubbles as a bloody good audiobook playing on the side.

Soup, in fact the vegetables from the bottom of my fridge cooking in my slow cooker making a delicious soup.

Where would we find them?

Empty tidy house in the morning, bucket of coffee and my phone to scroll while on the sofa.
Heaven.

Well done OP. Stay safe.

@BelleHathNoFury, I'm a lurker on the Nigel thread but it's a lovely place.
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/christmas/5539211-the-year-round-nigel-slater-discussion-thread-part-5?page=3

I love a quiet life. And I love this thread.

Gardening especially growing fruit and veg but also scented flowers that I can cut and bring inside to brighten up everyone’s day.

drinking cups of tea with the dog down at my feet

having made a meal that everyone really enjoys such as shepherd’s pie

using a lovely but affordable face cream

using a lovely scented soap

@Giggorata, this is fantastic, any tips on attracting swifts to use the boxes?

Cup of tea on the patio first thing in the morning in summer before the teens get up. Love it.

Thanks @RubynRita just took a peek and it looks like a lovely thread ♡

💝🍀🙋

Cup of tea in bed on a Sunday.
Pottering around in the garden.
Listening to birds with my Merlin app on.
Mumsnetting.
Wordle.
Quick walk round the village.

That all sounds perfect. I’m retired and my days are all about reading, growing things/gardening, sewing/dressmaking, little workouts at my gym followed by time in the pool, hot tub, steam room and sauna and walking in the woods with my dog 🙂

Thank you for this thread op. Weirdly I've been feeling guilty about all the things mentioned above that I also enjoy. I worried that I should be doing more exciting things or that I've become too much of a homebody. Feel encouraged that maybe its ok to just enjoy this stage of life!

Love this post. I remember that feeling well, the first few years of freedom, it was delightful. Enjoy every minute. I live a very quiet life and I’m grateful for every peaceful second. Cheers to peace.