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 am lucky enough to live in the most beautiful countryside and my joy is simply looking out on the rolling hills in front of me.
I have done holidays and always return and ask myself why I bothered as what I have on my doorstep is such a joy and surpasses anything else I have seen.

I live a pretty quite life, retired over six years ago.

I'm more than happy with my garden, the birds including a couple of pigeons coming in, I have a share of a beach hut with a friend and we are down there a lot, I see family and friends during the week, I don't go out at night these days, all my socialising is done during the day.

I go line dancing once a week, I've just got back into reading properly again, I do plenty of gardening and go to garden centres frequently, I'm going to another one on Thursday. 😆

I haven't been on holiday for decades and I really don't miss it. I've come to the conclusion that I really don't like the travelling involved so I stay home.

I do not envy friends and acquaintances who jet off here, there and everywhere to some very exotic places but do enjoy seeing their photos.

Especially lately, since although I’m retired it’s been a very busy time, I love a quiet day, no need to go anywhere or do anything in particular, just potter a bit in the garden, get on with my knitting for a charity where the items are always wanted and very much appreciated.

Sitting in my garden on a sunny day watching sheets drying on the line and snapping in the breeze, totally lost in thought. It's like meditation.

Wishing you perpetual peace OP 🙂

Weekends, evenings, rare time off work (I’m freelance, so don’t take a lot of time off as I don’t get paid for it!) Quiet time being rare means I really cherish it, and I don’t feel bad for spending a whole Saturday afternoon sitting in an armchair reading books and drinking tea.

This is a beautiful thread which shows how important it is to find peace. I too love a walk in the woods, pottering in the garden, reading a good book. Simple pleasures which are so available to most.

Tea and coffee just how I like it.

Soap, I just love soap, cheap, expensive, all sorts. Handwash too.

I love watching fast trains from a nearby bridge and working out from the timetable when they’re due.

You can get a cd/electronic thingy set up, to make swifts enticing calls when they return in Spring. Plus you could also install cameras, if you were techy enough (I'm not)
Hope you get some!

After the death of my daughter last year I am living a much quieter life.

I no longer go out much and I don’t eat solid food. I can’t listen to music (which is a big loss).

My quiet pleasures are sitting in the garden on my swing seat, planting seeds and bulbs, reading, flower arranging (for my daughter’s grave), long scented baths, scented candles, nice quality tea, curating my daughter’s art work (she was talented artist) and having her pictures framed.

I am pleased you have found a peaceful life OP.

I like to be outside, my garden, the woods, walks, and just exist. I like to feel the weather, whether rain or sun on my skin, and hear the sounds. I like to remind myself that whatever is going in in my life, has happened or is yet to be, doesn't change how this moment feels, and I can enjoy the sensations.

Good thread. Peace of mind is important. Feeling Content is great.
Mr Net Curtain can whistle well. He also whistles to the birds and they whistle back .

Plane Spotting. Watching Planes coming and going in the Sky. Mr Net Curtain talks about the routes etc where they might be going from and too. Watching the Vapour trails, Cloud watching too.

Sorry to read of your awful loss. Glad that you find some comfort in those peaceful things.

I really enjoy my quiet life.

I left London to move to a small seaside town. Now I focus on my garden, renovating my old house, painting, looking after my pet, reading and exercising and I work part-time.

I made a lot of big changes to my life in the past 5 years following health issues and bullying at work. That includes kicking toxic relatives and 'friends' out of my life.

I am much happier and physically and mentally healthier now.

I don't need a car, expensive holidays abroad (I travel and lived abroad when I was younger) or to constantly buy new stuff either.

I prefer simple joys and not wasting my time with toxic people and environments.

My pets
A good book
Crochet

Spending time with my husband, we don't have to be doing something specific, watching tv or sharing a meal/drink in the garden, listening to music, just happy being together

Having a movie day with my best friend. We get some treats and usually a takeaway and chat and watch movies together. Something new or an old favourite. It doesn't matter.

@Rainandsunseathats inspiring! What else did you do to change your life?

Almost everything!

Bought a house (on my own) in a town by the sea where I knew 2 people :), started Pilates classes, took up running (couch to 5 k), got a cat, improved my diet (I am vegetarian), quit a toxic job (they paid me off rather than face an employment tribunal for bullying).

Change is not easy and there have been some scary times but I am feeling so much better now. Having health issues made me realise as well that a lot of my 'friends' were just there for the good times and magically disappeared when I was struggling so now I just focus on being content in myself and prioritising a peaceful life, well being and health.

Waking up really early on a Saturday morning, making a cup of tea, taking it back to bed and reading a book for an hour or 2 before everyone wakes up. When my DH is working nights, getting the kids to bed and putting myself to bed early to watch something on Netflix. I like doing this with him too of course but I've realised as I've got a bit older, I need quite a bit of alone time.

Nothing beats a cup of tea.
also sitting in peace in my garden

I downloaded it and I’m sitting have a cup of tea outside using it, thank you!

Well done for making a big change to your life! You are very inspiring 😀 Enjoy your peaceful life by the sea 🌊 It sounds perfect Xx