A thread for calm - peace, happy thoughts, support.

[Ninkanink]

This is a place where those of you who might need to talk to someone can post for gentle support, a listening ear and someone to keep you company when needed. Anyone who is finding it difficult to manage fears, anxieties or just the stress of virus/isolation in general and needs a few minutes away from your thoughts, come and get comfy here and we’ll chat about anything and everything. Anyone welcome as long as everyone keeps it positive, supportive and light. No arguing, no bunfights, no politics/controversy/dragging one another down.

Thanks op for starting this, and I’m soooooo glad I found you! Will be making a list of all your ideas as am getting beyond anxious - job worries and finance worries and general worlds about to end worries! Of course it won’t, but I hate my neighbour who drove past in his posh car declaring he was busier than ever. Grrrr!
Rant over! Have found painting gardening be the only thing that soothes - and getting up early - when I haven’t downed too much wine. Oops. Treat to me - Going to snuggle up with this thread later on today

Oh sorry delia, your post hadn’t popped up when I wrote mine. That does sound awful for you. Maybe some counselling to help you move on? I know it’s hard to start again but you can! And it sounds like he’s the twit not you. Hugs.

Ninja ink and orajbrave I really should be dragging kids up but took a mom to read your posts, so glad I did! Planter and herbs are lovely and solo bike ride sounds a good idea. I shall check on my seedlings! ( 5 year old spinach seeds, but some are actually growing!).
Right,,,,KIIIIIIIIIIDDDDDSSSSSSSSSS!timetogetuuuuppppp!
Hugs to you all x

Welcome to our calm and peaceful place, @Treatedlikeamaid. This is where we can take five minutes away, to sit quietly and just breathe.

Here is a piece of art for today.

Today I’ve pulled out my Bobbi Brown make up case and had a little look through my collection. Sometimes, when I’m feeling antsy and in the mood for a bit of retail therapy, I find that taking time to appreciate the lovely things I already have helps me not to mindlessly buy more for the sake of it - not that there’s anything wrong with retail therapy, and I think that collecting things that make you happy is just as good and worthy a hobby as any other, but I’ve already spent a fair bit this month and it’s time to take a break.

Here’s the case, in a chocolate brown mock croc.

And a little look inside.

All the lovely colours in the eyeshadow palettes make me feel very happy and calm.

It’s a shame the depth of the colours and the shimmers and sparkles don’t really show up on photos.

The molten drama palette has so many gorgeous shades in it. I’ve not used it yet! But next time there’s a party I’m on it.

And here are my BB lipsticks. And a cream blusher.

I've just seen that you linked to my Playmo thread earlier, so thought I would pop by and say thank you!

I have some time this evening to work on this needlepoint. It's a wedding present for a dear couple. Problem is the wedding was last Sept. I was going for 1st anniversary but that's looking doubtful now, too!

@Ninkanink I love the picture you posted earlier. The makeup looks lovely. Makes me wish I was a makeup wearer (just concealer, eyeliner and a bit of mascara for me) so I could collect pretty things.

Thank you for the welcome! It’s very nice to have found you.
Woke up to that awful anxiety that comes rushing in so it was lovely to see your pretty collection, and the moonlit picture, very soothing!
Oh I love Bobbi brown! The packaging, the colours! I still have a few lippies, that I love. Nice to see your collection!
The origB, ha! I know the feeling, one stitch at a time, you’ll do it!
Thanks ladies for being here x

Ninkanink, just watched the you tube videos you suggested earlier, they are lovely! 3 very different and very interesting ladies.
I also love Korean drama, it’s so easier to find it now, I watch it with my bts loving dd(14) and it’s great! Mad plots and a different way of life. Just finished hotel Luna- recommend!
Ok, getting up now. Am sooooo worried about our future ( both lost work) but today will be be nice to me day, inspired by you guys xxx

My DH and I watch a lot of K drama too. Lately we have enjoyed Let’s eat 1 and 2.

My daughter really likes BTS.

The YouTube channels I linked to are all very calm, very nurturing to the soul, and the more you watch them the more the various self-care aspects bleed into your psyche and help you to approach life in a similar way (or that’s what happens for me, at least).

Today is beautifully sunny again after a few days of rain. I’ve watered the herbs on my windowsill this morning and now I am sitting and enjoying the sight of their lush leaves. I love the little bit of greenery and life they provide! I come from a very greenfingered family - both my grandmother and my mum are very talented with plants and flowers, but I’ve not really inherited the gene so for quite a few years my home has been plant free as I felt so bad when they all eventually died away. But I’ve recently got two easy to care for plants which seem to be doing well so far, so maybe I’ve turned a corner. It’s amazing what a difference it makes to the feel of the house.

👋 to @SoMuchToBits hi and welcome to the thread! 🌷Visiting the Playmo thread is one of my favourite things right now. I just caught up the other day and it instantly made everything seem brighter, and also more grounded, somehow. I think that seeing things played out on a small scale and outside of our own bubble helps in re balancing. And to hear how it was helping those who had lost a loved one was particularly heartwarming.

@TheOrigBrave I love the needlepoint piece you’re working on! I am yearning for a cross-stitch kit atm, needlework is so calming. But I’m a terrible perfectionist and I put things off because I hate being less than absolutely expert at it. I think I might get one today as I’ve had it at the back of my mind for a few weeks now. My mum would love one as a present from me. Maybe for Christmas! 🎄

Ironically I don’t actually wear much make up. I wore a little when I used to work out of home but now I really only wear the bare minimum (nothing when I’m at home, atm) and under normal circumstances I’d really only wear a full but still quite minimal face for going out in the evening, or parties/events. I really just like collecting pretty things for the sake of it!

Perhaps if I buy a needlework kit you could get yourself a little make up treat! A lipstick, maybe! 💄 everyone needs a new pretty lipstick once in a while...☺️

Here are some pictures of the pretty little birds I’ve ordered to sit on our bedroom cabinet. They are a belated wedding gift to my DH.

They are handmade ceramic birds, from Debbie Barber Ceramics.

Lovely birds @Ninkanink, I adore ceramics

His is my young dog trying to persuade me to let him on the sofa. I'm in my pjs. It is not allowed

@Ninkanink one thing I have learnt (as a perfectionist myself) is that it's ok not to finish something all in one go, and that giving small goals gives you a sense of achievement. Sometimes I'll only be able to do one length of thread and previously if I only had time for that I just wouldn't have bothered at all, but now I do try and do just a little bit and it feels good.
Works for things that HAVE to be done like tax returns and also leisure things.

I found that if I only "allowed" myself to do my needlepoint when I'd done all my chores I would never do it at all.

Clearly it's a skill I'm still working on since I've had the needlepoint since Xmas 2018, but I'm going the right way.

Seems so simple but it really challenges my mindset.

Yes, it’s something I really have to keep in mind too, as it’s been the bane of my life for many years. I’ve got much better in the last few years but there are still vestiges of it in every fibre of my being so sometimes it can take a lot of mental and emotional effort to keep it at bay. I happen to be looking at kits right now, and when I find the right one I will buy it and let myself just enjoy doing it (or that’s the aim, at least), however long it takes.

Awww @Sooverthemill that’s so cute.

I would love a dog someday (if I can learn to cope with the idea of hairs everywhere...).

@Ninkanink ha! Yes. Being "chill" goes against every bone in my body.

I'm guessing everyone is okay? Hope so! I'm doing okay, struggling with bad hay fever but otherwise all is well

I'm doing fine thanks. And if you want to revisit the Playmo thread @Ninkanink you would be very welcome. Always good to hear new comments and ideas there.