Feel Good Home: How to Bring that 'Holiday Feeling' Home With You
You can’t be on holiday all the time, of course, but you can enjoy that same carefree feeling right now, in your very own home
Have you ever entertained the thought that your life would be sweeter and more pleasurable if only you lived somewhere else, such as Paris or Florence? I certainly have. But while life may indeed be sweet living in a gorgeous foreign city, it’s very likely you can experience more joie de vivre right now, no matter where you live.
When you travel, you are open to new experiences. You are ready to savour life, from the moment you wake up until you fall into bed at night. Just imagine what could happen if you decided to live your daily life with the same openness and attention to detail you have while on holiday. Here are nine ways to sweeten your daily life, right where you are.
When you travel, you are open to new experiences. You are ready to savour life, from the moment you wake up until you fall into bed at night. Just imagine what could happen if you decided to live your daily life with the same openness and attention to detail you have while on holiday. Here are nine ways to sweeten your daily life, right where you are.
Savour your first cup of coffee or tea in the morning
For many of us, starting the day off on the right foot means enjoying a cup of our favourite coffee or tea in peace. Why not do your best to make it extra special? Use a latte cup or your best china teacup, put on the radio or some music, and find somewhere beautiful to sit.
For many of us, starting the day off on the right foot means enjoying a cup of our favourite coffee or tea in peace. Why not do your best to make it extra special? Use a latte cup or your best china teacup, put on the radio or some music, and find somewhere beautiful to sit.
Spend more time in the fresh air
Whether it’s simply taking your coffee out onto the balcony of your hotel each morning or going on long walks exploring the city, when you are en vacance, it seems natural to be outside more often. But back home, all too often we get stuck in the same routines, cooped up in our homes and offices, rarely feeling the sunshine on our skin. What an easy thing to remedy. Try bringing your coffee or tea onto the patio, go for a walk on your lunch break or take an after-supper stroll. On the weekend, spruce up your outdoor space to make it more enticing, and make a point of using it more.
Whether it’s simply taking your coffee out onto the balcony of your hotel each morning or going on long walks exploring the city, when you are en vacance, it seems natural to be outside more often. But back home, all too often we get stuck in the same routines, cooped up in our homes and offices, rarely feeling the sunshine on our skin. What an easy thing to remedy. Try bringing your coffee or tea onto the patio, go for a walk on your lunch break or take an after-supper stroll. On the weekend, spruce up your outdoor space to make it more enticing, and make a point of using it more.
Enjoy the pleasure of a well-selected wardrobe
It’s not difficult to have a small wardrobe if it’s filled only with pieces you love and wear. When you are culling your wardrobe, try channelling that carefree feeling of travelling with a smartly packed suitcase — everything is essential, flattering and goes with everything else.
See more ideas for organising your wardrobe
It’s not difficult to have a small wardrobe if it’s filled only with pieces you love and wear. When you are culling your wardrobe, try channelling that carefree feeling of travelling with a smartly packed suitcase — everything is essential, flattering and goes with everything else.
See more ideas for organising your wardrobe
Make cooking (and shopping for) your nightly meal a special event
Instead of resenting the time it takes to get dinner on the table on a weeknight, try thinking of it as a special event to look forward to. Seek out new open-air markets and speciality shops where you can be inspired by fresh ingredients. When you get home, make the process of cooking as enjoyable as possible – put on uplifting music, pour yourself a glass of wine and get cooking.
Instead of resenting the time it takes to get dinner on the table on a weeknight, try thinking of it as a special event to look forward to. Seek out new open-air markets and speciality shops where you can be inspired by fresh ingredients. When you get home, make the process of cooking as enjoyable as possible – put on uplifting music, pour yourself a glass of wine and get cooking.
Set a beautiful table for dinner every night
Why save your best crockery for special occasions and company? Set your table every night with a tablecloth, real napkins and pretty dishes. Light candles, put soft music on in the background and dim the overhead lights. Savour your meal and linger at the table – if you don’t want to indulge in a sweet dessert every night, you could serve ripe fruit or just coffee and tea.
Why save your best crockery for special occasions and company? Set your table every night with a tablecloth, real napkins and pretty dishes. Light candles, put soft music on in the background and dim the overhead lights. Savour your meal and linger at the table – if you don’t want to indulge in a sweet dessert every night, you could serve ripe fruit or just coffee and tea.
Entertain with abandon
Don’t be afraid to invite friends over to your house. Most people are simply thrilled to be invited and couldn’t care less what shape your house is in, or whether you can cook a magnificent dinner. Focus on the joy of sharing a lovely evening with people you care about, and don’t be afraid to delegate tasks – ask a friend with great taste in music to bring a playlist, or pick up fabulous appetisers from a local restaurant or food market. Offer aperitifs and nibbles as soon as guests arrive to put everyone at ease. Make the evening memorable by doing something a bit different after the meal, such as putting on old records or playing a game.
Check out ways to make your home a more relaxing space
Don’t be afraid to invite friends over to your house. Most people are simply thrilled to be invited and couldn’t care less what shape your house is in, or whether you can cook a magnificent dinner. Focus on the joy of sharing a lovely evening with people you care about, and don’t be afraid to delegate tasks – ask a friend with great taste in music to bring a playlist, or pick up fabulous appetisers from a local restaurant or food market. Offer aperitifs and nibbles as soon as guests arrive to put everyone at ease. Make the evening memorable by doing something a bit different after the meal, such as putting on old records or playing a game.
Check out ways to make your home a more relaxing space
Take advantage of what your region has to offer
So often, we travel to experience new things but neglect what’s in our own back garden. Do you live near a beach or an area with beautiful walks? Or perhaps there is a well-known museum in your town? Pay attention to what your own area has to offer – you might be surprised at the treasures you find.
So often, we travel to experience new things but neglect what’s in our own back garden. Do you live near a beach or an area with beautiful walks? Or perhaps there is a well-known museum in your town? Pay attention to what your own area has to offer – you might be surprised at the treasures you find.
Infuse your daily life with art and beauty
Whatever that means to you: Put flowers around the house, read more, listen to great music, go to view beautiful art, learn new things or say yes to spontaneous adventures.
What are your favourite simple pleasures? Tell us in Comments below.
Whatever that means to you: Put flowers around the house, read more, listen to great music, go to view beautiful art, learn new things or say yes to spontaneous adventures.
What are your favourite simple pleasures? Tell us in Comments below.
Show yourself the same care and courtesy you would offer a close friend staying in your home. Take the time to make your bed as soon as you get up, open the curtains and wear a nice bathrobe while you brew your coffee or tea. Decide not to see small chores, such as making the bed, as a hassle, but as something kind you are doing for yourself.