The 10 Little Things that Keep Me Sane.
Life gets busy. Between work deadlines, social commitments, and my never-ending to-do lists, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But sometimes, it’s not big changes that ground me - it’s the little things.
Daily walks with Effie
Walking is so underrated! A lot of the time, I’m cooped up at home working from my desk and in the winter months it’s easy to miss the daylight. I take my dog Effie out each morning to stretch her legs, but I’ve been trying to get out for a longer walk at lunchtime too. Walking really is like therapy to me - it clears my mind, gives me a moment to think, breathe and just be. If I’m really pushed for time, I’ll hit the treadmill in the evening for half an hour-I’m always surprised at what a difference it makes to my mental health.
Stretching
Daily stretching has become a little ritual for me. It’s not just about loosening tight muscles - it’s about creating space for myself. Space to be present in my body and mind. I aim for a few minutes in the morning to help wake me up or when i’m winding down before bed.
Music
Wearing my Apple AirPods Max really does feel like I’m in my own little safety bubble. It gives me the ability to block out the chaos and noise of the outside world and has a real power to entirely shift my mood. At home, I’m constantly listening to background music, even if it’s just ambient sounds.
Time blocking my calendar
Time blocking is a productivity lifesaver! I always seem to be juggling 100 projects and various tasks at once, so breaking my day down into chunks (for work, errands and downtime) helps me to stay organised and in control.
Putting my phone on DND
Life online can be a lot. Even if you don’t work in social media and content creation, the constant stream of buzzes and notifications feels like way to much. I have my phone automatically set to do not disturb mode in the evenings which means I only look at my phone when I want to.
Bathing
There’s nothing quite like sinking into a warm bath to wash away the stress of the day. It’s my time to unplug, unwind, and just let go. Surrounded by soothing water and the addictive scent of MIRROR WATER SOAK Bath Salts, I can finally breathe deeply and reset. I usually listen to music or watch a tv show on my iPad in the bath - bliss.
My wind-down routine
My wind-down routine is my ultimate reset button. It’s many of the things mentioned in this post - dimming the lights, taking a bath, lighting candles, stretching, reading a few pages of a book - little rituals that, no matter how my day went, signal my mind and body that it’s time to let the day go, relax and unwind. I can always tell a difference in how I sleep if I haven’t wound down properly.
Home fragrance
Being a homebody and fragrance goes hand in hand. I love creating a calm, reassuring environment through candles, mists and incense. Some of my favourites include our MIRROR WATER Sun Through Trees candle (which has a deeply woody base and notes of uplifting bergamot), Boy Smells Cashmere Kush (notes of geranium, vetiver and amber) and Earl of East Atlas Cedar (notes of olive, musk and cedarwood). I’m also obsessed with Sacred Nest White Sage room spray.
Early mornings
I’ve always been an early riser. Something about a quiet morning and feeling like you’re awake before the rest of the world. It gives me time to think, plan, or simply enjoy the stillness. It’s a chance to start the day on my own terms, free from distractions or demands. When living a busy life, those early hours are my secret weapon for staying sane!
I’d love to know what keeps you sane? Don’t forget - rest is productive.
Not doing this enough or well enough yet but: choosing 1 thing that is the most important thing of the day. Maybe 2 but 1 is better. Rising alone (which is more probable when I wake up relatively early) and sipping on my coffee with milk in peace. When I'm annoyed/overwhelmed thinking about what I love or appreciate. Switching feelings that time is too short to do X to ; let me just do X at least for 15/30 mins. Taking time to draw which I am not doing at all for now but daydreaming about. I loved drawing and do have some talent but... Don't find it particularly relaxing and it's a pity cause it's a pure expression. Walking with podcasts on or doing boring stuff listening to a podcast.
I'm trying to track habits that I know are good for my well-being, like working out, meditating and getting 8 hours of sleep. I'm definitely not a morning person but I think maybe I'm going to start pushing myself to get up a little earlier in order to have slower mornings. I don't love the idea of being awake alone in the dark but I do like the idea of watching the sun rise.