As the twinkling lights fade and the last strains of festive music drift away, many of us find ourselves facing the post-Christmas blues. The transition from the festive season to the blank canvas of a new year can be challenging, but fear not! In this January blog post, we’ll explore ways to beat those post-Christmas blues and embrace the new year with open arms. Our focus? Creating a decluttered and cosy home environment, complete with delightful home fragrances to lift your spirits. We recommend our favourite stores to shop and products to buy that will help you along the way.
Declutter and embrace a fresh start for a fresh new year.
The first step to embracing the new year is to declutter your living space. Start by packing away the Christmas decorations. Try not to think that Christmas is over, but rather you are looking forward to a fresh new year full of exciting opportunities. Embrace the challenge. Take stock of any items you no longer need or don’t spark joy (remembering Mari Kondo from our previous blogs.) When it comes to fragrance for your setting, why not opt for a relaxing yet refreshing scent to keep the tranquil vibe. Maybe a Lavender and Sage Reed Diffuser to help create a calm and peaceful ambience. It has the soothing scent of Lavender which blends perfectly with the fresh herbal notes of sweet sage. You’re all set – with a clutter-free space that not only feels refreshing but also sets the stage for new possibilities.
Create functional areas and make your space work for you.
Consider creating functional zones within each room to optimise your living space. Define areas for work, relaxation, and definitely a space for hobbies. Having a hobby can help get you through the post-Christmas lull and help to keep you focussed and entertained. Something simple like a jigsaw or reading. Or be ambitious and take up knitting and aim to become the new Tom Daley! Having a dedicated space not only enhances the flow of your home but also makes it easier to maintain a clutter-free environment. Invest in storage solutions like baskets and shelves to keep items organised and out of sight. Ikea have a great range of modern storage solutions, from stacking baskets for kids toys and bathroom essentials to soft jute baskets for your throws or laundry.
Define each space with a fragrance. Fresh and uplifting for work and hobbies – warm and inviting for cosy reading corners. We love the evergreen fragrance of fir trees and sweet winter spices in the amazing Winter Pine and Cedarwood Centrepiece Candle. The essential oils within bring a warm and cosy ambience that wraps around you like a comfort blanket.
Cosying up with comfort.
The winter solstice began towards the end of December. The sun is at its lowest point, it is time to hibernate, to rest, and reflect on the year that has passed and acknowledge that the long dark evenings will gradually be defeated by the light with each day continuing to get longer as we head towards Spring! January can often bring chilly weather, making it the perfect time to embrace warmth and comfort. Add plush blankets, soft pillows, and textured rugs to create a cosy ambience in the home. You could opt for warm, neutral tones to create a soothing atmosphere that invites relaxation and rest. Scent your spaces with comforting aromas that soothe and reassure. One such fragrance is Simply Mulberry. The large candle has sparkling soy with a deep, rich, and fruity mulberry scent. The relaxing scent embraces you in a velvety hug, and with twin wicks and a burn time of up to 40 hours it’ll see you right through this dark and chilly season.
Instagram made me buy it!
Scents have a powerful impact on our mood and emotions. I’ve been using Purdy and Figg cleaning products. Like Heart and Home, they only use natural ingredients and the smell is divine. I saw great reviews on Instagram so I ordered the Counter Cleaning pack which came with a free Frankincense and Myrrh scent. I combined my Christmas cleaning routines with my festive favourite fragrance of Home for Christmas, in a reed diffuser. The whole house smelt amazing. Now Christmas is over I’m switching to the Balancing Floral, Purdy and Figg cleaning scent, alongside my new aroma diffuser with the Sweet Pea essential oil. They really complement each other so well. Choose your favourite fragrances that uplift and inspire, such as citrus, lavender, or eucalyptus. Consider using scented candles, or room sprays to infuse your home with delightful aromas. Experiment with different scents in various rooms to create a totally personalised, unique, and inviting environment.
Be in the moment.
Connect with nature by incorporating natural elements into your home decor. Consider potted plants, fresh flowers, or even a bowl of seasonal fruit. Heart and Home products contain only natural essential oils alongside eco-friendly, sustainable soy wax so you can be confident that you are really bringing nature indoors. Natural elements not only add beauty but also contribute to a sense of vitality and well-being. Hyacinths are in season and they give us a divine colour and scent as well as being beautiful to look at. In fact colour itself is a great mood booster. Incorporate colour – a pop of sunny yellow or bright blue in your home or even in your day-to-day wardrobe can have a positive effect on your mood. Why not also wear your favourite scent every day, and delight in how it makes you feel.
Set goals and intentions.
Start the new year on a positive note by setting achievable goals and intentions. Whether they’re related to personal growth, health, or hobbies, having a roadmap for the year ahead can provide a sense of purpose and direction. Surround yourself with positive people that support and lift you. You could write a diary and try and focus on the good things that have happened each day. Write down one positive thing that happened to you that day. It may be something small like the car unexpectedly passed its MOT, or that you got to work on time for once! Small wins can help to lift your mood and keep your head above water. These little things will soon become positive, life affirming habits that you don’t even think about. Make YOU your project for 2024!
So there you are. We’ve given you a task for the next month and onwards. Declutter your space, create cosy, inviting environments, and incorporate wonderful home fragrances, you’ll be well on your way to beating the post-Christmas blues. Embrace the new year as an opportunity for a fresh start and a chance to create a home that reflects your aspirations and brings you joy throughout the coming months. Cheers to a new year and a new you!
