Even in today’s challenging times we are still being sold ‘good living’ at a high price. In order to have a great life you have to earn £X per year, you have to have your own home, a car or two and so forth. My response to that… wake up and create your own bliss!

Whatever happened to appreciating the non-material things in life? Could it be that it’s the Little Thing’s in Life That Bring the Bliss?

Picture this: You have absolutely no money for one week, there is enough food in the house and you have a roof over your head. There are no televisions and the radio is on the blink. What would you do?

Fact: Half the nation would probably be up in arms blaming something or someone for their woeful situation. Some would probably just sit and mope and eat. Others would get creative! Yes, in this amazing world we live in there are ways to enjoy life even with no money…

So what could you do?

• Get outside! Whether there is a park nearby, a scenic route, near the sea or a beautiful city you can start by getting out there and taking in your world. For the first time, you can start to notice people, see buildings you probably marched by day after day without acknowledging and window shopping. If you happen to have a good location pack a picnic and find a spot where you can sit and watch the world. Oh, and if it’s the UK and it’s raining… take an umbrella!

• Get an old book out, one you’ve read before that you loved and that lifted you, one that challenges you or one you never quite got round to reading. Kick back and refresh your mind.

• Spend some quality time with your family/friends. Have a conversation! Allow the art of talking to be rediscovered in your household. See what’s going on in your kid’s lives, your partners, your friends and really engage with them.

• Clear out the old! The loft, the garage, the basement, the wardrobes and every room… black bags in hand attack the past it stuff with gusto! Whether it’s things you can give to a charity shop, for selling at a car boot sale or for dumping, removing clutter helps your home to breathe better and makes space for a new page.

• Get an exercise plan in place; running, walking, cycling – anything for free! Even a circuit workout in the park can help you to clear your head and treat your body.

• Go camping… (or glamping!) Pack that food, drive to your desired location (legal one of course!) and spend a few days in nature. It is truly a liberating experience and it really does make you realise how little you really need to live a blissful life.

• Pamper day – get your nail kits out, face pack and anything else you like to treat yourself to. Run a bath, light some candles and indulge in some you time. Post bath, moisturise your skin, wrap yourself in a big towel or robe and get pampering. (avec un verre de vin!)

• Get intimate. If you want to enjoy some of that time with your partner now is as good a time as ever to get up close and personal. And why not! Every relationship needs moments of oneness, an out-pouring of love and some spicy fun!

• And if you are very business focused you might even find some ‘free marketing’ tools to create a way to generate a stream of income! All things are possible.

I could go on but I’ll stop there. I’m sure you can think of many more free pastimes, the little things that make life blissful. I want you to hold on to this list and add to it because there may be days when you feel that ‘you can’t’ do anything because ‘funds are short’ or ‘time is lean’, but in reality there is much that could be done if you just open yourself to the possibilities!

Live Blissfully & happy holidays!
YvonneB