With snow on Table Mountain over the weekend, it feels very wrong to enthuse about the change of seasons and talk about Spring decorating (while cradling a mug of hot water).
Instead, what’s happening over here is a lot of talk surrounding the passing of time and our new daily rituals. We’re caught between feeling as though time has slowed right down and these last few months of lockdown have seemed never-ending. On the other hand 2020 is disappearing before our eyes and there are all sorts of questions around what we’ve done with our time and our productivity this year.
I think it is safe to say that we are all suffering from Covid fatigue. Have you noticed how the days feel more scheduled and that everything seems to take just a little more energy than it used to? Some of us quickly learnt that alone time doesn’t exist in a pandemic (especially when your housemates are 2 and 4 years old) and without travel (my favourite leisure activity), we’ve been left feeling a bit uninspired.
As a result of so much uncertainty over the last few months, slowing down and taking the opportunity to enjoy something, to really enjoy it, has become kind of a ritual in itself.
These new rituals and the joy the bring us have given us a fresh perspective, a new outlook you could say, on how we go about our daily lives.
Enter my indulgent morning hot chocolate enjoyed at my desk, headphones on and completely in my own world. Previously this treat would have occurred in my car while rushing out to meeting, almost likely spilling along the way too. This quiet morning moment helps slow me down and get me focussed for the day ahead – in a calm and peaceful way.
Some of us have started cooking again. Not every night, but creating one or two delicious three course meals. Or even setting the table beautifully for meals.
Fresh flowers are finding their way more and more into our homes. Hello Spring!
A friend told me that she started to splurge more on the wines they are buying for home. Since they are going out less, it feels like a luxury to drink an expensive bottle of wine in front of their fire – something they would not have justified pre-covid.
Personally, I don’t want to go back to life just as it was before. There was lots of overconsumption, rushing around and the need to be over productive. Even with our world seemingly on pause, I tend to move at a quick pace, so I’ve really being enjoying the opportunity to create space for slowness.
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When it comes to design we realise a fluffy rug or new home workspace can’t solve the big problems, but it can help you feel better with all the time spent at home, and even spark a little joy through the mundane day-to-day. ,
Our ongoing hope is that we’ve created a positive bubble. Somewhere people can come each day to escape, even if for a fleeting moment.
Our goal is that through sharing our projects with you, we’ll inspire you to look at your surroundings with a fresh perspective. To get creative in your own space. To move something around, to take something away. To bring about positive personal change, change that you find rewarding.
As always, we are delighted that you are following along!