I love a little me time. In fact, I'm a big fan of it and I love to promote a more pampered lifestyle whenever I can because I think many are just flying through days without really appreciating the gift of the life and the sheer pleasure of just spending time alone. Little pleasures like lighting candles, flipping through a magazine, enjoying some tea with a few cookies (mine are gluten free so they don't look as good as the ones I could be eating from the bakery here!) and a simple flower bud in an egg cup... nothing fancy but that pinch of yellow is energizing. This little "me" time is such a treat and it's not fussy or styled to perfection as I do not exist inside of a magazine. My style, my world, is casual and relaxing... Little thought went into this arrangement as I want to show you exactly what my vision is of the perfect way to take tea. No frills, baby. I'm NOT Martha. :)
If you have time today, why not set aside 30 minutes or so for a little alone time... I take these moments each and every day, in the afternoon, and I love it so, so much. I'm waiting for my watercolors and brushes to arrive so I can work a little on some art, I feel SO inspired living here. It's all coming back to me, what I loved to do as a child, what I enjoyed doing well into my twenties... and now that I'm here and no longer stressing out, running around constantly, and driving all over the world to this and that appointment, I have more time to be a lady and take my tea and enjoy my projects and create things. I long to create things with my hands. It's one pleasure I've not allowed myself in a long, long time (since I was last in Germany in fact) and now I will do this. I love living in Hannover, in Germany, in Europe...
It's so much calmer here and the pace is about 70% less hectic. And I'm making more progress. And my priorities are really coming to the surface and not getting all cluttered up with muck that doesn't matter. To say I'm happier than I've ever been in my life is an understatement. I am overjoyed and thrilled to live here and experience my new lifestyle because it feels just like how I grew up and how I remember days with my mother and time spent at home and on nature walks and at flea markets with her -- and all the inspiration and ideas and love she gave me. I feel it all living here again, as I'm in touch with my core self here and it feels really, unexplainable... but beautiful. I needed this.
Timing is everything.
(images: holly becker)
Comments
I received another big project in my inbox today, but have elected to ignore it until tomorrow morning. Last week and even yesterday was such a zoo I just needed to chill. Today was that day. I made banana ice cream =) and tonight we're going to a castle for dinner out with family.
i do this also every day...if our little sleep...sit and have some moments for my own...thats so true timing is all...;)
so fine that you have more time for yourself...this is so liberating..enjoy it more...;)
You're tea time looks gorgeuos, I hope some day I can have all those little and beautiful things around me, in my own home :)
I loved the egg cup idea!
yay for the gluten free club!
and you are SO much cuter than Martha. ;)
I am now going to put a kettle on! Thanks for reminding! :-)
Happy day to you!
x Trina
I have an American friend who did part of her degree in Bordeaux. The college she went to specialised pretty much in American students.
She told me that the way of life in France (which is really another version of the European ethic) came as a revelation to many students and a large percentage eventually found themselves back living in France.
i am happy for you because it is true,that most people are 2 busy, running around,working,shopping,raising families and so on,and although that is life 2,its hard to pause and allow the slow motion living,where one looks at a ray of light coming through the autum grey and just enjoying THAT, i ALWAYS try to fit in some ME TIME every day,sometimes it`s only flippin through a magazine,standing in a little cafè with my latte macchiato in one hand and my baby-son in the other..or in the evening,when the kids are asleep,taking a bubble bath,the glas of wine next to me and a biography ( currently JACKIE O. by donald spoto) in my hands...love it!
i haven`t read haus maus before,and i love it already.i like that you write so close to your feelings and truth.
welcome to germany and thank you for sharing in such a beautiful way.
cheers from berlin!
(love them cookies2!)
Thanks so much for sharing your journey with us!
I live in bustling, crazy NYC and I make time to have tea and coffee because I, no WE, deserve it.
I've grown up in the art world, and when you surround yourself with beautiful things and quiet time, I've found that self esteem soars!
Life is too short not to be lived without some Tea and Me.
Thanks for reminding us all.
Job, children, a demanding hubby, all this and more, taking time out so to speak, well it's a neccesity of life.
I play piano for myself or
sneak out sometimes in the evening an sit with a coffee or tea at Barnes & Nobles, well you know...browsing, reading, dreaming.
And in good German tradition I have coffee+cake hour at home, often by myself!
I am so happy you are happy over there in my home country! :)))
I love your little tea glass and sugar jar. I am really going to have to get one of those jars before I leave Morocco... every time I see yours I want one!
LOL!
Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!
I'm also so excited as this morning we booked to come to Hannover next June (during Bach festival) i'm very excited to see the place you call home.
What a lovely post, Holly... Thanks for writing this and for sharing these beautifully serene photos of your what that alone time means to you.
-maria
I'm happy for you and your newfound Euro inspiration - enjoy it!
I live in Lisbon, Portugal and I'm on the verge of taking a huge leap (of faith?) and start my own business. I felt really inspired by your words and thought I shared it with you.
I hope you continue to enjoy Germany (it is lovely) and if you ever think of visiting Lisbon, be sure to drop me a word.
Inês