That’s what I’ve been feeling with the start of this year. I don’t really know why. The last two years have felt like so much is happening and nothing is happening at the same time. I guess much news was happening, but our lives were mostly stagnant (that is my perspective). I know my life was stagnant.
Speaking of hope, I don’t want to do another post where I hope I’ll start writing more. I don’t know if that will happen but I know I am not ready to let my blog go.
But to get back to hope.
I think many of us weren’t aware of how hopeless we felt in the last two years. I know I didn’t even though I knew I didn’t feel like myself. Getting lost in life is something I believe many of us face at some point in our lives, even without a pandemic.
What I did to help myself was to regularly journal and include 3 things I am grateful for each time I write. From the smallest things like enjoying my coffee, to bigger stuff like being grateful for the family and friends. And eventually new year rolled along and I felt differently. I finally feel like I can get my life back on track.
Today helped move that idea along. 🙂
Finally I went for a hike and enjoyed some snow. Followed by a great lunch with a friend and then a beer with another. Walking home from that beer we realized there is a new perfumery in town and even though I was ready to walk away (shame on me!) my friend said lets go in (because she knows me). On top of the amazing day I had, I got to feel like a little child in a candy shop. 😀 I don’t remember the last time I went into a niche perfume store. I enjoyed the experience and loved the lady working there because it was obvious she was having fun with us.
The name of the shop is Belodore and the one in Zagreb has amazing staff.
I don’t actually have a message to share with you – just the hope I feel. And pictures taken today at Sljeme. I love both winter and snow.
Wishing all of you a hopeful and healthy year ahead!
Tagged: Belodore, friends, hope, perfume thoughts, sljeme, Zagreb
All I am - a redhead 
So enjoyed your thoughts ‘D’ wonderful winter photos and what you said certainly resonated with me xx
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Thank you! 🙂
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I’m so happy you’re now feeling hopeful Ines. Journaling makes a huge difference to me too. I agree about the last 2 years feeling like everything and nothing was happening. Very discombobulating!
I feel the perfume writing muse has left me during the pandemic and I’m trying to make peace with that. I’m not ready to let the blog go yet either.
Love the snow pics. Hope we get some here.
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Tara, has the self-care writing muse also left you? I absolutely love your skincare posts, and you were the one who had the strongest influence on me in that area (I was just thinking about it yesterday and plan to write about it soon). So, if you have anything else to share in that area (or, let’s say, in the area of lounge wear 😉 ), please do not stop yourself. 😉
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That’s so lovely to hear Undine! I was thinking of continuing to write about skincare and books but wasn’t sure of the interest. Appreciate the encouragement.
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Tara, I must say I agree with Undina, I love your skincare and book posts. And who knows, the perfume muse might return. 😉
Btw, I love that you used ‘discombobulating’ – that word always makes me smile, it’s just so weird. 🙂
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Ines,
First – it’s great to see you here.
Second, it doesn’t really matter what you’re writing about – just try to do something from time to time: a picture, a book mini-review, a SOTD post if it triggers some thoughts, an update on running/other type of activities, etc. Since your blog has never been for monetization purposes, it’s not like you’d loose audience if you don’t post about perfumes. And for the small group of us who keeps coming back here, you do realize that perfumes, as much as we may like them, are not the main reason for us to come and comment, don’t you? 🙂
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Oh, and I forgot to say: beautiful photos! For me who hasn’t seen any RL snow in the last 3 or 4 years, it was a treat.
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Thank you so much! I always enjoy your perspective on things 😀 – so very practical (and true). I would like to write more but for some reason when I have an idea, I don’t sit down and put it into words and then it goes away and nothing gets written. I admit, I got very lazy in the last 2 years and have no discipline (working on trying to get it back).
Oh, and today it’s snowing in Zagreb as well! Yaaay! 🙂
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Great pictures – and sentiments! I was nodding along the whole way through, and feel exactly the same about the last two years, and blogging. I also feel a bit more hopeful about this year and it is lovely to enjoy the company friends more freely than in recent times.
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“of friends”
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So good to hear that you are hopeful too! I am enjoying the company of others more as well and hope it continues because I got worried I was becoming a hermit and liking it.
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you speak for oh so many of us:))
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Good to hear you share the hope. 🙂
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That was definitely refreshing for me since I stay in my room 24/7 thx to my depression. Love the pics you took.
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