Challenges along the way :-)

This week has been a bit of a challenge for me. I'm usually such a positive person but I have been struggling to keep that smile this week. Little things have been niggling away at me - such as the never-ending washing, the state of the house, the fact I'm so unorganised dinner is never ready! Etc! Then there's the guilt that whilst in sorting out any of these in not spending precious time with the children. All negatives...

It has felt so uncomfortable to feel like this - it's not my natural state and it isn't how I like to live.

So I'm doing something about it - for starters I'm accepting that this week has been a challenge and that's ok. I'm only human and things aren't meant to be perfect all the time. From each challenge we can learn and grow a little now so that next time it is easier. There you go, I'm looking on the bright side again already!

This morning I listed things I'm grateful for which really turned my mood around (did you know we do this every morning on our Facebook page?):

• Fresh, clean air
• My children
• Our clothes
• Our garden
• Amazing family
• Clean water
• Our home
• My Husband's job
• Our health

Today I decided to be kind to myself, keep things easy and watch for any emotions flying around - accept them for what they are and let them pass.

And we're back on track... :-)

Gemma x

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How do you see happiness?

We love to write and and use our own words and thoughts to create uplifting and positive signs. For a while I'd wanted to write something about happiness but it's all so personal to each individual - what makes you happy? Sometimes it's hard to answer...we automatically think of a person or family but sometimes it's a moment or a feeling or a memory ♡ And then these words came to me:

'Happiness is how you see the world around you'

By this I mean that really, we make our own happiness :-) It's about how you look at things and situations that arise every day. To one person something is a catastrophe, to another it's a challenge and opportunity for change. We can all find happiness in certain situations - lovely things that happen or people in our lives that really complete us. But to be happy, really happy, deep down I think it must come from within ♡

Gemma

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New product!

We've had so much fun making some new products :-) Here's a few sneak peeks of them - they'll form a set of 3 and we're planning to offer them during a special event at the end of June!

I've been enjoying making the blocks and the best thing about them is they can be freestanding or hanging. They go through a bit of a process - we cut the wood ourselves which can make for sore hands! And then it is sanded. But it's great to be able to dictate and adapt sizes. More often than not the design process happens as we're making it - we pick the colours and designs depending on the words or sometimes vice versa!

These blocks will feature that feel-good factor that is what The Seashack is about and we're very excited about creating more designs soon!

Gemma x

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There is nothing more important than...

...being kind to ourselves :-) Sometimes the way we are feeling has such a profound effect on how we are acting and what we are thinking that we just have to stop and say 'I need to get happy to make everything ok'. 

How many times do we shout at our kids or our Husband because we are feeling bad in some way?  Stressed because of work or some other incident, impatient because we are in a rush, down in the dumps because we feel bad about the way we look. This is definitely something I have been able to identify with in the last few years.  When I am feeling good, everything runs smoothly.  Without this 'even keel' feeling inside me life becomes so much more challenging. 

It's about recognising that things aren't perfect - maybe you're doing too much or thinking too much or you're not Superwoman - but it's ok to feel like this.  If you can accept that feeling and say 'It's ok because I'm only human and today is a new day' then sometimes it becomes easier to move on and be happy.  And when you're happy don't things just flow much more smoothly around you?  :-)

Gemma x

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Today's weather has got me thinking...

...about life and how it's so changeable. 5 minutes ago we had a torrential downpour and now it's bright sunshine :-) Life can be like this - one moment plain sailing, the next, a new challenge.

I try to look at problems that come up as challenges rather than impossibilities. It's not always easy as I have a tendancy to be a worrier and it's something I am constantly working on, trying to adapt to this new way of thinking. I want to relax at each challenge and trust that everything is working out perfectly. When you take the highs with the lows, accepting what is in the current moment as ok, it's easier to deal with it and move forward. There's a lot to be said for living in the present moment :-)

Gemma x

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I love a bank holiday weekend...

...and an ordinary weekend really :-)  I love them because we tend not to really do anything!  I used to feel sad that we weren't making the most of the weekend like I saw friends doing - getting out, visiting attractions, giving their children experiences. But recently I've realised that just being together here as a family is our kind of fun - it's what is most often good for us and relaxing too. 

As much as the times we do go out are fun, they can be a strain on everyone and more often than not, for the kids.  They are so young and trying to deal with hunger/tiredness/generally the outside world can be overwhelming for them.  As can trying to get them to conform to society's expectations - i.e. sitting down for a period of time for lunch in a restaurant! 

At home we are all very relaxed and I truly believe happy parents = happy children. (And a happy Mummy is more often one that is relaxed and in the flow and enjoying her sewing/painting!)  It is the times together I will remember; just being ourselves <3

Gemma x

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