Well, I did it. I put up our two non-traditional trees, one in the living room and the other in the snug (aka den). Later, when the day gets dark too early, the glow of the white LED lights will warm the rooms. Cue the hygge.
It’ll look something like this (I captured this image in our living room a couple of years ago) and I’ll be delighted every morning when it’s just me and the lights, and comforted in the evening when this different light fills our home.
After I put the trees up I changed out some throw pillows in the living room and ordered a new duvet cover for the bedroom. Then, because I was on a roll with leaning into something different, I pulled out my watercolours.
It’s been months since I dabbled, and my woman cave is no longer conducive to being an art studio, so I plunked everything down on the kitchen counter and set about playing. It was fun watching the paint play on the paper and not trying to create anything in particular. I think I’ll do it more often.
Sometimes I need to switch things up a bit. Especially now, as the dark days roll in and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by things I can’t change. Doing things that spark delight helps, as does creative play and paying attention.
What things are you intentionally turning toward at this time of year?

The painting is absolutely beautiful, Linda. The colors, the movement, it pulls me in. Something beautiful to meditate on.