I started reading a book lately called “Living a Beautiful Life” where it shares hundreds of ideas for creating special moments out of the ordinary. I am SO inspired! The idea is that by incorporating more of your senses into what would normally be chores, it helps us live a more beauty filled life! Sign me up!
I’ve fallen into the trap of only having things look pretty that people will see all the time, but now I’ve shifted my thinking. I want to be the one to enjoy my daily life! Doesn’t the idea of slowing down and finding ways to enjoy the stuff you have to do daily sound lovely?!
A few weeks ago, I stopped by the thrift store and grabbed a $2 basket. Now I use it for when I prune my roses- the dying roses go in the wicker basket and it really elevated that everyday task into something beautiful! I’m no longer using an ugly plastic bin that was a pain to carry around.
Since then, I’ve been looking for more ways to make the routines I have more enjoyable. Designating thought out items for exact times and tasks in may day.
For example, I love taking baths, but I got to thinking- how can I make this better? How can make bath time a little ritual?! So I bought a bath pillow, I make sure to smell the bath bubbles, I put away the kid bath toys and try to really enjoy the joy of a good soak!
Another ritual I love is putting on a good record. I created a music listening corner in my living room. There’s an ottoman so it’s comfy to thumb through the different records. I like to sit there in the evening, put on a record, and then begin my blog posts while I listen to my favorite music.
I like the idea of treating myself in different ways than food. So I consider my senses- what will sound good, look good, smell good, or feel good? Listening to my favorite record is a great way to unwind at the end of the day.
At our house, we don’t have a dishwasher so I spend a lot of time washing dishes. Although this is technically a chore, I’ve grown to not mind it. Want to hear my secret? I light that candle before I start and by the time I’m done, the room smells divine. I only light the candle while doing dishes and I’ve told myself that scent means I’ve done a good job.
Lol! So cheesy, but it works! I also love that little brush holder to the right side of my sink. The holder has a little soap and water in it so it makes washing dishes easier. Plus it looks pretty on my countertop!
I feel like I could go on and on about this subject forever. It’s fun to try and find ways to make each part of my routine a little simpler. At my nightstand, I have a built in plug so it’s easier to plug in my phone at night.
All summer, I’ve been making sure to always have at least one fresh flower in the house. This one smells amazing! And it’s lasted almost a week. There’s such a joy going outside and searching for the prettiest rose!
I was recently talking to my grandma about this topic and she told me about a little dish her sister brought her from Sweden. Now she keeps her scouring pads in it by her sink and it makes her smile when she sees it. I love that! What could you do to make your daily life more pretty?
50 Ways to Add Beauty to Every Day Life
I think it’s the perfect time to really try and figure out ways to enjoy our homes. I’ve been upgrading one small thing at a time and the process has been fun and satisfying. There’s just something about slowing down in the rush of life and really enjoying where I am. Taking a deep breath and being present.
In the book, the author Alexandra Stoddard talks about how to make everyday tasks feel like special rituals so you enjoy them more. That by paying attention to the details of life, you can live more beautifully!
I love that idea! It’s all about adding touches of beauty to make the ordinary extraordinary. And I put together a list of 50 ways you can do just that!
50 Ideas to Make Daily Life More Beautiful
1 Make the bed everyday
2 Light a candle
3 Cut fresh flowers
4 Add salts to your bath
5 Get a bath tray
6 Have nice sheets that are cozy
7 have pretty soap for washing dishes
8 Bake fresh cookies
9 Eat a summer dinner outdoors
10 Frame a photo from a favorite memory
11 Wear your favorite perfume
12 Have a pretty box that holds all your recipes
13 Enjoy the scent after a fresh rainfall
14 Keep a gratitude journal
15 Turn on the fireplace
16 Keep laundry soap in a pretty container
17 Send a hand-written letter to a loved one
18 Clean up one small corner of clutter
19 Put on mood music
20 Add plants around your home
21 Diffuse some essential oils
22 Put out a cozy throw blanket
23 Eat dinner by candlelight
24 Read in a hammock
25 Add a bright welcome mat
26 Add softer lighting with warm LED bulbs
27 Hang a seasonal wreath
28 Create a reading nook
29 Hang string lights outside
30 Keep slippers handy
31 Start a small garden
32 Jot down the things that spark joy for you
33 Organize a drawer
34 Spend time drawing
35 Eat off your special china
36 Have art that tells your story
37 Put a bird feeder outside and watch them eat
38 Roast marshmallows while looking at the stars
39 Turn a record that reminds you of childhood
40 Start the day by stretching and setting an intention
41 Watch your favorite movie and eat popcorn
42 Put on an apron while cleaning
43 Shuffle the books on the coffee table so you actually read them
44 Add a lavender sachet to your drawer
45 Paint a door your favorite color
46 Organize your closet by color
47 Pet your dog or cat
48 Take a daily walk
49 Read your favorite childhood book with a little one
50 Take a Sunday nap and then wake up slow
Life Is Beautiful
Finding ways to make the simple things in my life beautiful has become one of my favorite things. And it’s making me appreciate what I have even more.
What beautiful things have you added to your daily life? What would you try from this list? Tell me in the comments!
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Pam says
dear precious Ashley 🙂 & precious family 🙂 You should be added to the list! 🙂 This is just all sooo wonderful & precious & I feel the same in my heart as you! 🙂 It’s the simplicity & the lil precious things that bring joy & happiness ~ & gratitude brings great joy! I love the gratitude journal & petting our precious lil pet 🙂 ~ she always kisses me with love! xo The sweetness & beauty in your heart 🙂 ~ makes your home so beautiful & sweet & that goes out into the world! I too always loved to make things pretty & never enjoyed it for me too. It feels so wonderful for the heart to appreciate it now more then ever ~ along with the preciousness & simplicity. I just love all that you wrote & will look at the book! So happy you’ll be enjoying it all more ~ as it’s simply wonderful! 🙂 ~ a lil wonderland of love 🙂 Thank you for such dear sweet thoughts 🙂 With love from all of us! xo
Ashley Wilson says
Thanks for the sweet note Pam! Hope you have the best weekend!😍