Time to Wind Down

Dear Reader

Once the birds start leaving and the leaves discolour, we know without a doubt – autumn has arrived. Frogs prepare for their hibernation (with bats, snakes and tortoises perhaps following suit later) and nature’s message is: Time to wind down!

In a previous Editor’s Letter I wrote about Slow Living. (https://housefindernam.com/post/letter-from-the-editor-june-july-2022). Is slow living possible when you have a hectic career or run your own business? Could it even be doable? These days many people can’t or don’t want to retire early; so it won’t help waiting for your retirement before striving to live a slower life.

Instead, we should make a few adaptations to our lifestyle to grasp the essence of Slow Living. Like regularly appreciating nature and being attentive to what is happening in the veld or the garden. Take time for long candle-lit bath sessions or set aside enough time to create a meal with a *hygge atmosphere.

Spend time with family and friends or consider inviting them over for a leisurely weekend. Find your hobby items – the flute, paint brushes or sewing machine – and get back to your hobby of yesteryear.

Slow living means striving for a sustainably enjoyable lifestyle without a hectic pace. Make that change.

*hygge - Hygge is a Danish word; in essence it means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good in life.

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Liewe Leser

Wanneer die voëls begin wegtrek en die blare verkleur, weet ons almal sonder twyfel – herfs is hier. Paddas maak gereed om te hiberneer (die vlermuise, slange en skilpaaie sal dalk later volg) en die omgewing sê vir ons: Raak rustig!

In ’n vorige redakteursbrief het ek oor Slow Living geskryf (https://housefindernam.com/post/letter-from-the-editor-june-july-2022). Maar kan ’n mens dit nastreef as jy ’n loopbaan het of besigheid bedryf? Is dit hoegenaamd moontlik? Deesdae kan (of wil) soveel mense eenvoudig nie vroeg aftree nie; dus sal dit nie help om te wag vir jou aftrede om teen ’n stadiger pas te leef nie.

Nee, maak eerder nou al ’n paar aanpassings in jou lewenstyl om die essensie van Slow Living na te streef. Waardeer op gereelde basis die natuur en neem waar wat in die veld of tuin aangaan. Maak tyd vir lang badsessies met kerse of neem ’n behoorlike etensuur om ’n *hygge atmosfeer daar te stel.

Spandeer tyd saam met familie en vriende – of nooi hul sommer oor vir ’n naweekkuier. Haal uit die fluit, kwasse of naaimasjien en beoefen weer jou stokperdjie van toentertyd.

Om te leef teen ’n stadiger pas is om ’n volhoubare en genotvolle leefstyl na te streef – Maak nou al die verandering.

*hygge – Hygge is ’n Deense woord wat basies beteken om ’n behaaglike atmosfeer te skep en die goeie van die lewe te waardeer.

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KEEP IN MIND:
“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for He founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.” (NIV)

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OUR THEME - DULUX COLOUR OF THE YEAR
Count your blessings one by one. That’s the feeling evoked by Sweet Embrace, Dulux’s Colour of the Year and our theme for this edition. It carries a sense of serenity and thankfulness, an I’m-happy-to-be-here-right-now.

It’s like hugging the world in return for some sweet moments in between the awful ones.


Gerty Basson