Thank you for the healthy, freeing reminder ... I have noticed that I get panic attacks when I try to be too normal. I mean to say, when I try too hard to live up to what I think other people expect of me... What is important for me this Christmas is to create a fairytale Christmas, one that feels like a real fairytale world with little bells, acorns and fairy songs. I guess everyone needs to find out what their fairytale Christmas contains, but for me it needs to feel magical within. Happy winter solstice! (soon!) and a magical Christmas to you! Warmth from Nenne in Sweden
Skipping hosting the party with Friendz .. skipping the Family gathering hullabaloo.. gona make a nativity scene out of tp rollz & cardboard box w My 5 year old & see how the 1&3/4 year old playz along. Absolutely, Yes, it iz enough
7:39am here in Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦. Sitting quietly with a warm cuppa coffee in hand. The warmth of the fireplace and the stillness around me is so comforting. There will be 25 of us here today. All of my grown children, their partners, and their children (my grandchildren) will be celebrating Christmas early. We choose to do this every year as they all have so much travelling to do on Christmas Day. I choose not to add the stress of having to come see us as well. We don’t do gifts to each other any longer. We donate to a local non profit. We play games. We eat and celebrate and enjoy a stress free gathering. This has become our all time favourite celebration of family, love, and peacefully full hearts. Will it get noisy and boisterous? Most definitely! But the smiles warm my heart, the laughter fills my souls, and being together is what makes this season so magical. Wishing you and your family warm greetings, a magical Christmas of your own, peace in your hearts, and unconditional love 🎄❄️💙 Merry Christmas
I prefer to look at the holiday as not a Christian one but a Winter Solstice celebration of the dark days which holds the sparkle of life deep within. So color, candles, aromatic scents, baking smells, stories, gifts and shared comfort of being inside, safe from winter's chill.
For a real Christian, every day is Christmas. I have always celebrated it, but not as a religious holiday, just a day of food, family, fun and presents. Bonus if we have kittens that year! (Christmas is in summer here.)
@@thatswhatisaid8908 So if you're a 'real christian', you give away all your money to the poor, you turn the other cheek in confrontation, you love your neighbor as yourself, you visit the people in prison, you help strangers, you come to serve. Good on you!
Have you listened to the podcast “Calm Christmas” by Beth Kempton? It’s so beautiful try starting with the older ones and working your way forward. Or simply listen to the 1 hour esp. for 2022. Highly recommend
The Cranberries - Ode To My Family (Official Music Video) Love y’all and love your channel and yur little fairy!!! Sharing The Cranberries, one of several Irish bands I love so much!!!
This year we've told everyone absolutely NO gift giving, including our grandchildren. It's getting increasingly more difficult to buy for people who already have houses bulging at the seems with 'stuff' and children who have every toy going. So, this year we've put our foot down. It's also Summer here in NZ, so we typically forgo Christmas celebrations and celebrate the Summer Solstice by packing a picnic and getting right away into the wilds to have a quiet day in nature. Hubby will take his fishing rod, I'll take a book and soak up the peace and calm. It's a perfect way to spend Christmas day and we feel no guilt whatsoever at not joining in with big noisy xmas days. Oh and....ditching social media....Best. Thing. Ever. Blessings x
I think one of the easiest ways to take pressure off is to let go of expectations. So many times we want things to go a certain way and it puts other people under pressure, too. And then we tend to get hurt or angry if things don’t go the way we expected. I think accepting the ebb and flow of family life as families grow is important through the holidays.
I taken the pressure of buying presents and learning that around this time less is more. More rest and relaxing and less on going to many events. Merry Christmas and Happy holidays
This video is the polar opposite to others, not just at Christmas. As I look out at the birds at my feeder, the minimal winter decorations, I am so grateful in my cozy home. For a moment I stopped fretting about goals and money, etc.
I actually dread Christmas every year finding it too chaotic and commercialised and I’m much happier just ‘being’ in the moment as much as we can. Quiet moments of calm restore me from our every busy world we live in. Sending much love to you and your dear family, stay well and keep warm x💕
Yes. I get you. Why are you keeping traditions, doing what the world does? Where does that come from? Not from the our Savior that is not born that day. Research and see. Listen in the quite moment. He will tell you through the Breath of life.
I have all the supplies and ingredients to make doughnuts. This year I have reached out to my nieces, nephews, and friends who have young children and cannot easily get out for a visit during the holidays. I am making plans to come to their house and bring my travelling doughnut making kit. I think it will be super fun to visit while making and decorating doughnuts, and when I leave everybody will have enjoyed a sweet treat and a fun time in the kitchen. It’s going to be awesome!! Thanks, Niamh, for allowing me to share my thoughts and ideas here in this space. i love the comments and the kind words that people contribute. 💦🌎Ⓜary🍩🍩
Ohh donuts! Please come to my house! 😅 I actually just bought a donut making oven tin and I made some recently and they were way yummier than I expected!
@@FairylandCottage Yah, I make the baked ones too. I got the trays this past summer because we had so many zucchini in the garden and I found a recipe for vegan Chocloate Zucchini Doughnuts. I covered them with a drizzle of Chocolate Coffee Maple Glaze… so fun and what a treat. If I lived closer (like even on the same continent), you can bet I would bring my travelling doughnut road show to your house for sure!! Ⓜary🍩🍩
Hello from Brazil. Here it's summer time, lots of sunlight and blue skies. Since I'm pregnant, it was essential to let go the pressure, calm down and take it slowly. The pregnancy itself is a teaching moment of body respect and priorities. I have learned so much this year. Now I'm living each moment of each day, because overthinkig the future can lead to ansiety. So, as a cristian, i put it all in the hand of the Lord, hoping for the best and trusting his love. My baby may be born in the next 2 or 3 weeks. But right now, I'm perfectly happy feelig his movements, having him with me. The internet is full of information and I have read a lot, but now, I'm choosing to live each day, with its little pains and joys.
I love Irland and seeing you raising a whole healthy connected child. We came out of practice of Christmas. Jesus wasn't born that time. Love Him to much to make this about mens tradition. He gave us all creation to care for and enjoy, make music, show love maybe through visiting, listening, sharing a meal or cup of tea. He gave us 7 wonderful feasts in his Word.
I am trying not to stress over my house being super clean...I clean once a week and it is only 2 of us here now. Also, the Christmas decorations are minimal. I try to rest more. I am a nervous person and I am constantly searching for peace. 💓
It is much nicer to do less and smaller decorations and just being still and quiet with a comforting cup of tea. After all, I believe that's what this time of year is really about. Not bug expectations, but just ease and peace and togetherness with those you love....whether people or pets
This year I had to have emergency spine surgery. So we didn’t get the decorations up until this last Tuesday. We took it easy. Only put up the tree and the stockings. Left the villages and garland for next year. Very light on presents as there is nothing we need. Ordered from the bakery all the breads and fun baked goods since I am unable to be in the kitchen cooking and baking away. That’s ok. I ordered plenty of food and treats. We will be ok! We have a warm roof over our head for this upcoming storm this weekend. Food in the house and plenty of wine! What more can we ask for except to be all together safe and sound. That’s perfect for me! ❤
I’m sitting here, grateful. Many of my projects for 2022 failed, it is not important. One can do only so much. Projects are a mere guideline. Life happens. I watch my renovated reclaimed bird feeding house, everyone picking and chatting in there, even the doves find it lovely. The house is ready for Christmas, I’ll be working on Christmas, but I’ll have time in front of the fireplace, the carols, maybe get my old flute and play and sing a bit for the holy child. My mantlepiece is decorated with a 20 year old garland and little lights, I gave most of my decorations away and keep it simple now. Home made Christmas biscuits and cake, also for the elderly and dependant clients of mine, I love to share some of my german traditions at this time of the year here in France. But there are mincepies, too, and the classic 13 desserts of France, mostly dried fruit and nuts, and mulled wine. We’ll have a peaceful New year, I’ll have 3 days off with à bit more time to rest and contemplate then. Have a wonderful Christmas!
It’s summer here on my side of the world, however the warm weather hasn’t arrived yet. I love what you did with those toilet rolls. I will make some for us during the week. We lost our home and everything to the bushfires a couple of years back, so all my decorations were destroyed. We are in our new home now and living with much less stuff. Still I find things I just don’t need so I let it go. My joy is my stitching each evening, no television,although my husband cannot live without it. Blessings Gail.🇦🇺
PS: I went through the comments, so much love pouring in here, it is heartwarming and touching ! From all over the world, and cold Canada… adding my little light to brighten there with all my love
I've really missed your videos! This is the busiest time of year for me at work, so I'm only now getting to watch. It's so nice to take a few minutes in peace to listen to you. Happy new year!
Because the days are so short as we approach Winter solstice , I sometimes go out into an open field in the late afternoon sunlight to look at my long shadows. It can be fun to play with long shadows and also thought provoking when I think of the shadow of myself which I keep hidden from the rest of the world.
Thank you for this video. "People can handle being disappointed" My manager offered me a different job Friday afternoon. It's a very good job, but it is not nearly as flexible as my current position. I would also be working more during my husband's very busy, stressful work season (tax season). I have been feeling bad this weekend for making the decision to turn down this opportunity, as I know this will cause a lot of disappointment at work. However, I think continuing with my simple life and current job, with it's less demands and so much flexibility, is the best decision for me and my family. Your video helps me let the guilt go, knowing that it's ok to cause some disappointment to others. Merry Christmas, Happy solstice to you and your family 🎄🎄🤶🤶😊😊😊⛄⛄⛄🙏✨🎂
You made the right decision. Loving yourself and your family is far way more important. Let the guilt go, soon, you won t even remember. But other blessings will have come your way…
@@odilegabayengel4192 this is so kind, thank you. Oh the guilt, when I'm an empath, is very real when I know I will be disappointing people at work who have been so kind to me. But you're right, I have to put me and my family first. Merry Christmas 🙏🙏🎅
I love the little princess tower to the window to watch the birds!! She is precious. People have forgotten what this time of year is about and thus stress themselves out, not over meaning of the day, but what the commercial industry has set aside as what it should be and most people buy (literally and figuratively) into this time and year and thus stress. Remember what this time of year is about, drop the rest and destress....
I've seen a handful of RUclips videos of tours of homes decorated for Christmas. Hands down, yours is the most beautiful. It speaks to my soul in a way that none of the "Michael's and Hobby Lobby"-decorated homes ever could. Not that those aren't beautiful, in their own way, in some people's eyes. But your use of natural elements and your slow, peaceful pace of bringing it all together are just what I craved at this time of year. Thank you, and Merry Christmas to your family and the Little Fairy!
I really missed you and I am grateful you made the time to meet us here. But I understand and I know, as a grandmother, that you can never get that time back. 💕💓
I have cut back on the decorations this year. I have crocheted some baubles for the Christmas tree. crochet is my mental health care. My son loves telling people mummy made them! No chocolates on the tree this year for the first time and no one is missing them and my little boy will be gifted plenty.
So beautiful to see your little one watching nature through the window while you are doing your chores. Watching nature is so calming and learn so much. Life is so simple and beautiful the choice is up to us ❤
You are so good for my soul! I did not send cards this year but I did greet lots of people online. I bought all charity shop presents and wrapped them in brown paper. Through agreement that’s what I received too. I made more time for playing and chatting with family and I worried less about everywhere looking pristine! 🥰🌻💛
I have requested that people do not buy me things! I make a bread and give it as gifts and am inviting people to do the same! My sister already gave me a bread pudding that brought back so many memories! I requested it from her from now on! Those are the kinds of gifts, memories & experiences! How about trading dinner at each other’s house! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Xo
I wear many hats in the school where I have taught for the past 36 years… the hats seem to get bigger at this time of the year. While I find Christmas in the school system requires extra energy, it is very heartwarming and fulfilling to create special experiences for young people, many of whom rely on school to make this time of the year fun and memorable. In my sewing classes we made really fancy aprons for gifts. We also made sock snowmen and fabric yoyo mini Christmas trees which was very creative and relaxing. Now-a-days most students do not have sewing or crafting supplies in their homes so I try to go the extra mile to provide materials and supplies for relaxing crafty projects in the classroom. The highlight, for me, is when they want to model their apron and their decorations for a photo in the classroom… this is very rewarding. The Winter Break has started now and I am unwinding with my own crafty projects at home. It’s -25ºc outside here in the wilderness of northern 🇨🇦. It’s a good day to be indoors and enjoying a slow morning. Thanks for this charming video today Niamh. Enjoy the Winter Solstice, and Merry Christmas to you and your family. I look forward to seeing you here in 2023. 💦🌎Ⓜary💕🎄⛄
@@iriswelch3553 I resurrected the sewing program 12 years ago when I left my PE teaching days due to aging body parts. The sewing program was dead, but it only took me one school year to get it back up and running. Kids love to learn how to sew, and they love to make and repair things. It’s a great teaching gig!! Thanks for taking the time to leave your positive comment. Have a great day and Happy Holidays to you from 🇨🇦. Ⓜ️ary
How lovely to see you here in Fairyland, Mary! 🧚♀♥ I love reading your comments. I think you must be such an awesome teacher! Actually no....I KNOW you are an AMAZING teacher!!! Happy Holidays to you and yours. 💝🤩
I always plant carrots along with other veg in my small planters, what a treat to pull the Christmas carrots for our Christmas dinner, it's those little moments that simplify what life is for. Happy new year to you xx
Tiff I understand what you want to do to put Jesus Yeshua first. The tree and the star is origin is pagan. Just reasearch it. Saturnalia, Jule, not the Saviors Birthday.
Hello from a small island off the coast of southern Rhode Island in The United States. 23 years ago my husband and I made the decision to live a more authentic and calmer life. We left our corporate jobs, bought a small business and moved to a small island. Recently it got even better as we sold our business and retired. We have been practicing simple abundance and gratitude. You are so right so slow down and pair back. Taking away the pressure of conforming to outside pressure is a gift we can give to ourselves. It’s lovely to hear a see a young woman grasping these concepts. It took my husband a little longer however since we have everything has slowed down. Thank you for sharing your beautiful fairy cottage and happy solstice.
A couple of things I've done to take the pressure off around this time of year (after having children) is I bought cloth bags to "wrap" gifts in. We also have many friends who have given us hand me downs for our boys that we save if they don't fit in our home and use them for a Holiday to cut down on costs.
We started Christmas in the last two weeks of November this year. We put up the decorations and did a Christmassy thing or two each week, instead of trying cram all the fun traditions into the last two weeks of December. We made shortbread, fudge, truffles, and decorated some ginger snaps, visited a light display, read christmas books and watched a couple of Christmas movies, took long walks and did our crafts, all spread out over the 6 weeks. I did all my fairly minimal Christmas presents and other prep really early in the first 2 weeks of November and then didn't visit any shops (aside from groceries) or do any social media for more than 6 weeks. It was utter bliss. I also took 2 weeks off work over Christmas. I was loathe to get back to the day to day afterwards lol.
We have learned to simplify at Christmas by having minimal decorations, just a little tree indoors and a nice wreath outside on the fence. One nice cake for Christmas dessert instead of loads of baking and sweets. No Christmas cards sent out except for out of province family. There is no stress with simplifying and focusing on what is important, time with family and reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas whatever that means to you. Wishing you, Terry, and your little fairy, peace & joy this holiday season🎄❄️💕
It brought tears of delight to my eyes to see your little one so mesmerized by the birds. Oh how I remember those days when my two adult daughters were that age... 🙂❤🎄
Thank you for your wonderful videos. I have enjoyed watching them all, but I have not commented. Your life is so similar to the way I want my life to be. I make so many more things now than I used to, and try to limit unnecessary packaging, packaged goods, and all that. I have simplified my decorating this year, as well. We have no parties to go to, and my siblings and I are not going to exchange gifts. I feel so relaxed and happy! This is such a wonderful way to live.
I just loved this. I had the same mental clarity this year. My husband and I decided to forego multiple unnecessary Christmas parties, and to get fewer Christmas presents, to buy/make those presents early, and to decorate our house much earlier. It is so much more sustainable for me and for the first time in 5 years, I have enjoyed the holiday season so much. Thank you for sharing this message in an over busy world! ❤
My husband and I have taken the pressure off by deciding not to give or receive gifts except for the little ones in our family. We have also started a new tradition that we hope to continue, which is going on a walk, collecting sticks and using them to make the star for the top of the tree. And similar to you Niamh, we have kept our decorations to a minimum!
Keep it simple and letting go the pressure on you, is perfect. It is what I want for this christmas time, to do little things and feel no pressure for one side or another. Little things like look at the sky, look at birds and green grass. How nice to teach the little human being to contemplate birds better than TV. or to look at fireplace and meditate with flames. Thank you for sharing this still place. I also live in a village close to mountains a priviledge and get used to silence, never sufficiently appreciated. These videos have something of that silence and stillness. keep going. thanks
Hier, je suis partie faire une marche seule. J’ai écouté trois médiation. Une pour me recentrer, une pour lâcher prise et une pour me donner de l’énergie. Cette pause m’a redonnée vie ! On a diminuer les cadeau, les décorations. Cet après midis au lieu de faire les magasins ou mon ménage, je pars prendre un café avec ... moi !
Thankyou, you bought memories back of the first xmases with my babies, no money, but the preciousness of those memories is priceless, enjoy every moment xxxxxxx
It's been a really tough year for me-- my health has been devastated by a toxic mold exposure from conditions in a home I have been renting for five years. I'm displaced from my home (grateful for the friends hosting me) and that means neither my children have a place to come for the holidays nor do I have access to my belongings including our Christmas items -- so--- I've rented an AirBNB nearest two of the three sons and we are just going to make some traditional foods and spend TIME together--board games, drink, movies -- laughter, love and hugs!
How sweet it is for this cute wee fairy growing up in this cosy, little cottage surrounded by forrests and nature! Absolutely dreamy. Personally, it's been three very difficult years for me. Insecurity, daily anxiety, the pandemic and fearing for my loved ones. For the past decade, as many young adults today, I've been under constant pressure to "succeed", when I actually just long for a quiet and simple, minimal lifestyle. I am turning 30 in a few weeks and I am ready to focus on a slower pace of life, being grateful for my family and a safe, comfortable home. Animals bring me the biggest joy. We have four dogs in the family total, which I think about when I need to cheer myself up. A quote that has been on my mind a lot this past year is "it's always darkest before dawn."
Wow. Fresh brussel sprouts! Plus, I love those angel bells. "We don't have to over function for everybody else ". Exactly. For me; I'm hanging out with my cat, Burt. My best childhood friend is coming in from Atlanta and I'm spending Christmas Eve with my remaining brother and his family. His wife has debilitating cancer so this Christmas will be bittersweet.
I am blessed to have a place for my grown sons to use to transition in their moves. One to a new apartment nearby and the other off to Michigan with his bride to a new job after completing his PhD, So blessed. So, lots of their belongings everywhere so a little less decorating but that is just fine. Mantle, stockings, a decorated tree. No outside lighting this year... just lighting indoors. All good. I am blessed to have your videos for that quiet 'me time' at the end of the day. Thank you and Merry Christmas to you , your little fairy and your husband.
Hello FairyFolks ! I did not know you had a Green House....wonderful. Just want to say we do not Celebrate Christmas in December. I believe this time of year is when Mary was visited by Gabriel with the Annunciation. A little.different, but we are still celebrating, just with a different thought process. p.s. I wish you could have been my Mom. Blessings to you and yours.....
Hello, Niamh. Merry Christmas! So good to see you and your lovely family again. We have our daughter and SIL coming to see us this year, onboard, so to take the pressure off I have decided not to bake Christmas sweets. I love preparing the dinner and puttering for three days making chutney, stock, stuffing, and all, but the idea of baking felt overwhelming so I decided I wouldn't. This makes me feel guilt-free! See you in the new year and all the best to you and yours in 2023 from our sailboat in BC Canada to your home
How beautiful...how relaxing... Calming...your little fairy.. adorable xx have a wonderful time all together.. making memories... Priceless and precious...
I am so glad you shared this I hope everyone will take it to heart for I would have loved to have grasped this truth when I was your age.I so enjoyed your little one chiming in God bless and keep you. ❤
Learning to slow down, simplify, quiet my soul, and just be content, with no striving, no over-doing, no dashing around, has made my holidays so much richer and less frenetic…thank you for so sweetly sharing your lovely life with us!
I love the idea of the tower too, I will remember it for when my baby will be around the same age as Niamh’s baby! ❤️ (I’m expecting our baby in 7 weeks from now)
I like to see you quietly piling up your daily routine.That is peaceful, warm and beautiful it.calms me down.Also, I respect your sustainable and simple housework. Have a Christmas with the sweet honey fairy and the perfect family.🌲
It's so lovely to listen as you embrace all the wonderful ways our littles teach us. My sons are grown now, but I fondly remember all the times I was able to be really present with them, to play, love and hug them. There were times of chaos, too, with three sons, after all, but they are such lovely adults that I like to think they gleaned unconditional love from their childhoods that has been foundational for them. Enjoy her and happy solstice to all of you!
Oh Denise, I needed to read your comment on this night. It blessed my heart. I have three sons and some days can be chaotic, especially with homeschooling and always together. Today was one of them. We're worn out missing Daddy as we're a UPS family and it is December 21. But I've always aimed to be present and to truly embrace it all and I hope as they grow they will be able to say they always felt unconditional love as your sons live with today. Blessings to you.
I de-stress the holidays by giving items I already have, or which came from a thrift store or yard sale. I squirrel things away over the course of a year , or two, and so don't have to do much holiday shopping.. For example, my artist brother-in-law I gifted the Frida Cahlo photograph book that, coincidentally, accompanied an exhibit he had attended. Moreover, the book was already a used book when gifted to me. At least four people have gotten to enjoy the perfect gift, so far! Family heirlooms or pictures, vintage clothing, things you just don't use or have enjoyed enough already-these make the best gifts, and they are almost free. The lack of financial pressure alone makes this worth trying.
My soul and mind Pine for the simplistic. My heart aches to be living in a still quiet sanctuary. Thank you for bringing just a touch of this to my day.
My life is filled with homemade Christmas and still putting up food. Citrus is plentiful and cranberries too. Sewing and knitting, keeping the wood stove going, and trying to keep the whole enjoyment of the beauty all around me in mind. Your stars are lovely! My old boss, whom I adore, told me I’d be starkers bored a few months after I retired…oh how wrong she was! There’s so much I can do…I have to rein myself in!
Sitting by the fire with a fur baby at my feet, all are sleeping and now it’s time I start the water for tea and coffee. Thank you for posting, your stories are inspiring.
We've been living away the last two Christmases, so we've had to really simplify everything - gifts, decorations, expectations. My kids (7-14) have had very little negative to say. They really don't miss anything. Even in the four years prior, we were only "home" for a couple weeks at Christmas. I've tried to make up for the lack of "normal" activities by finding more in our community, and now that's what we look forward to, seeing what we can find. It really takes the pressure off trying to remember all the usual activities and having all the supplies on hand and all the decorations in all the right places. I even let my kids completely decorate the tree yesterday, and I didn't fix a thing. LOL
We use Christmas fabric sacks instead of wrapping. I bought them 4years ago and they are still in great shape. It saves on money and on waste. Wishing you and your lovely family and very peaceful Christmas!
Thank you so much for this video! I really needed the reminder of not feeling the need to do everything that comes along. I am learning more and more that certain things are more important than others...I really have plans for the new year to slow down and to really remove a lot of clutter from my life. I have been feeling so overwhelmed lately and I know that if i simplify things that it will greatly improve my mental health and help me to function better! I hope you have a lovely and peaceful Christmas with your sweet little family! Love Kathryn
Love apples! I am using this week to slow down and give myself time to renew me and to worship - it's Christ-mas. I did 2 outreach parties for kids. Very special. Been feeling now, though, that I just need to be alone. Solitude. Love the calm at Fairyland.
Thanks so much! That's very sweet of you! I cannot use Nicegram on my devices - that's the message I got when I tried to download the app. Never mind, I am sure someone else can benefit...
Watching this video every morning is helping keep the pressure off. Thank you for reminding us every day to keep it simple, and that the important thing is the connection. Thank you so much. My mantra every day is "Calm Christmas"
You were missed! I am so glad you’re back. Since we returned back to work after COVID I have been stressed out to the max, slowing down with you is my remedy against all that.
Every child should have a nature television!! The last child in the woods is a book you would love. Really speaks of the nature deficit children today suffer from. I am glad mine grew up in the woods and without television as well.
Thank you - I just love your beautiful videos. You are such a wonderful, natural Mum to your little Fairy. The look out tower that your husband built for her, is such a brilliant idea. The fact that she loves watching the birds, instead of the tv, shows what a nature loving fairy she is, thanks to her parents. I spent my Christmas's alone, with my rescue black greyhound Madge, and it is a time that I think of all the folk that have gone before, so is quite a sad time for me, I must be truthful. But I do watch a bit of tv, and love seeing real life folk enjoying themselves, I live my life through them I suppose. I also watch a lot of you tube channels, and find them very healing. I am just so thankful that I am still here, and hope that I can help others, because that brings me great joy. I want to send you a warm loving hug for Christmas, and thank you for what you show to all of us, as I am sure I speak for all of us here, in that we love what you do, and find true inspiration from you, to live a more simple life. Love from Devon, England. xxx
I have also been making Christmas cards by cutting up old ones! Another sustainable thing I have done this year is to buy quite a few secondhand gifts from charity shops. Really enjoy your videos, have a lovely Christmas with your family.
I feel so touched with the images , with your reflexion and all this delicate sounds around... All I can say is that your message is healing, it comes in a very delicate moment. And in two days we have summer here in the south. I observe bees, birds, plants, the sky, the wind, sun , moon and stars, trying to learn how they adapt to keep living even with all changes in climate and the fragile balance of the Earth. May all of us follow your precious words and directions, may all of us calm our hearts and minds, listening, looking and moving toward real Life respect . Have a lovely Christmas, lovely family!🌱❤💚🍃
I also made a toilet roll star/snowflake this year. Another use for toilet paper rolls. Roll up a clump of waste paper (I use old documents and bills instead of shredding them, or old brown paper bag bits) for good fire starters under other kindling. Also, they make good cutworm collars on brassicas in the garden if you have a problem with cutworms.
Ahhhh....Thanks for the Easy Flow moments. Here are a couple of sayings from long ago that I find helpful AND enjoyable.- "One who knows that enough is enough will always have enough" "One who always seeks the "special taste "will often be disappointed but One who tastes" the taste that IS" will always be rewarded!" En-Joy (put Joy into) your life! 🌈
Hi … I am visiting daughter and family in Phoenix, Az. It is a very busy family. I live in Florida with a much slower life style. I love my a very quiet life, but of course never miss my visits with the grandkids. A very Merry Christmas.🎄🎄
You bring so much more than you will probably ever know. For me living in a world that's spinning so crazy I love what you say and I wish I could put your words in to my actions 🥰
I really couldn't agree more with you, dear Niamh. Especially during this time of the year everything gets so hectic even though it is supposed to slow down. Everything has to get done, everything needs to be finished, we need to be everywhere at the same time. Sometimes it is important to listen to our own needs and just say no. A couple of years ago I started taking a long weekend off the week before Christmas - the most unusual time of the year to do this. I would book a nice trip to some quiet, remote location and just find calm and peace while the outside world is rushing past. So guess where I am right now, sipping a cup of hot tea while watching your video 💕 In fact, in my latest video I touched on very similar topics because I feel many people need to hear this 💕 Sending much love from very cold and snowy Germany to green Ireland ❤
My heart is full reading all the comments! Thank you all so much for sharing your heart with us all here. 😊❤
Thank you for the healthy, freeing reminder ... I have noticed that I get panic attacks when I try to be too normal. I mean to say, when I try too hard to live up to what I think other people expect of me...
What is important for me this Christmas is to create a fairytale Christmas, one that feels like a real fairytale world with little bells, acorns and fairy songs. I guess everyone needs to find out what their fairytale Christmas contains, but for me it needs to feel magical within.
Happy winter solstice! (soon!) and a magical Christmas to you!
Warmth from Nenne in Sweden
Such a lovely video, your message of taking life more slowly and keeping things simple is such a lovely message for all of us to reflect upon.
I just love your life and your home.
@@nennepanrikefairytaleart4773 beautiful!! Such awareness you have. Here’s to a fairytale Christmas and winter solstice ❤
Skipping hosting the party with Friendz .. skipping the Family gathering hullabaloo.. gona make a nativity scene out of tp rollz & cardboard box w My 5 year old & see how the 1&3/4 year old playz along. Absolutely, Yes, it iz enough
" it's ok if people are disappointed. People can handle being disappointed." This is deeply profound.
7:39am here in Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦. Sitting quietly with a warm cuppa coffee in hand. The warmth of the fireplace and the stillness around me is so comforting. There will be 25 of us here today. All of my grown children, their partners, and their children (my grandchildren) will be celebrating Christmas early. We choose to do this every year as they all have so much travelling to do on Christmas Day. I choose not to add the stress of having to come see us as well. We don’t do gifts to each other any longer. We donate to a local non profit. We play games. We eat and celebrate and enjoy a stress free gathering. This has become our all time favourite celebration of family, love, and peacefully full hearts.
Will it get noisy and boisterous? Most definitely! But the smiles warm my heart, the laughter fills my souls, and being together is what makes this season so magical.
Wishing you and your family warm greetings, a magical Christmas of your own, peace in your hearts, and unconditional love
🎄❄️💙
Merry Christmas
My family did the same thing for Thanksgiving here and will do for Christmas. It's the best!
I love all of this!! I love when our family get together and play loads of fun games. My hubby isn’t use to it but he has a ball too 😂❤️
@@ca6177 Merry Christmas to you and your family🎄
@@SerendipityNJ Merry Christmas🎄
@@FairylandCottage Have the Merriest Christmas with your wee fairy and the hubby🎄
I prefer to look at the holiday as not a Christian one but a Winter Solstice celebration of the dark days which holds the sparkle of life deep within. So color, candles, aromatic scents, baking smells, stories, gifts and shared comfort of being inside, safe from winter's chill.
For a real Christian, every day is Christmas. I have always celebrated it, but not as a religious holiday, just a day of food, family, fun and presents. Bonus if we have kittens that year! (Christmas is in summer here.)
@@thatswhatisaid8908 So if you're a 'real christian', you give away all your money to the poor, you turn the other cheek in confrontation, you love your neighbor as yourself, you visit the people in prison, you help strangers, you come to serve. Good on you!
I was sitting here stressing about Christmas and what I haven’t done yet and here is your video to calm me down 😊
Annnnd breath 😊❤
Have you listened to the podcast “Calm Christmas” by Beth Kempton? It’s so beautiful try starting with the older ones and working your way forward. Or simply listen to the 1 hour esp. for 2022. Highly recommend
You took the words out of my mouth! Whew…
The Cranberries - Ode To My Family (Official Music Video) Love y’all and love your channel and yur little fairy!!!
Sharing The Cranberries, one of several Irish bands I love so much!!!
the winter bomb calmed you down , for sure .... enjoy it if you have electricity ... hahhahah
"People can handle being disappointed." I didn't know that I needed to hear this until you said it. Thank you!
This year we've told everyone absolutely NO gift giving, including our grandchildren.
It's getting increasingly more difficult to buy for people who already have houses bulging at the seems with 'stuff' and children who have every toy going.
So, this year we've put our foot down.
It's also Summer here in NZ, so we typically forgo Christmas celebrations and celebrate the Summer Solstice by packing a picnic and getting right away into the wilds to have a quiet day in nature.
Hubby will take his fishing rod, I'll take a book and soak up the peace and calm.
It's a perfect way to spend Christmas day and we feel no guilt whatsoever at not joining in with big noisy xmas days.
Oh and....ditching social media....Best. Thing. Ever.
Blessings x
I love this…and I love your profile name 🥰❤️
Your little one is so lucky to have you as a mother. What a rich life she’s going to live. Everything she touches will turn to gold. ❤
"I dream my painting and then paint my dream." Vincent Van Gogh
I don t think so
I think one of the easiest ways to take pressure off is to let go of expectations. So many times we want things to go a certain way and it puts other people under pressure, too. And then we tend to get hurt or angry if things don’t go the way we expected. I think accepting the ebb and flow of family life as families grow is important through the holidays.
You have truly helped me with what you said above. The right thing at exactly the right time.
@@carollennon3522 💙
Thank you for this :)
So so important Rachel… I always have to remember that one. Especially with my hubby ☺️🤗
I taken the pressure of buying presents and learning that around this time less is more. More rest and relaxing and less on going to many events. Merry Christmas and Happy holidays
You make motherhood so beautiful and peaceful 🥰🥰
This video is the polar opposite to others, not just at Christmas. As I look out at the birds at my feeder, the minimal winter decorations, I am so grateful in my cozy home. For a moment I stopped fretting about goals and money, etc.
Im so happy that you have the additional fairy to your family!🤗👼🧚♂️
I actually dread Christmas every year finding it too chaotic and commercialised and I’m much happier just ‘being’ in the moment as much as we can. Quiet moments of calm restore me from our every busy world we live in. Sending much love to you and your dear family, stay well and keep warm x💕
Yes. I get you. Why are you keeping traditions, doing what the world does? Where does that come from? Not from the our Savior that is not born that day. Research and see. Listen in the quite moment. He will tell you through the Breath of life.
It has all gone too far eh! I’m like you Barbara. I love just ‘being’ in the moment and leave the rest ❤
It seems like so many miss what Christmas is
The birth of Jesus
Came back this year to watch this wonderful video again!
Awh so nice! I’m watching it now too to remind myself ❤😅
I have all the supplies and ingredients to make doughnuts. This year I have reached out to my nieces, nephews, and friends who have young children and cannot easily get out for a visit during the holidays. I am making plans to come to their house and bring my travelling doughnut making kit. I think it will be super fun to visit while making and decorating doughnuts, and when I leave everybody will have enjoyed a sweet treat and a fun time in the kitchen. It’s going to be awesome!! Thanks, Niamh, for allowing me to share my thoughts and ideas here in this space. i love the comments and the kind words that people contribute. 💦🌎Ⓜary🍩🍩
Ohh donuts! Please come to my house! 😅
I actually just bought a donut making oven tin and I made some recently and they were way yummier than I expected!
@@FairylandCottage Yah, I make the baked ones too. I got the trays this past summer because we had so many zucchini in the garden and I found a recipe for vegan Chocloate Zucchini Doughnuts. I covered them with a drizzle of Chocolate Coffee Maple Glaze… so fun and what a treat. If I lived closer (like even on the same continent), you can bet I would bring my travelling doughnut road show to your house for sure!! Ⓜary🍩🍩
What a great idea!!
@@sharonw4541 Thanks for your sharing your positivity Sharon. Happy Holidays to you from 🇨🇦. Ⓜ️ary
Hello from Brazil. Here it's summer time, lots of sunlight and blue skies. Since I'm pregnant, it was essential to let go the pressure, calm down and take it slowly. The pregnancy itself is a teaching moment of body respect and priorities. I have learned so much this year. Now I'm living each moment of each day, because overthinkig the future can lead to ansiety. So, as a cristian, i put it all in the hand of the Lord, hoping for the best and trusting his love. My baby may be born in the next 2 or 3 weeks. But right now, I'm perfectly happy feelig his movements, having him with me. The internet is full of information and I have read a lot, but now, I'm choosing to live each day, with its little pains and joys.
This couldn't have come at a better time. "Come back to ourselves.....you don't have to function for everyone else."
I love Irland and seeing you raising a whole healthy connected child. We came out of practice of Christmas. Jesus wasn't born that time. Love Him to much to make this about mens tradition. He gave us all creation to care for and enjoy, make music, show love maybe through visiting, listening, sharing a meal or cup of tea. He gave us 7 wonderful feasts in his Word.
I am trying not to stress over my house being super clean...I clean once a week and it is only 2 of us here now. Also, the Christmas decorations are minimal. I try to rest more. I am a nervous person and I am constantly searching for peace. 💓
I am a very nervous person too. It is a daily job/duty ( whatever you call it) for me to be peaceful and not have anxiety overtake me
I can relate Elise! ❤
It is much nicer to do less and smaller decorations and just being still and quiet with a comforting cup of tea. After all, I believe that's what this time of year is really about. Not bug expectations, but just ease and peace and togetherness with those you love....whether people or pets
This year I had to have emergency spine surgery. So we didn’t get the decorations up until this last Tuesday. We took it easy. Only put up the tree and the stockings. Left the villages and garland for next year. Very light on presents as there is nothing we need. Ordered from the bakery all the breads and fun baked goods since I am unable to be in the kitchen cooking and baking away. That’s ok. I ordered plenty of food and treats. We will be ok! We have a warm roof over our head for this upcoming storm this weekend. Food in the house and plenty of wine! What more can we ask for except to be all together safe and sound. That’s perfect for me! ❤
Chestnut soup is one of my once a year treats. I go to a local restaurant to enjoy it.
You wee one is so mellow. I love the atmosphere in the home.
I’m sitting here, grateful. Many of my projects for 2022 failed, it is not important. One can do only so much. Projects are a mere guideline. Life happens. I watch my renovated reclaimed bird feeding house, everyone picking and chatting in there, even the doves find it lovely. The house is ready for Christmas, I’ll be working on Christmas, but I’ll have time in front of the fireplace, the carols, maybe get my old flute and play and sing a bit for the holy child. My mantlepiece is decorated with a 20 year old garland and little lights, I gave most of my decorations away and keep it simple now. Home made Christmas biscuits and cake, also for the elderly and dependant clients of mine, I love to share some of my german traditions at this time of the year here in France. But there are mincepies, too, and the classic 13 desserts of France, mostly dried fruit and nuts, and mulled wine. We’ll have a peaceful New year, I’ll have 3 days off with à bit more time to rest and contemplate then. Have a wonderful Christmas!
I say no to NYE every year, I love it! I have a little party with myself and are all snuggled up before midnight 😁
Merry Christmas 🌻❤️
It’s summer here on my side of the world, however the warm weather hasn’t arrived yet. I love what you did with those toilet rolls. I will make some for us during the week. We lost our home and everything to the bushfires a couple of years back, so all my decorations were destroyed. We are in our new home now and living with much less stuff. Still I find things I just don’t need so I let it go. My joy is my stitching each evening, no television,although my husband cannot live without it. Blessings Gail.🇦🇺
It's not about what we've done, but literally WHO we are. What our presence radiates.
PS: I went through the comments, so much love pouring in here, it is heartwarming and touching ! From all over the world, and cold Canada… adding my little light to brighten there with all my love
I've really missed your videos! This is the busiest time of year for me at work, so I'm only now getting to watch. It's so nice to take a few minutes in peace to listen to you. Happy new year!
Because the days are so short as we approach Winter solstice , I sometimes go out into an open field in the late afternoon sunlight to look at my long shadows. It can be fun to play with long shadows and also thought provoking when I think of the shadow of myself which I keep hidden from the rest of the world.
Thank you for this video. "People can handle being disappointed" My manager offered me a different job Friday afternoon. It's a very good job, but it is not nearly as flexible as my current position. I would also be working more during my husband's very busy, stressful work season (tax season). I have been feeling bad this weekend for making the decision to turn down this opportunity, as I know this will cause a lot of disappointment at work. However, I think continuing with my simple life and current job, with it's less demands and so much flexibility, is the best decision for me and my family. Your video helps me let the guilt go, knowing that it's ok to cause some disappointment to others. Merry Christmas, Happy solstice to you and your family 🎄🎄🤶🤶😊😊😊⛄⛄⛄🙏✨🎂
You made the right decision. Loving yourself and your family is far way more important. Let the guilt go, soon, you won t even remember. But other blessings will have come your way…
@@odilegabayengel4192 this is so kind, thank you. Oh the guilt, when I'm an empath, is very real when I know I will be disappointing people at work who have been so kind to me. But you're right, I have to put me and my family first. Merry Christmas 🙏🙏🎅
Good on you!!
You deserve to do what's right for you and your family ❤️ sending love and light to you!
I love the little princess tower to the window to watch the birds!! She is precious. People have forgotten what this time of year is about and thus stress themselves out, not over meaning of the day, but what the commercial industry has set aside as what it should be and most people buy (literally and figuratively) into this time and year and thus stress. Remember what this time of year is about, drop the rest and destress....
I've seen a handful of RUclips videos of tours of homes decorated for Christmas. Hands down, yours is the most beautiful. It speaks to my soul in a way that none of the "Michael's and Hobby Lobby"-decorated homes ever could. Not that those aren't beautiful, in their own way, in some people's eyes. But your use of natural elements and your slow, peaceful pace of bringing it all together are just what I craved at this time of year. Thank you, and Merry Christmas to your family and the Little Fairy!
Thanks so much 😊
I really missed you and I am grateful you made the time to meet us here. But I understand and I know, as a grandmother, that you can never get that time back. 💕💓
I have cut back on the decorations this year. I have crocheted some baubles for the Christmas tree. crochet is my mental health care. My son loves telling people mummy made them! No chocolates on the tree this year for the first time and no one is missing them and my little boy will be gifted plenty.
Hi haven't been on your channel for a while, Good to see you an your wonderful family,hope your all well,thanks for the great vlog 😊 ❤❤❤🧡
So beautiful to see your little one watching nature through the window while you are doing your chores.
Watching nature is so calming and learn so much.
Life is so simple and beautiful the choice is up to us ❤
It really is up to us eh ❤
Thank you for a wonderful visit. Happy Holiday to you and your Family. May God Bless you all in the new year
You are so good for my soul! I did not send cards this year but I did greet lots of people online. I bought all charity shop presents and wrapped them in brown paper. Through agreement that’s what I received too. I made more time for playing and chatting with family and I worried less about everywhere looking pristine!
🥰🌻💛
I have requested that people do not buy me things! I make a bread and give it as gifts and am inviting people to do the same! My sister already gave me a bread pudding that brought back so many memories! I requested it from her from now on! Those are the kinds of gifts, memories & experiences! How about trading dinner at each other’s house! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Xo
I wear many hats in the school where I have taught for the past 36 years… the hats seem to get bigger at this time of the year. While I find Christmas in the school system requires extra energy, it is very heartwarming and fulfilling to create special experiences for young people, many of whom rely on school to make this time of the year fun and memorable. In my sewing classes we made really fancy aprons for gifts. We also made sock snowmen and fabric yoyo mini Christmas trees which was very creative and relaxing. Now-a-days most students do not have sewing or crafting supplies in their homes so I try to go the extra mile to provide materials and supplies for relaxing crafty projects in the classroom. The highlight, for me, is when they want to model their apron and their decorations for a photo in the classroom… this is very rewarding. The Winter Break has started now and I am unwinding with my own crafty projects at home. It’s -25ºc outside here in the wilderness of northern 🇨🇦. It’s a good day to be indoors and enjoying a slow morning. Thanks for this charming video today Niamh. Enjoy the Winter Solstice, and Merry Christmas to you and your family. I look forward to seeing you here in 2023. 💦🌎Ⓜary💕🎄⛄
Sounds gorgeous Mary. Kids proud of their creations. 😊
Enjoy a winter of crafts and joy! ❤
It is wonderful that your school still teaches sewing. Here in the US many people can't even sew on a button or fix a hem!
@@iriswelch3553 I resurrected the sewing program 12 years ago when I left my PE teaching days due to aging body parts. The sewing program was dead, but it only took me one school year to get it back up and running. Kids love to learn how to sew, and they love to make and repair things. It’s a great teaching gig!! Thanks for taking the time to leave your positive comment. Have a great day and Happy Holidays to you from 🇨🇦. Ⓜ️ary
@@marycharlebois6627 Excellent!
How lovely to see you here in Fairyland, Mary! 🧚♀♥ I love reading your comments. I think you must be such an awesome teacher! Actually no....I KNOW you are an AMAZING teacher!!! Happy Holidays to you and yours. 💝🤩
I always plant carrots along with other veg in my small planters, what a treat to pull the Christmas carrots for our Christmas dinner, it's those little moments that simplify what life is for. Happy new year to you xx
Agree, take it all in with the little ones because you can't go back and retrieve lost moments.
I’m putting our Savior at the top of the tree as the Star on the tree represents Light of the world.. and have given away anything that I do not need
Tiff I understand what you want to do to put Jesus Yeshua first. The tree and the star is origin is pagan. Just reasearch it. Saturnalia, Jule, not the Saviors Birthday.
Hello from a small island off the coast of southern Rhode Island in The United States. 23 years ago my husband and I made the decision to live a more authentic and calmer life. We left our corporate jobs, bought a small business and moved to a small island. Recently it got even better as we sold our business and retired. We have been practicing simple abundance and gratitude. You are so right so slow down and pair back. Taking away the pressure of conforming to outside pressure is a gift we can give to ourselves. It’s lovely to hear a see a young woman grasping these concepts. It took my husband a little longer however since we have everything has slowed down. Thank you for sharing your beautiful fairy cottage and happy solstice.
A couple of things I've done to take the pressure off around this time of year (after having children) is I bought cloth bags to "wrap" gifts in. We also have many friends who have given us hand me downs for our boys that we save if they don't fit in our home and use them for a Holiday to cut down on costs.
Awww I love her sweet little head and her little hands 😍😍😍😍😍 we are not worrying about the house getting messy
Hehe good for you! Embracing mess is an art! 🥰❤️
We started Christmas in the last two weeks of November this year. We put up the decorations and did a Christmassy thing or two each week, instead of trying cram all the fun traditions into the last two weeks of December. We made shortbread, fudge, truffles, and decorated some ginger snaps, visited a light display, read christmas books and watched a couple of Christmas movies, took long walks and did our crafts, all spread out over the 6 weeks. I did all my fairly minimal Christmas presents and other prep really early in the first 2 weeks of November and then didn't visit any shops (aside from groceries) or do any social media for more than 6 weeks. It was utter bliss. I also took 2 weeks off work over Christmas. I was loathe to get back to the day to day afterwards lol.
We have learned to simplify at Christmas by having minimal decorations, just a little tree indoors and a nice wreath outside on the fence. One nice cake for Christmas dessert instead of loads of baking and sweets. No Christmas cards sent out except for out of province family. There is no stress with simplifying and focusing on what is important, time with family and reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas whatever that means to you. Wishing you, Terry, and your little fairy, peace & joy this holiday season🎄❄️💕
What a lucky little fairy to live in such a beautiful place 🧚♀️ 💗. She is precious. I love this uplifting channel. I'm so glad you are back.
It brought tears of delight to my eyes to see your little one so mesmerized by the birds. Oh how I remember those days when my two adult daughters were that age... 🙂❤🎄
Thank you for your wonderful videos. I have enjoyed watching them all, but I have not commented. Your life is so similar to the way I want my life to be. I make so many more things now than I used to, and try to limit unnecessary packaging, packaged goods, and all that. I have simplified my decorating this year, as well. We have no parties to go to, and my siblings and I are not going to exchange gifts. I feel so relaxed and happy! This is such a wonderful way to live.
I just loved this. I had the same mental clarity this year. My husband and I decided to forego multiple unnecessary Christmas parties, and to get fewer Christmas presents, to buy/make those presents early, and to decorate our house much earlier. It is so much more sustainable for me and for the first time in 5 years, I have enjoyed the holiday season so much. Thank you for sharing this message in an over busy world! ❤
My husband and I have taken the pressure off by deciding not to give or receive gifts except for the little ones in our family. We have also started a new tradition that we hope to continue, which is going on a walk, collecting sticks and using them to make the star for the top of the tree. And similar to you Niamh, we have kept our decorations to a minimum!
Keep it simple and letting go the pressure on you, is perfect. It is what I want for this christmas time, to do little things and feel no pressure for one side or another. Little things like look at the sky, look at birds and green grass. How nice to teach the little human being to contemplate birds better than TV. or to look at fireplace and meditate with flames. Thank you for sharing this still place. I also live in a village close to mountains a priviledge and get used to silence, never sufficiently appreciated. These videos have something of that silence and stillness. keep going. thanks
Hier, je suis partie faire une marche seule. J’ai écouté trois médiation. Une pour me recentrer, une pour lâcher prise et une pour me donner de l’énergie. Cette pause m’a redonnée vie ! On a diminuer les cadeau, les décorations. Cet après midis au lieu de faire les magasins ou mon ménage, je pars prendre un café avec ... moi !
Looking at the birds in the morning is one of my favorite activities too! :)
How calming your voice is...thank you for the gift of these videos.
Thank you Jacquelyn for being here
What better way to start a Sunday morning with coffee ☕️ and a tranquil vlog . Thank you and Merry Christmas ✨🎄🙏🏻🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍
Awh ☺️ merry Christmas to you too ☺️🎄❄️⛄️
Thankyou, you bought memories back of the first xmases with my babies, no money, but the preciousness of those memories is priceless, enjoy every moment xxxxxxx
It's been a really tough year for me-- my health has been devastated by a toxic mold exposure from conditions in a home I have been renting for five years. I'm displaced from my home (grateful for the friends hosting me) and that means neither my children have a place to come for the holidays nor do I have access to my belongings including our Christmas items -- so--- I've rented an AirBNB nearest two of the three sons and we are just going to make some traditional foods and spend TIME together--board games, drink, movies -- laughter, love and hugs!
Aw your little one is so adorable, so calm and so cute. She is so lucky to have been and raised in such calm and beautiful environment.💛
How sweet it is for this cute wee fairy growing up in this cosy, little cottage surrounded by forrests and nature! Absolutely dreamy.
Personally, it's been three very difficult years for me. Insecurity, daily anxiety, the pandemic and fearing for my loved ones. For the past decade, as many young adults today, I've been under constant pressure to "succeed", when I actually just long for a quiet and simple, minimal lifestyle. I am turning 30 in a few weeks and I am ready to focus on a slower pace of life, being grateful for my family and a safe, comfortable home. Animals bring me the biggest joy. We have four dogs in the family total, which I think about when I need to cheer myself up. A quote that has been on my mind a lot this past year is "it's always darkest before dawn."
Wow. Fresh brussel sprouts! Plus, I love those angel bells. "We don't have to over function for everybody else ". Exactly. For me; I'm hanging out with my cat, Burt. My best childhood friend is coming in from Atlanta and I'm spending Christmas Eve with my remaining brother and his family. His wife has debilitating cancer so this Christmas will be bittersweet.
I am blessed to have a place for my grown sons to use to transition in their moves. One to a new apartment nearby and the other off to Michigan with his bride to a new job after completing his PhD, So blessed. So, lots of their belongings everywhere so a little less decorating but that is just fine. Mantle, stockings, a decorated tree. No outside lighting this year... just lighting indoors. All good. I am blessed to have your videos for that quiet 'me time' at the end of the day. Thank you and Merry Christmas to you , your little fairy and your husband.
Hello FairyFolks ! I did not know you had a Green House....wonderful. Just want to say we do not Celebrate Christmas in December. I believe this time of year is when Mary was visited by Gabriel with the Annunciation. A little.different, but we are still celebrating, just with a different thought process. p.s. I wish you could have been my Mom. Blessings to you and yours.....
Hello, Niamh. Merry Christmas! So good to see you and your lovely family again. We have our daughter and SIL coming to see us this year, onboard, so to take the pressure off I have decided not to bake Christmas sweets. I love preparing the dinner and puttering for three days making chutney, stock, stuffing, and all, but the idea of baking felt overwhelming so I decided I wouldn't. This makes me feel guilt-free!
See you in the new year and all the best to you and yours in 2023 from our sailboat in BC Canada to your home
THANKYOU
How beautiful...how relaxing... Calming...your little fairy.. adorable xx have a wonderful time all together.. making memories... Priceless and precious...
That “tower” is a fabulous idea - you and your husband are the most resourceful, sincere folks - these videos are priceless. Thank you 🥰
I am so glad you shared this I hope everyone will take it to heart for I would have loved to have grasped this truth when I was your age.I so enjoyed your little one chiming in God bless and keep you. ❤
Learning to slow down, simplify, quiet my soul, and just be content, with no striving, no over-doing, no dashing around, has made my holidays so much richer and less frenetic…thank you for so sweetly sharing your lovely life with us!
I like how you use the baby-carrier, it tends to calm down children a lot. I love the idea of the tower near the door❤❤
Babies and toddlers love it so much! ❤
I have a toddler tower but I never put it by the window. Imagine that. ❤ Not just for use in the kitchen. Thank you for the lovely content.
I love the idea of the tower too, I will remember it for when my baby will be around the same age as Niamh’s baby! ❤️ (I’m expecting our baby in 7 weeks from now)
@@mandy6062 that’s actually why he made it as a kitchen helper but it never got to the kitchen 😂
I like to see you quietly piling up your daily routine.That is peaceful, warm and beautiful it.calms me down.Also, I respect your sustainable and simple housework.
Have a Christmas with the sweet honey fairy and the perfect family.🌲
It's so lovely to listen as you embrace all the wonderful ways our littles teach us. My sons are grown now, but I fondly remember all the times I was able to be really present with them, to play, love and hug them. There were times of chaos, too, with three sons, after all, but they are such lovely adults that I like to think they gleaned unconditional love from their childhoods that has been foundational for them. Enjoy her and happy solstice to all of you!
So beautiful to hear that. Have a lovely time, merry christmas!
Oh Denise, I needed to read your comment on this night. It blessed my heart. I have three sons and some days can be chaotic, especially with homeschooling and always together. Today was one of them. We're worn out missing Daddy as we're a UPS family and it is December 21. But I've always aimed to be present and to truly embrace it all and I hope as they grow they will be able to say they always felt unconditional love as your sons live with today. Blessings to you.
I de-stress the holidays by giving items I already have, or which came from a thrift store or yard sale. I squirrel things away over the course of a year , or two, and so don't have to do much holiday shopping.. For example, my artist brother-in-law I gifted the Frida Cahlo photograph book that, coincidentally, accompanied an exhibit he had attended. Moreover, the book was already a used book when gifted to me. At least four people have gotten to enjoy the perfect gift, so far! Family heirlooms or pictures, vintage clothing, things you just don't use or have enjoyed enough already-these make the best gifts, and they are almost free. The lack of financial pressure alone makes this worth trying.
My soul and mind Pine for the simplistic. My heart aches to be living in a still quiet sanctuary. Thank you for bringing just a touch of this to my day.
Thank you my dear soul for being here ❤
@@FairylandCottage 💖
Oh my gosh, what a beautiful baby, those little hands reaching out. I am so glad you posted. Much love and blessings to you and your family.
My life is filled with homemade Christmas and still putting up food. Citrus is plentiful and cranberries too. Sewing and knitting, keeping the wood stove going, and trying to keep the whole enjoyment of the beauty all around me in mind. Your stars are lovely! My old boss, whom I adore, told me I’d be starkers bored a few months after I retired…oh how wrong she was! There’s so much I can do…I have to rein myself in!
Sitting by the fire with a fur baby at my feet, all are sleeping and now it’s time I start the water for tea and coffee.
Thank you for posting, your stories are inspiring.
We've been living away the last two Christmases, so we've had to really simplify everything - gifts, decorations, expectations. My kids (7-14) have had very little negative to say. They really don't miss anything. Even in the four years prior, we were only "home" for a couple weeks at Christmas. I've tried to make up for the lack of "normal" activities by finding more in our community, and now that's what we look forward to, seeing what we can find. It really takes the pressure off trying to remember all the usual activities and having all the supplies on hand and all the decorations in all the right places. I even let my kids completely decorate the tree yesterday, and I didn't fix a thing. LOL
We use Christmas fabric sacks instead of wrapping. I bought them 4years ago and they are still in great shape. It saves on money and on waste. Wishing you and your lovely family and very peaceful Christmas!
Simply beautiful to watch and listen to thank you so much for sharing
Thank you so much for this video! I really needed the reminder of not feeling the need to do everything that comes along. I am learning more and more that certain things are more important than others...I really have plans for the new year to slow down and to really remove a lot of clutter from my life. I have been feeling so overwhelmed lately and I know that if i simplify things that it will greatly improve my mental health and help me to function better! I hope you have a lovely and peaceful Christmas with your sweet little family! Love Kathryn
Love apples! I am using this week to slow down and give myself time to renew me and to worship - it's Christ-mas. I did 2 outreach parties for kids. Very special. Been feeling now, though, that I just need to be alone. Solitude. Love the calm at Fairyland.
Thanks so much! That's very sweet of you! I cannot use Nicegram on my devices - that's the message I got when I tried to download the app. Never mind, I am sure someone else can benefit...
So nice. Thank you. ❤️🙏🎄
Watching this video every morning is helping keep the pressure off. Thank you for reminding us every day to keep it simple, and that the important thing is the connection. Thank you so much. My mantra every day is "Calm Christmas"
You were missed! I am so glad you’re back. Since we returned back to work after COVID I have been stressed out to the max, slowing down with you is my remedy against all that.
Every child should have a nature television!! The last child in the woods is a book you would love. Really speaks of the nature deficit children today suffer from. I am glad mine grew up in the woods and without television as well.
I keep the pressure off by focusing on the real meaning of Christmas - the birth of Christ, not over-decorating, and staying away from the stores.
Thank you - I just love your beautiful videos. You are such a wonderful, natural Mum to your little Fairy. The look out tower that your husband built for her, is such a brilliant idea. The fact that she loves watching the birds, instead of the tv, shows what a nature loving fairy she is, thanks to her parents. I spent my Christmas's alone, with my rescue black greyhound Madge, and it is a time that I think of all the folk that have gone before, so is quite a sad time for me, I must be truthful. But I do watch a bit of tv, and love seeing real life folk enjoying themselves, I live my life through them I suppose. I also watch a lot of you tube channels, and find them very healing. I am just so thankful that I am still here, and hope that I can help others, because that brings me great joy. I want to send you a warm loving hug for Christmas, and thank you for what you show to all of us, as I am sure I speak for all of us here, in that we love what you do, and find true inspiration from you, to live a more simple life. Love from Devon, England. xxx
@@SerendipityNJ Thank you for your lovely message. I wish you too Blessings. xxx
Awh thank you Jilly, you have helped me with your comment. Sending you love and warm hugs too.
@@FairylandCottage Thank you so much for getting back to me. It means the world. xxx
I love the lookout tower for your little fairy. What a wonderful idea.
I have also been making Christmas cards by cutting up old ones! Another sustainable thing I have done this year is to buy quite a few secondhand gifts from charity shops. Really enjoy your videos, have a lovely Christmas with your family.
I feel so touched with the images , with your reflexion and all this delicate sounds around... All I can say is that your message is healing, it comes in a very delicate moment. And in two days we have summer here in the south. I observe bees, birds, plants, the sky, the wind, sun , moon and stars, trying to learn how they adapt to keep living even with all changes in climate and the fragile balance of the Earth. May all of us follow your precious words and directions, may all of us calm our hearts and minds, listening, looking and moving toward real Life respect . Have a lovely Christmas, lovely family!🌱❤💚🍃
I also made a toilet roll star/snowflake this year. Another use for toilet paper rolls. Roll up a clump of waste paper (I use old documents and bills instead of shredding them, or old brown paper bag bits) for good fire starters under other kindling. Also, they make good cutworm collars on brassicas in the garden if you have a problem with cutworms.
Ahhhh....Thanks for the Easy Flow moments.
Here are a couple of sayings from long ago that I find helpful AND enjoyable.-
"One who knows that enough is enough will always have enough"
"One who always seeks the "special taste "will often be disappointed but One who tastes" the taste that IS" will always be rewarded!"
En-Joy (put Joy into) your life!
🌈
Hi … I am visiting daughter and family in Phoenix, Az. It is a very busy family. I live in Florida with a much slower life style. I love my a very quiet life, but of course never miss my visits with the grandkids. A very Merry Christmas.🎄🎄
You said “ life is incredibly precious”. Yes, it certainly is. I acknowledge that every day as I wake up and watch the sunrise. Thank you❤
You bring so much more than you will probably ever know. For me living in a world that's spinning so crazy I love what you say and I wish I could put your words in to my actions 🥰
It been a rough 3years but hanging in there. I thank you for sharing gems like this.
I really couldn't agree more with you, dear Niamh. Especially during this time of the year everything gets so hectic even though it is supposed to slow down. Everything has to get done, everything needs to be finished, we need to be everywhere at the same time. Sometimes it is important to listen to our own needs and just say no. A couple of years ago I started taking a long weekend off the week before Christmas - the most unusual time of the year to do this. I would book a nice trip to some quiet, remote location and just find calm and peace while the outside world is rushing past. So guess where I am right now, sipping a cup of hot tea while watching your video 💕 In fact, in my latest video I touched on very similar topics because I feel many people need to hear this 💕 Sending much love from very cold and snowy Germany to green Ireland ❤
Awh how lovely Liz… wise actions to serve you and the world in turn ❤