The Power of Keeping it Simple

Realising that my life doesn't have to be more complicated and stress-heavy to make it better is an actual revelation!

Say Cheeeeeese!

I wanted to pop into your inbox today - with my huge smiley face - to say a BIG thank you!

The response to my recent post, The Midlife Morning Routine That Makes me Feel Amazing, is still going strong and has been incredible. In the past 30 days alone, over 80 new subscribers have joined this growing, glowing community - and the kind, private messages and comments have made me feel delighted that it has resonated with you.

It’s also made me realise something pretty powerful:
Sometimes, it’s the simple things that hit home the most.

A quiet cup of coffee.
A few moments of stillness before the day begins - I’m so glad I found breath-work - who knew something as simple as the way you breathe can change your state from stressed to zen in a few seconds?
A small act of kindness - to yourself or someone else. I’ve found a smile is so easy and can make a person’s day - give them away freely!
It’s not always about grand gestures or major transformations - it’s about creating tiny feel-good habits that slowly build a life you love.

Simplicity has started weaving its way into so many areas of my life lately and not just my morning routine.

Skincare Simplicity

As a former beauty ed, I was used to being inundated with new products and the latest skincare lines and I openly admit, I loved trying them all out. And yes, there are some that go above and beyond to improve the skin - but there are many more that just aren’t that special and do what every other moisturiser or serum in your bulging beauty bag does. So, truthfully, now I stick to what works for me and maybe add a newbie now and then to shake things up a bit. At the moment I’m loving UpCircle’s Peptide Serum with niacinamide, vitamin C, upcycled custard apple and other brightening and hydrating ingredients. It’s main focus is to help boost collagen and improve skin elasticity and that’s what is just what I feel my skin needs.

*As a disclaimer, I regularly get paid to create content for UpCircle but I’m not paid to promote their products on my own social platforms, I’m just doing that because I really rate them. The link here is not an affiliate one.*

Forget 12-step skincare. For me, a simple cleanse, tone, moisturise with eye cream and SPF and occasional serum and mask feels just right for me and my skin and is a 2 minute affair. And when my wallet allows (which hasn’t been often lately) I do love a salon facial now and then as it feels like a treat for my skin and my wellbeing.

Hurry-Up Hairstyles

I’ve always been a wash-and-go kind of girl and I’m lucky that somehow, my naturally wavy hair mostly looks okay with this laissez faire hair regime - if the frizz is playing nicely. I haven’t got a list of haircare products that I use to keep it healthy - but I do swear that Kollo Health’s Premium Marine Collagen (affiliate link) has given it back some of the oomph it lost as I entered my menopause journey. As we get older, our natural collagen levels drop, which can make hair thinner, weaker, and more brittle, so it makes sense to me that replenishing what your body is losing can go towards supporting skin and hair growth from the inside out.

On the rare occasion that I decide to up the ante with my hairstyle - I have two go-tos - my Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumiser or a very basic hair wand - (I’ve linked to something similar to mine because I’m not sure where mine is from as I’ve had it for years and there are definitely no bells and whistles with it!) Both of these styling tools are ideal for adding a bit of volume or metamorphosing straggly curls into sleeker, bouncier ones!

Most days though, a low bun or a quick ponytail hides a bad hair day in seconds. I’ve decided that I don't need to spend precious time wrestling with styling tools when there’s life to be lived.

Simplified Mindset, Chaotic Cupboards

With all this talk about embracing a simpler life, here’s where I have to keep it real: While I’ve definitely simplified lots of areas - like my routines and mindset - my house is still very much a work in progress. It’s full of random bits and bobs, piles of stuff with no real home, and a definite shortage of Pinterest-worthy organisation!

That said, I’m hoping my new love of keeping life simple will eventually spill over into my cupboards, shelves, and kitchen drawers... and help me feel a little more zen at home too.

Here’s a little inspiration that resonated with me, for keeping it simple. As Mel Robbins says:

"You are one decision away from a completely different life."

And often, that decision can be as simple as slowing down, and choosing ease rather than thinking things always need to feel busy.

Another favourite quote from James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, reminds me:

"Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become."

Small steps and simple actions - for me, that’s where it’s starting to feel right and feel good.

Thank you for being here and for sharing this journey with me. If you enjoyed this post, feel free to share it with a friend who might need a lift too.

PS: If you’re new here or stumbled across this post, I’d love you to stay awhile and read a few more in my archives. You can subscribe for free to join this midlife community where I share no-faff ways to feel and look your best during this wonderful, messy magic of our midlife chapter - and beyond.