It\u2019s been a consciously slow start to 2026 for me here. January is still the middle of winter and only the start of the year on the calendar. The rest of the natural world does not spring into action on 1st January, it literally waits for spring. As a natural being, I find living with the seasons to be nourishing for my soul and essential for my nervous system. I only came across the trait \u2018highly sensitive\u2019 in the past few years and I definitely recognise this in myself. I\u2019ve recently read \u2018Highly Sensitive People in a Insensitive World\u2019 by Ilse Sand. It was good to see many advantages of being highly sensitive described in the book as well as some practical ideas for navigating the world. I\u2019ve realised that keeping my nervous system soothed is my number one priority. Over the last few weeks, I\u2019ve been making decisions based on what is best for my nervous system. Of course, this isn\u2019t always possible, there will be things that really do have to happen regardless, but in decisions where there is truly more than one option, I\u2019ve been choosing the most soothing one. I\u2019m interested to see how these conscious choices might add up over the coming year.<\/p>
January started cold and frosty, even here by the sea where it\u2019s rare. We had a sprinkling of snow one day and frost on the beach another. I love this kind of weather: crisp and cold with sparkling white where the sun hits the frost or snow.<\/p>
We even got treated to the Northern Lights, a week ago. Something that I never expected to witness in the south of England. <\/p>
As always, I\u2019m continuing my mission to reduce waste in 2026. This has included trying a couple of different food ideas. Firstly, mincemeat porridge. We had a little bit left from making mince pies so I\u2019ve been adding some to my morning porridge along with some seeds and oat milk. A taste of Christmas on a chilly January morning!<\/p>
Yesterday, whilst the rain was pouring down outside, I made easy, no bake carrot and oat bars. Cereal bars are great for packed lunches but are packaged in single-use plastic and many are ultra processed whereas these were made with real ingredients and no plastic. Taste tested by me and my teens, so far it\u2019s 100% thumbs up. \ud83d\udc4dI used the recipe for carrot and oat bars from the Riverford website.<\/p>
We had a big supermarket delivery last week, so this week we are just topping up with shopping when we\u2019re out and about. I regularly drop one of my daughters at the train station and there is an M&S food store right next to the station. Now, if you\u2019ve ever been to M&S you\u2019ll know there is lots and lots of single-use plastic packaging but it is possible to buy some items without plastic. I bought loose fruit and vegetables as well as red lentils, cous cous and stuffing mix in paper packaging.<\/p>
I\u2019ve been mulling over whether to write a second edition of my book \u201852 Tips To Reduce Waste\u2019 for a few years now, often thinking I\u2019ll start this at the beginning of the year but later realising (when it hasn\u2019t happened) that January is not the right time to start new projects. If I do begin this second edition, spring will be the time. However, strangely enough, probably because I\u2019ve started the year slowly and intentionally making decisions based on keeping my nervous system soothed, I\u2019ve actually designed some of my own products. It\u2019s been fun and without pressure and I\u2019ve even just launched them into the world! There is my \u2018Reduce, Reuse, Recycle\u2019 tote bag<\/a> made from 100% organic cotton in a factory powered by renewable energy. It is designed to be sent back and remilled once it\u2019s finally worn out, so it creates a circular economy. I\u2019m designing products that are sustainable, so that people have this option when they need to buy something new. I\u2019d still encourage everyone to refuse<\/strong> to buy new items they don\u2019t need, reduce<\/strong> the amount they do buy, reuse <\/strong>what they have, repair <\/strong>what they can before they even think of buying a brand new item. My tote bag completes the circle of \u2018Rs<\/strong>\u2019 because, unlike many bags, it can be recycled<\/strong>. There is a QR code in the label so that it can be sent back and remanufactured when it is worn out.<\/p> Wishing you a safe rest of January - be careful if you\u2019re in the UK today and have a weather warning in place. Maybe spend some time at home, if you can, and make some plastic-free snacks.<\/p>","urlTitle":"a-consciously-slow-start-to-the-year","url":"\/blog\/a-consciously-slow-start-to-the-year\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/a-consciously-slow-start-to-the-year\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/rhubarb-and-runner-beans.teemill.com\/blog\/a-consciously-slow-start-to-the-year\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1769601633,"updatedAt":1769613743,"publishedAt":1769613743,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":424666,"name":"Rhubarb and Runner Beans"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/nhl6rckwacubaghhwuv7xq3bqd5lmlcsobs91mohhpiu1zc5.jpeg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/nhl6rckwacubaghhwuv7xq3bqd5lmlcsobs91mohhpiu1zc5.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/nhl6rckwacubaghhwuv7xq3bqd5lmlcsobs91mohhpiu1zc5.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"","metaDescription":"","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":56262,"title":"Now I Know it's Spring","url":"\/blog\/now-i-know-its-spring\/","urlTitle":"now-i-know-its-spring","division":424666,"description":"The sun warms my skin as I sit, parasol partly shading me, sipping lemon and mint tea. The season turned as I plucked that first mint leaf from its terracotta, garden pot. Hidden away during the winter, gathering strength, the plant lay dormant under the soil, waiting","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/yp9pxxh1quknvb2ye1rmqqokl2kc3xz1eroy0cg4zttiu31t.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/yp9pxxh1quknvb2ye1rmqqokl2kc3xz1eroy0cg4zttiu31t.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":56867,"title":"Hello June! (plus buy 2 tees, get 10% off)","url":"\/blog\/hello-june-plus-buy-2-tees-get-10-off\/","urlTitle":"hello-june-plus-buy-2-tees-get-10-off","division":424666,"description":"As May turned into June the weather, here in the UK, turned decidedly cool and rainy! The heat wave of the previous month is now almost forgotten as layers and jumpers replace summer dresses.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/5jky78gcih9v7p7rasaxcvevp3wmdkstgqywhoav6lgwau97.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/5jky78gcih9v7p7rasaxcvevp3wmdkstgqywhoav6lgwau97.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":54515,"title":"Eco-Friendly Valentine's Day","url":"\/blog\/eco-friendly-valentines-day\/","urlTitle":"eco-friendly-valentines-day","division":424666,"description":"Showing someone you love them shouldn\u2019t cost the earth! If you want to give traditional cards and gifts, how about considering some of these more sustainable ideas for Valentine's day?","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/7xf776fbqragcsrm4dgxlk3znafeniztpf6b8erhhr9pdlqc.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/7xf776fbqragcsrm4dgxlk3znafeniztpf6b8erhhr9pdlqc.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}