What a year it’s been already. With regular changes to our lives and daily uncertainty, coupled with extra pressures of childcare/work/limited social connection, the need for small, daily moments of happiness and peace are more important than ever. Whilst these moments don’t take away the challenge of the big picture, they can give us a much needed break from it. An added bonus is a boost of endorphins (feel-good chemicals made by your body) to remind you to do it again another time.

Where to start? Using our senses as your guide could be an easy way to hook into small joys. For this blog I’m going to focus on smells.

For me it’s the smell of coffee in the morning…limes freshly picked from the tree (even more rewarding for me as this is our first batch of successfully grown limes - after many failed attempts!)…and my children’s hair. I also love the smell of rain and slow-cooked lamb curry.

What smells do you enjoy? Perhaps it’s the smell of your soft, clean child…when they’ve just had a bath? How amazing is the smell of a new baby! Are you lucky enough to have one of them in your home at the moment? Perhaps it’s the smell of food that is your favourite- passion-fruit, freshly cut pineapple or baking bread?

What about your child/ren, or other members of your household? If your child isn’t speaking yet, how do you know whether they like a smell or not? Their body language can demonstrate quite a strong preference for different smells (is it clearer when they don’t like a smell!!??).

To find your favourite smells, go for a wander around your garden, house or neighbourhood - pick a posy, with whatever flowers/plant/herbs you have available. It doesn’t matter how the posy picking is done. Is the bunch neat and tidy and bound by string, ready to put in a jar at home and photograph? Or is it a random mess, but picked lovingly by little hands? Use these moments as an opportunity to slow down and enjoy your child. Take a deep breath of clean air and really smell your little posy. Appreciate your garden or your neighbourhood and take time for a quiet moment. Allow your child to enjoy this experience in their own way too. It might look like a mess to you, but might generate great joy for your child. It’s the joy that’s the important bit.

If it’s not appropriate to pick flowers or herbs from your garden or neighbourhood, then you can always just enjoy the smell in the moment, without picking anything.

You might find that your sweet posy gets smooshed up by your child as they create a potion, or perfume or just a big mess with their collection! This is really fine. Be led by your child and do what makes everyone happy. They might make a mess, but if all the ingredients are natural and have a beautiful smell, then enjoy the fragrance!