How to feel heiter after a long day

A long day at work, traffic on the way home. You’re supposed to cook dinner when you get back and bring out the recycling too. I know, it’s exhausting and I can imagine that all you want to do is go to bed. Not so fast! Why? I believe we should make the most of the time that belongs to us, after all, it is what we work so hard for. Our time should be used to focus on the heiter side of life. The fact of the matter is that we only live once and it would be a shame to let life go by with negative thoughts or the feeling that we didn’t get anything out of it.

The first thing we need to do is to change our perspective.  Try revisiting points in your day and identifying what was good about it. Let’s give it a go:

-          Yes, your day at work was long but perhaps you learned something from the task you needed to do. Maybe the way you had to communicate your ideas in a meeting was great practice for pitching your future creative business.

-          Due to the traffic it took you 30 minutes longer to get home. It did however mean that you had those 30 minutes needed to listen to a great podcast. 

-          You’re supposed to cook dinner. Isn’t that great? Mindfully chopping the vegetables can be therapeutic and the good vitamins and minerals you’re feeding your body will bring you more energy.

-          You have to bring the recycling out. Yay to recycling! You can really make a difference and work towards a better world by joining in.

How did that feel? Did I manage to cheer you up a little? Good! If you need more Heiterkeit (cheerfulness) there are a few more things I can recommend.

-          Make yourself a soothing cup of tea.

-          Get some fresh air. If it’s a walk with your dog or some quiet time in the garden, a few minutes outside really can make a difference.

-          Have a bath. Essentials oils are always a good addition, or if you have a bit more time and all the ingredients try out the Calming Rose Bath by the lovely Becky Cole.

-          Listen to your favourite song(s).

-          Meditate, even if it’s only for a few minutes. I use an app for my daily mediation but you can of course do it without one too.

-          Phone someone you love and talk about a lovely memory the two of you share.

-          Write down three things you’re grateful for.

-          Light some candles, wrap yourself in a blanket and relax.

-          Read a poem or a good book before you go to sleep.

I hope this post helps you and makes it easier for you to find #heitermoments in your everyday life. Keep me posted on how you get on and if you have anything to add to the list above, let me know.

Be heiter!

Deutsche Version hier.

Words & images: Katharina Geissler-Evans, heiter magazine

Pieces with a story: the vintage blouses and accessories from Spanish brand Sabellar

A few months ago I came across Sabellar, a beautifully curated online concept store for artisan made products and vintage clothing. I fell in love with their philosophy and their gorgeous vintage blouses and was so excited when the founder Maria agreed on an interview.

How would you describe Sabellar in one sentence?

Sabellar is an online fashion and decoration concept store that pays tribute to the Mediterranean way of life (my family and I are Spaniards), to our history and the craftsmanship of local artisans.

When did you decide to create Sabellar and why?

I founded Sabellar two years ago. I wanted to celebrate Spanish craftsmanship and show how contemporary, glamourous and artistic it can be, even if they same techniques have been used for centuries. I started to source and meet several artisans and realized how important it was to tell the story behind their products. I wanted people to know how much time it takes to make them, and how much care and skill there is behind the production process.

What products do you offer and where do you source them?

Most of our products are from Spain, in particular the Island of Mallorca. All products on www.sabellar.com have a story. We offer beautiful, locally crafted products. They range from women’s accessories to home decoration and come from small family run businesses.

We also sell unique vintage clothing. The majority is made of beautiful Majorcan cotton and linen blouses from the early 20th century. I would say they are our bestsellers.

Where are your products available?

Online on www.sabellar.com but also in a few selected Japanese stores such as Mariet, World, Sen to Sence and Pamie.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

I wake up at 6am and always have a glass of warm water with lemon juice and some ginger. Then I meditate for 5-10 minutes before I plan out the day ahead. Once my daughter has left for school (that is usually at 8.15am) I begin to work, either from home or in a café close by. It is important to go out and see people now and then.

I am definitely a morning person so those first hours in the day are the most productive ones for me. I use them to source new products, write and carry out any other creative tasks I need to do. At noon I go to Bikram yoga or exercise at the gym. After that I see my husband for lunch and then continue with work. My afternoons are usually filled with admin tasks and wrapping orders.

I pick up my daughter at 5.30pm and make sure I can spend the rest of the evening with her. Before I go to bed I check my inbox one more time (as a lot of my clients are in the US and Japan) and think about things I need to do the following day. I then read a bit or watch a series on Netflix.

What is your favourite part of being a business owner?

That I can control my time. Having my own schedule and being able to work everywhere is a luxury (but also a double-edge sword!).

What would you recommend new to business owners? Is there anything in particular they need to consider before they start their own company?

Setting up your own business is not easy and can become quite lonely sometimes. Don’t underestimate the work load. You definitely work more than when you work for someone else as you always think about new products, new campaigns and things you need to sort out etc. It can be exhausting and that is why it is so important that when you work on your business schedule that you also plan in time for yourself and your family.

Also, communicate! There is not much point in having a great product if you nobody knows about it.

What is your definition of Heiterkeit (cheerfulness)?

It’s my daughter’s loud laughter. Heiterkeit to me also means to have my mind at peace, to be happy with myself and what I have in this moment.

Images: dosmasenlamesa.com for Sabellar

Interview: Katharina Geissler-Evans, heiter magazine