fbpx
Sophie Robinson
  • Home
  • Workshops
    • Marrakech Retreat
    • Ban the beige
    • Masterclasses
  • Online Courses
  • Collaboration
  • Podcasts
  • Blog
  • About
    • About me
    • Work with me
    • Press
  • FAQs
  • Contact
  • Life
  • Lifestyle
07 Jan 21

How to take on 2021

As we slide out of 2020 and creep into 2021 it’s been a subdued mood, opposed to the usual ‘out with the old, in with the new’ fanfare with fireworks that we usually celebrate. While we all were desperate to say ‘Farewell’ (or something more expressive) to 2020, we are not out of the woods.

Here is the UK we are under another strict lockdown. My heart goes out to all the kids missing their friends at school, parents faced with the impossible juggle of work and childcare and those feeling lonely and isolated at this time. In short, it sucks.

I’m in no hurry to ‘smash it’, start the ‘hustle’ or set aggressive business ‘goals’. It’s just not my style anyway and I urge you the tendency to resist putting any added pressure on yourself. But as the recent news surrounding the pandemic is unsettling, I’m slowly getting my head around it. We have been here before and can implement the strategies to cope. For me, when things feel out of control, I start to take a look at what I can try to control. And that’s my mindset. So this post is a little different than the usual cushion plumping fare. Indulge me while I share what has really been quite a transformation for me in terms of coping with feelings of anxiety and overwhelm.

COLDWATER THERAPY

For anyone who has been following my Instagram stories, I have been doing a lot of cold-water therapy! Inspired by the Wimm Hoff method, I’ve been taking cold showers every morning for the past few months and taking a sea swim once a week in Brighton. Here is me taking a dip on New Year’s Day! Yes, it’s freezing and deeply unpleasant, but the rush of feel-good hormones and mood boost it gives me that stays with me for the rest of the day makes it so worth it! If you are intrigued, the way I first got inspired was listening to Fearne Cotton interview Wimm on her podcast The Happy Place. I’ve since bought the book, downloaded the app and installed a cold water plunge bath in the garden!

sophie robinson wimm hoff cold water sea swimming new year

Weekly dips into the English channel down at Brighton beach has kept me motivated and in a powerful state of mind. If I can do this, surely I am invincible!

 

POSITIVE PRACTICES

Another thing that has helped me tame my anxiety is reading positive books. I hit a low point in the middle of last year and my best friend recommended ‘Notes on a nervous planet’ by Matt Haig which is full of very practical advice about controlling feelings of overwhelm, distress and panic. Biggest take away tip has been to ban my phone from ever entering my bedroom! I make sure I don’t look at it first or last thing in the day.

Instead, I’m focusing on better morning and evening routine. Another brilliant book that has helped my state of mind loads is Think like a Monk by Jay Shetty. It’s a lovely read and bursting with accessible wisdoms and ideas that are easy to apply. My biggest take home from this book so far has been setting a morning routine. The Monks way is to have a positive, gentle and peaceful morning that sets you up for the day. The way I am doing this is getting up 15 minutes earlier each day to afford myself some quiet ‘me time’ before the rest of the house gets up and it all kicks off! My cold shower or garden bathtub plunge is part of that too and not looking at Instagram or the news until I’ve done it.

Another quick shout out to Humankind by Rutger Bregman. I loved this book so much I bought all my friends and family a copy for Christmas! Within it Bregman makes the argument that, contrary to what the media, both ‘fake’ and ‘real’ would have you believe, humans are fundamentally kind. Bregman analyses data, history, philosophy and sociology to win the argument that believing in the true nature of human kindness and altruism can change not only how we think and feel about one another, but act as the foundation for achieving positive change.

Reading has become at the heart of gaining knowledge and insight on how I apply positive practices in my day to day life

WORKING OUT

Exercise has been a new thing for me in 2020! I was never a lover of lycra but taking up weight training from home with Team Yo has been transformational, not just on my butt but on my moods too. Weight training has been particularly successful at helping me reconnect with my body and feel grateful for my health and vitality. Cardio has always just made me feel puffed out and stressed but whatever works for you! Due to the lockdowns I’ve also never walked so much and having that connection to nature has been fundamental to us all! Here’s more to that and hitting 10,000 steps a day, my current target!

 

VISION BOARDING

This is something I do the start of every year and is much more effective than any ‘new year’s resolution’ for many reasons. I’m not going to go into too much depth here as I’m going to do a whole post on it in the next couple of weeks as I’ve received so many questions over on Instagram about how and why I do it. Needless to say, it’s an incredible way to help you feel positive, steadily moving towards your aspirations with no pressure or feeling of failure and gives you a big dose of the good vibes! Here is mine for this year which for the first time I think ever doesn’t have any big plans for my house! I’m sure I’ll be adding something as the year rolls out, but we did so much lockdown decorating, for now I feel satisfied! But you now…watch this space!

LITTLE PLEASURES

While we can’t make plans for big trips, nights out, parties or events my attention turns to the little pleasures and they are no less worthy. I really urge you to think how you can make yourself feel good in an everyday way that doesn’t require loads of effort or money. Here are a few of mine.

  • A beautiful mug to drink my morning coffee from
  • My electric blanket. Slipping into a warm bed gives me all the thrills!
  • Beautiful room scent. Currently loving Miller Harris scented candles.
  • A freshly made bed. (You can see where my pleasure points are!) But making my bed every morning is part of my feel-good routine that kicks off my day positively.
  • A tidy kitchen at night. This one was from Michelle Ogundehin who claims in her book Happy Inside (another worthwhile read) that cleaning away the pots and wiping down the surfaces last thing at night should be as regular as brushing your teeth. It really helps my morning routine when I pad into a tidy kitchen first thing to have my coffee in my favourite mug.
  • Fresh flowers. Yes, they are a luxury, especially at this time of year, but a splash of fresh colour and a chirpy flower head really does brighten my day.

At home with Sophie Robinson photographed by Alun Callender

AND EVERYTHING ELSE

And all that’s left is to practice gratitude. That sometimes feels hard when there is so many hardships facing us, but it really works when it comes to managing feelings of anxiety. I’m a real one for taking a pragmatic ‘it is what it is’ outlook and then looking at how I can control my perspective. Gratitude is a really personal thing but ideas for me include a fridge full of food, a warm and beautiful home, people who love me, birdsong, my dog’s sofa cuddles and the ability to connect with all of you online. I’ve never got round to keeping a Gratitude journal although that does sound like an excellent idea. But a few moments in the morning and when I go to bed to be thankful for anything in the here and now does the trick.

 

Which just leaves me to thank you for reading this post and making it all the way to the bottom! I hope you have found a little pearl of inspiration here. I’ve only discovered these coping strategies because of the people who have shared them with me. If you have anything that’s really worked for you please do share them in the comments below. My vision for 2021 is that I will never stop learning and finding new inspiration!

 

  • Life
  • Lifestyle
New year goals, decorating and trends, Podcast show notes S10 Ep1 Happy Christmas!

comments

Helen on 08.01.21

What a lovely post. On your recommendation, I just bought the book Humankind. Best wishes

Reply
Katie on 08.01.21

Took my first cold shower this morning! Very invigorating. Of to paint the hall and finish my gallery wall!! Love your blog and being part of the Colour tribe.

Reply
Sophie Robinson on 08.01.21

Yay! What a great start to the new year!

Reply
Debs on 15.01.21

Hi Sophie, my son got me into watching “Yes Theory” videos on YouTube where a lovely group of American lads “seek discomfort” and most of the time, overcome it. In one of their videos they went to see Wim and it was such a great episode that I also started taking cold showers but they are a bit more challenging in this very cold weather! x

Reply
Sophie Robinson on 20.01.21

Wim Hoff is such an inspiration!

Reply

Leave a Comment

Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published.

  • Interiors
    • colour crush
    • DIY
    • Home Tours
    • Interior Design
    • Interior Styling
    • podcast
    • trends
  • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Fashion/Beauty
    • Life
    • My House
    • Nosh
    • Travel
  • Rooms
    • Bathrooms
    • Bedrooms
    • Kids rooms
    • Kitchens
    • Living rooms
    • Outside
  • Videos

mailing
list

Videos

Listen

Listen Here

Bedlinen range

Shop

Colour Psychology for professionals

book your place!

Catch Sophie In All Her Colourful Glory On Instagram

How’s your Monday? Did you get to the shops? Dri How’s your Monday? Did you get to the shops? Drink a beer in a pub garden?! I’ve attempted train travel today  and three cancelled trains later I’m wishing I stayed at home! Anyone else not ready for this new normal yet! I’ve grown very attached to my sofa and cosy clothes this past few months! 

CREDITS Cardigan @jumper_1_2_3_4  Trousers @me_andem Trainers @nike Sofa @sofaworkshop (discontinued) in magnolia @gpjbaker  Tiger print cushion @trashvelvetuk pink cushion @grahamandgreen Flowers @sageandco.floraldesign Curtains @habitatuk (discontinued) 

#nonewnormal #banthebeige #colourlover #myhomevibe #noplacelikehome #pink #ihavethisthingwitpink 

📷 @aluncallenderphoto
I do love some HEAVY PETAL action. Florals are eve I do love some HEAVY PETAL action. Florals are everywhere in my home and it gives me full on joy to see them layered up on walls, on furnishings and my latest edition this hollyhock cushion. But they don’t  love me. As the blossom is bursting out this spring my hay fever is in full flow. 🤧sending love and tissues to my fellow sufferers! 

CREDITS Wallpaper is Artemis @houseofhackney . Painting by @beckyblairartist . Side board is vintage from @vinestreetvintage . Vases and chair are @grahamandgreen . Hollyhocks heavy petal cushion @houseofhackney . Flowers by @sageandco.floraldesign . Wall light @pookylights . Floor is intenso parquet @quickstepfloors 

#heavypetal #floralwallpaper #floraldesign #flowerpower #colourlover #banthebeige #bbbinteriors #mycolourfulinterior #mycolourfulhome #howivintage #sodomino #interiors123 #interiordesign #countryinteriors .
Had a very busy day filming today and I got my mak Had a very busy day filming today and I got my makeup done all fancy and put on some pretty clothes. I’m exhausted because it was hard work but I also feel like I’ve had a real boost to play with some all the pretty things in all the pretty colours. Like these new pumps from @roguematilda which are giving me life! And they are flat so my feet are happy to. 😍

Thanks @swainy2021 for the style inspiration and @jadefarmiloemua for the eye bag hack! (See my stories)
It’s podcast day! And on today’s show @mad_abo It’s podcast day! And on today’s show @mad_about_the_house and I discuss the pitfalls of shopping online, because admit it, we’ve all fallen down one! Whether it’s find out your forest green sofa is shiny teal (mentioning no names Callum) to discovering the dining room chandelier is no bigger than one of pat butchers earrings. 
Swiftly moving on we interview the fabulous @_paintgirl , creative director of paint brand @littlegreenepaintcompany who explains why there is a thirst for neutrals right now and how to pick the perfect shade. I’m currently giving my living room a refresh and for one nano second considered a neutral for the walls. 😳 But then I had a chat with myself and remembered that leopard is a neutral. There, I feel so much better! I hope you love the show, it’s the last in the current series. Kate and I will be having a short lie down and then back with a bang on 15th of April. I can promise you an awesome series we have planned with some know guests! So make sure you subscribe and why not leave us a little review if you get a moment. We read them all you know! Thanks to @katetaylorldn for producing the show. 

#leopardisaneutral #banthebeige #thegreatindoors #thegreatindoorspodcast #livingroom #interiorrefresh #colourlover #maximalistinteriors #maximalistinteriors
Interior design masters final is TONIGHT! I’m be Interior design masters final is TONIGHT! I’m beyond thrilled to be invited back to help @michelleogundehin judge this final along with the rather fabulous @matthewwilliamson and the ever dashing @chattyman . Hasn’t the entire series just been incredible? The extraordinary talent, innovation, grit and determination that has been on show week after week has been an inspiration and credit to our industry. And tonight will not disappoint. The designers @lynseyforddesign and @interiorcurve have a whole house to design and get to bring back their favourite past contestant to help them with the challenge. Delighted to see @moneypennyinteriors and @amywilsoninteriors return for one night only. Buckle up for some serious interior design mastery. See you on BBC2 at 8pm. 

Dress is @stinegoyastudio 

# interiordesignmasters #interiordesignmasterstv
Everyone talks about a room with a view but making Everyone talks about a room with a view but making a view through to a room is just as satisfying. It’s something I always think about when designing a house and I love the way colour and pattern can link one room into the next. I use repetition of pattern, colour and materials to help a home have flow. This gorgeous blue is my main linking colour, rolled out in the hall then picked up in the ticking stripe fabric in the curtains and Artemis wallpaper. When you have maximalist tendencies like me, having a tight palette helps make it all work, and repeating colours and similar patterns help make a rather eclectic home feel cohesive. I’ll be sharing more insights into how to make the maximalist style work on my live masterclass on Thursday evening. Come join me, link up in my profile to book your place because once you embrace the maximalist in you, you open up to the pleasure of decorating from your hearts desire!

Tap the pic for any credits. 

#banthebeige #colourlover #maximalistinteriors #maximalistdecor #bbbinteriors #ihavethisthingwithcolour #colourisaneutral #colourmyhome #interiordesign #interiordecor #interiorinspo #sodomino #apartmenttherapy
Happy Sunday! I’m relaxing on the sofa enjoying Happy Sunday! I’m relaxing on the sofa enjoying the view of one of my favourite paintings by my dear friend @bethpartridgeart . Filling your home with wonderful artwork is a great way to bring the colour joy, create a stunning focal point and help your home feel unique. Installing a striking piece of art in my room schemes is integral to helping a room hang together. This piece has the most incredible palette of colours that link to other parts of the room, like the fabrics and furnishings. I love the neon pop of yellow and pink you can find amongst all the beautiful inky blues. You don’t need to match you artwork to your colour scheme but it can help to make the whole thing really sing. Picking a piece of artwork you love can be the starting point to creating something wonderful. So big love to all you amazing artists out there for making our homes feel wonderful. 

#artforyourhome #artforinteriors #colourlover #banthebeige #focalpoint #interiordesign #interiorstyling #interiordecor #interiorinspo #colourmyhome #mycolourfulinterior #colourfullivingroom
Morning! I’ve got so much work on at the moment Morning! I’ve got so much work on at the moment I’ve got up with the birds to tuck a few hours in before the weekend starts. Sat here listening to the birdsong I could not  feel more blessed! Here’s a little insight into the creative chaos that is my office! Happy Saturday everyone x

#morning #birdsong #colourlover #banthebeige
Load More… Follow on Instagram
Sophie Robinson
  • © 2017 Sophie Robinson

    /
  • Contact/
  • About/
  • Design by MW

Don't forget to join!