Om & Hope

Have you ever had a stranger give you a warm smile in the street? Or seen a child beam when you gave them a genuine compliment?

Maybe some of us will win Nobel prizes in our lifetime, or save many lives. I imagine that most of us won't, but it really is the tiny every day acts of kindness and connection which build trust, hope and make life worth living.

We are all capable of kindness, just as we're all capable of negativity and cynicism (believe me, I know! Thankfully there's no such thing as the thought police!) These are facets of our humanity, as complex beings who can be destructive but who can also be oh so beautiful.

If you ever saw lists suggesting random acts of kindness and thought, ah no, that's way too cheesy. Maybe not? Maybe the recipient of the handmade card or the email thanking them with a few heartfelt words will continue the rest of their day feeling that bit warmer - maybe they'll find themselves 'paying it forward', and then what a chain of kindness you have started!

It's not Random Acts of Kindness Day... yet... (maybe I will do something for that!) but if you're reading this, why not think one kind thought about yourself, and offer a little gesture of kindness to someone else, and see how it feels?

Hello! I'm back a teeny bit sooner than expected. I hope you're all doing okay and had a good Christmas. I am finding it a bumpy ride so I have returned with the hope of grounding myself a bit.

Today, my thoughts are on running a small business and making sustainable choices.

Om & Hope isn't first and foremost an environmentally-focused business, but I'm trying to learn and change as I go along.

I have done some carbon offsetting with the wonderful since Om & Hope began.

Most things I make and sell are plastic free/minimal waste and/or reusable.

I look for recycled packaging where possible and recently started using paper tape to attach paper address labels to parcels so that you are able to reuse boxes (I am ridiculously excited about this!) and mailing bags are carbon neutral and made of recycled plastic.

Packaging peanuts, larger boxes and any bubblewrap used is reused by me - I hope you will find ways to reuse it again!

There are lots of little ways I try to make Om & Hope more environmentally conscious but there is a way to go and lots to be learnt. I'm always happy to receive feedback on how I can improve. The most eco-friendly thing to do would be not have a business at all, but Om & Hope is here for other reasons in the main.

Living a minimalist life isn't my area of expertise at all, though I am growing frustrated by the clutter and will be making it a personal aim for the coming year to change my mindset and embrace simplicity.

Algorithm be damned; it's time for me to log out for a little while.

I just wanted to share some highlights from this year. Thank you so much for the kindness and support you have shown. You help more than you know!

For those who are running a bit late with their Christmas shopping, I have e-gift cards available on my website. Why not have a look through my Makes highlight on Instagram to find an easy DIY self-care recipe to gift alongside your e-card?

I will be back in January with a fantabulous sale! If you have any queries in the meantime, please feel free to email me at [email protected]

But for now - Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night! 🥰💙🥰

Something that's been on my mind recently, mainly around trauma and mental health.

There are lots of messages around that it's okay to have bad days, that it's okay to not feel cheerful at Christmas. And no wonder - it's bloody everywhere for ages, isn't it? If you find Christmas hard, it's really, really hard because you just can't get away from it.

I wanted to write a message for people out there who feel the way I do, whether that's about Christmas or just day-to-day life, and that can involve feeling conflicted. Some days, weeks, months, when you have experienced trauma and mental health issues, can be excruciating and you just want the pain to stop. But there can also be fear and guilt around feeling better, having sparks of pleasure and enjoyment, even good memories! I know that probably sounds weird to some, but others will definitely know what I'm talking about.

And I just wanted to say that that's okay too. It good doesn't erase the bad, and vice versa. You're not weird if you have both trauma symptoms around Christmas, and fun or enjoyment. I feel that way about a lot of things - like gratitude, for example. When I first started gratitude journalling I literally thought it meant I couldn't feel pain or distress or frustration. And so, I felt guilty if I did. But I came to learn that recognising gratitude doesn't mean I can't also feel angry or depressed. And of course, the same the other way round.

This was a bit of a ramble but I just wanted to give space to mixed feelings this Christmas!

Hello! How are you managing? I am starting to really flag - feeling very drained at the moment.

I looked at a tree and it made me happy, lol. Going to try and get more fresh air in the coming weeks.

Although I won't be making up any more products before Christmas now, there are still lovely items made up and ready to go on Etsy. Everything is shipped next working day and sent 1st Class or Tracked 24 (depending on whether it's letterbox or parcel sized) so that you have the best chance of receiving it before Christmas.

My last day for posting will be Monday 18th (shop closing on the 17th) so please don't feel it's too late to get some last minute self-care gifts!

Then I will be mostly switching off for a little bit (though I'll still be available to answer any queries).

Oh - I am using a free trial of a photo editing app I haven't got to grips with yet, so please brace for dubious AI edits.

I asked some of my family to come up with their own essential oil blends, which I have added to a carrier oil. It was great to see what they came up with!

I also still have some of my Christmas tree essential oil diffusers left. They make cute gifts to hang on your tree and come with a plantable seed card and an optional couple of drops of essential oil.

Some Scents and Self-Care ideas for December - I really wanted to do a corresponding blogpost, especially around boundaries at Christmas, but I haven't really had the energy so I thought my own self-care would be to not worry about it this month.

Do foxes hibernate? Either way, this fox is here to encourage you to balance movement with rest. Getting out in the short daylight hours, if you can.

Remembering that it's okay to say no, and to set an internal resolve to stick to a budget financially, or to limit your social engagement if that's something you find tricky. For me, it's the hardest thing about Christmas. Socialising can make me incredibly anxious and it's good to remember that it's not absolutely necessary. At least, not more important than looking after your mental health. If you're going to an event that you feel very worried about, you can make a contingency plan, and ensure that you can leave when you want to.

If you're reading this, you're probably an adult, so you can make your own traditions at Christmas. Bin off the full dinner for a nice oven pizza if you want. Bake your favourite recipe. Go to the garden centre and choose a new Christmas decoration for yourself. You don't have to do things the way that the adverts tell you to do them!

Do you have any Christmas traditions that you've started for yourself or family? Are there any you'd like to try?

Trying to get back on the self-care train today with a beautifully simple, nourishing hot hair mask. I've never tried one before but I hear that they can be lovely for moisturising dry hair in the winter months.

I am going to melt 2 tbsp coconut oil with 2 tbsp sweet almond oil in a double boiler. I would have loved to infuse my almond oil with fresh rosemary but I have been too busy - if you can, though, why not give it a go!

Once the oils have gently warmed, I'll add about 5 drops of rosemary essential oil and carefully massage imto my unwashed/dry hair. I will take a towel that I've warmed on the radiator, wrap around my hair and well and truly chill out for half an hour with some relaxing music.

After this, l'll hop in the shower, shampoo and condition as normal.

As always, be cautious with your use of essential oils and other ingredients regarding allergens and your own health. If in doubt, consult an aromatherapist (not me BTW!)

We've had a very light, very pretty sprinkling of snow here. I'm exhausted and a tad under the weather so I am really, really looking forward to doing this hair mask tonight!

Why not save for later and give yourself a bit of peaceful nourishment?

A while ago I made a graphic on ways to manage hyperarousal - those states in which we might feel keyed up, panicky, angry or too reactive.

Now it is time to share some ideas on self-regulating hypoarousal. In a hypoaroused state, we tend to feel sluggish, shut down, sleepy or disconnected from the world.

Both hyper- and hypoarousal are signs that we are feeling a bit (or very!) overwhelmed. But there are steps we can take to return to our optimal functioning, which we might call The Window of Tolerance.

You can find out more about the WoT in Om & Hope's trauma and mental health-focused blog. Link in bio!

Are there things you find helpful to make yourself feel more alive and connected? Tell us below!

Don't miss out on the very limited edition Fireside Aromatherapy Mist. The perfectly festive Yuletide scent for creating a cosy and ambient space to snuggle down or entertain this Christmas season. ❄️

A vegan base and a blend of beautiful essential oils:

Frankincense is a resin-y base oil with mood-boosting qualities. Sweet orange oil uplifting, comforting and refreshing. Cinnamon oil has a warming, spicy scent which many find relaxing. 🧡

Get yours at www.omandhope.co.uk - link in bio! 🎄

Date for your diary: 29th November and 13th December, find me and Red Hot Glass UK at The Inn at South Stainley's Christmas fair. We would love to see some friendly faces if you're around to pop your head in and say hello!

If you're looking for Christmas presents, I'll have lots of individual items and gift boxes to suit all budgets - my products are all vegan, made with pure essential oils, and safety assessed.

Times are tough at the moment, but please consider buying one or two of your gifts from local businesses!

Please note that there will also be a Christmas fair at The Inn on 6th December, but we won't be at that one 🥰

"So you know all about me?"
asked the boy
"Yes," said the horse.
"And you still love me?"
"We love you all the more."

- The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse