October 2019, Welcomes:
World Habitat Day
Firstly, the word ‘habitat’ can mean many different things to many different people. It includes anywhere living things may call home. For example, Edinburgh, London and Europe are all habitats. From the Amazon Rain Forest to the Yorkshire Moors. Even a typical 2 bedroom Victorian terrace. On World Habitat Day, there’s no place like home. Whatever that might mean to you.
The Oxford dictionary defines the word ‘habitat’ as ‘the natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organisms.’
Eco Warrior
This year, World Habitat Day holds more significance than ever. As public action against climate change increases, we are beginning to think more carefully about the amount we consume and its effect on our habitat. It is having a detrimental effect on our environment and our planet is feeling the consequence.
As a result, we are beginning to question our buying motives. Do we really need another cheap manufactured top? Can we avoid fruit and vegetable being wrapped in plastic? Reusable straws are helping to save marine life. Solar power is on the rise, along with renewable energy and electric cars. Veganism and plant-based diets are more fashionable every minute.
Friends of the Earth has some simple tips on helping to tackle climate change. Reducing carbon emissions is so important and our health, equally so. Walking instead of taking those 5-minute car journeys will have you feeling in body and mind in no time. Try those vegetarian/vegan burgers next time you’re at the supermarket too, you’ll be surprised how tasty they are!
World Habitat Day, There’s No Place Like Home…Home is Where the Heart is
So our habitat is our planet, yes, but our habitat is also our home. The place where we lay our hat. The place we go to relax at the end of a long day. Where we rest, eat, entertain and reset. Although a home does require a little work in itself to make sure it’s hospitable.
Sometimes the work we need to put into our home falls by the wayside a little. Busy lives, kids, pets and partners can all cause a whirlwind of a mess at times. There’s no need to spend a fortune to get your home looking cosy and inviting again though. A bit of tactical organisation and a little TLC will do the trick.
Creating A Happy Habitat
So, the house is looking a bit of a shabby mess and it’s starting to stress you out a little? You’ve been avoiding it a little and the laundry and dishes are piling up.
It’s time to take action! Set aside the next full day you have free, send partners, pets and kids on a mandatory day out and pop the kettle on. Make sure you’re wearing something sloppy and comfy. Play some energising music and turn it up! Choose the messiest corner in the messiest room to start.
Tackling the house room by room, section by section will make the task more manageable and you’ll notice progress much quicker. Pile things up according to where they belong then when you’ve finished one part you can carry the piles to their correct areas of the house. Don’t forget to stretch your body (organising can be slow and you might be in one spot for a while) and have regular breaks as you wade through your tasks.
Once the house is in a decent state of affairs again looking clean and generally tidy, you can turn your thoughts to organisation and decoration! There are so many simple ways to make a home more functional and inviting.
World Habitat Day, There’s No Place Like Home…Top Tips For Tidying
“Discard everything that does not spark joy”
Marie Kondo, konmari.com
“I have yet to see a house that lacked sufficient storage. The real problem is that we have far more than we need or want.” — Marie Kondo, author of ‘The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.’ Source: yourtango.com
Here are a few simple tricks that cost absolutely nothing –
- Make your Bed.
- Fluff and Chop cushions. That includes fluffing up sofa cushions! The fluff and chop technique is more for decorative cushions and is exactly that. Give cushions a shake and a little beating to fluff ’em up then hiiiiiyaaah, Karate chop them in the middle. It makes cushions look super full, cosy and inviting.
- Display fruit. Fresh fruit is affordable and looks incredibly stylish artfully stacked on or in a simple plate/bowl.
- Don’t overdo it. Ornaments/pictures/ plants/lamps/throws /rugs/books are important for creating ambience and atmosphere in the home but balance and calm are key.
- Be ruthless with clutter. If you’re having your first clear out in a while making a promise to yourself before you start. Don’t keep anything ‘just in case’! Chuck anything that can be reused in a big plastic bag and take it down to the charity shop.
Help With Your Habitat
Now you can tidy and clean your habitat as much as you like but what about when an unforeseen cost rears its ugly head? You might not be prepared.
White goods in the home are essential to modern daily life. They do last a while but when they’re approaching 5-10 years old most of us just tend to cross our fingers and pray!
For those of us on a tight budget they just aren’t the top of our list when it comes to financial priorities. That’s where considering a short term loan might come in handy. You can quickly borrow a small lump sum in the form of a payday loan and agree to pay it back in full in 1-3 months. You can even pay it back in instalments.
Once your application has been accepted the money you receive can be used to sort yourself out a brand new fridge-freezer or washing machine. Your home will be running smoothly again and it could be all sorted on the same day.
If you’ve had a financial emergency and you’re in need of a short term loan CLICK HERE TO APPLY NOW!