THE SEASONAL EDIT
“ Grabbing pots of hyacinth and tulips , I repot into anything that ’ s cheering ”
24 Beyond these practical details , I ’ ve also taken much greater pleasure in making the house snug and welcoming , especially during the long days of winter . In January , I simply left the Christmas lights up , stringing them over the back of pictures in my kitchen , and even ordered a set of coloured lights I used to illuminate the bright pink sitting room walls . I ’ ve never felt so grateful for sparkle and light , and have bulk-bought cheap candles I leave burning on the kitchen table whenever I am in there , whether that ’ s for home schooling or cooking supper yet again . I ’ ve delighted in buying spring flowers whenever I see them . Grabbing pots of hyacinth and tulips , I repot into old cups or jugs – anything that ’ s colourful and cheering – to cover one end of the kitchen table in .
CHANGING FOR THE BETTER I ’ ve even found myself changing the way we use the space in the house . A small , unloved downstairs spare bedroom , which my husband had filled with cardboard boxes , was repurposed as my daughter ’ s “ studio ”, a place for her to home school in peace , then use for Zoom gymnastics sessions and ballet lessons . My bedroom has become my office and the unused sitting room at the end of the house is now my husband ’ s office and location for non-stop Zoom meetings . It ’ s as if every space in our house is now filled and used . That ’ s quite pleasing . It feels efficient .
It ’ s not just the four walls , though , which the last year has taught me to look at in a new light . Being forced to remain still has , in turn , forced me to concentrate on
my immediate natural environment with new eyes . Our garden became a place we tumbled out into , whatever the weather , even if that meant simply grabbing 15 minutes to cradle a cup of coffee in the late winter sun , or herd the children out into in the name of home schooling by studying mini-beasts on the lawn . I know we are lucky to live in the countryside , and I ’ ve made a point of fixing my eyes on the far hills of the horizon I see every time I leave the house , even if that is only to empty the bins .
And however much I love my home , the last year has also made me unbelievably grateful for the network of friends and family who I am closest to . Being separated from my father and stepmother has been incredibly painful , but has also made the moments I have seen them even more special . And I never knew how much I needed to hug my friends until I was no longer able to see them , let alone embrace them . I ’ ve learnt , too , that going “ back to normal ” isn ’ t necessarily something I want to do . This year of unprecedented change is also an opportunity for growth , and a reminder to cherish the things we have – home , warmth , friendship , love – rather than rush blindly onwards . And there is no place that I am more grateful for the home and family I have , however chaotic and perfectly imperfect , than sitting at that kitchen table , with only the ticking clock , a flickering candle and several bunches of tulips keeping me company .
My Wild and Sleepless Nights by Clover Stroud is published by Black Swan , £ 8.99
HOMELIFE