I love candles, but the scented ones tend to make me cough- so I started picking unscented candles, and trying to enjoy seasonal colours instead! Right now, my morning candles are sage green, which I find a very soothing colour.
As for slow living, I have to agree- it really isn’t about being slow (sometimes the pace of life around us makes this impossible) but about taking a moment here or there to appreciate the here and now, and be present. For me, this is reflected in watching the tree frog in our hummingbird feeder moat, or the bunny munching grass in the garden; it’s about breathing in that cool morning air, appreciating the way my bed looks freshly made, or lighting the candles first thing and enjoying the glow. When my kids were small, it was watching the baby sleep, enjoying a cuddle, or listening to their stories about the caterpillars/bugs/leaves or whatever they’d found in the garden ( I even have some of these illustrated/written in my old sketch journals).
Wow this is so beautiful, Rachel! I love that you use unscented candles, that’s a good idea! I’ve thought about buying beeswax rolls and making my own, too.
And yes!!! It’s about noticing those little things, the magic in the mundane. I love those moments you have shared here, they are so magical.
Sep 21, 2023·edited Sep 21, 2023Liked by Hunter Burgtorf
Loved the recommendations! I agree with the slow-living, it is not something that is to be measured by perfectionist standards, I feel like that’s the point in moving away from the “hustle culture”.. ending the perfectionism mindset.. it’s about being more present and listening to our intuition to guide us into what we NEED rather than what society expects of us, and it is hard.. it definitely not some quick ascetically pleasing IG post that we should aspire to!
Loved reading your magical insights for the week. Yes to candles, are natural ones from soy wax and essential oils (no nasties) still bad?! Tell me no! And yes to Lauren’s suggestion of oil in a diffuser, and I’m quite into wax melts in diffuser at the mo. Also love a salt lamp, I have one in the entrance but think I need more! So many benefits, not to mention the lovely light they give off. In terms of slow living I absolutely agree, sometimes we just need to get through the day and remove any additional pressure — simply finding anchor points to check-in with ourselves during the day can be helpful xx
I LOVE this list, Hunter! I'm going to check out those podcasts for sure, especially the priestess one.♥️♥️ I'm a candle addict myself. Engaging with a single flame that way feels so nourishing to my soul. I had to give them up for a few years when one of my cats was allergic, but have soothed some of the grief of losing her by bringing them back into my life. My new favorite brands are bossypants and burke & hare.
I’m obsessed with candles and since I grew up with beeswax these are my go to (95% of the time).
Used to make them as a child in my Steiner / Waldorf school during winter months. I loved dunking the candle wick into a hot pot of fluid wax to for the candle to get bigger and bigger with each dip.
A bit more pricy but good quality ones burn slowly and they purify the air in addition to looking cute.
Anything with scents makes me feel nauseous and gives me a headache.
Think most of these are pretty bad for our body as endocrine disrupters
I love your relationship to beeswax candles, and how you've been making them for so long!! You definitely need to share your tips & tricks with all of us :)
You won’t believe it Hunter but a post came to me after reading yours so I had a late night the other day writing about beeswax candles, history, rituals, some anecdotes... need to put it all together with some finishing touches and will share in a few weeks, mid end October 🕯️🥰
So with you on the turmoil of candles!! I have so many beautiful ones and I adore them! I try not to burn them too much around the little ones but when they go to bed I love to light them. I also love an essential oil in the diffuser for the scent. Xx
I'm the same! Literally the second Maverick is down for a nap or bed, I light a candle 😂
Essential oils in the diffuser are so nice too! I've been doing that a lot as well. There's just something about the fire and the light it gives off that just does something for me! Haha
Love your point here on slow living. And so feel that.
We are 3 weeks into our post partum which I am a huge advocate for going slow. We did a slow 40 days with my first and it was incredible. Though this time, I have more creative energy than I know what to do with.
Slow living looks like honouring that this may well be a very creatively potent postpartum and that’s ok!
Also I had to giggle at the candles. Whenever I think about october I have visions of all the Americans rushing to get their pumpkin spice candles 🙊🙊🙊
Candles, salt lamp, and journals. Be still my heart, Hunter! Aren’t they just the most perfect autumn companions? 🍂 I work really hard to be aware of the magic in most everything every day. This week, I think it was mostly found in the deep purple berries on some bushes as I walk to work. So gorgeous! Happy weekend to you! 🧡
I love candles, but the scented ones tend to make me cough- so I started picking unscented candles, and trying to enjoy seasonal colours instead! Right now, my morning candles are sage green, which I find a very soothing colour.
As for slow living, I have to agree- it really isn’t about being slow (sometimes the pace of life around us makes this impossible) but about taking a moment here or there to appreciate the here and now, and be present. For me, this is reflected in watching the tree frog in our hummingbird feeder moat, or the bunny munching grass in the garden; it’s about breathing in that cool morning air, appreciating the way my bed looks freshly made, or lighting the candles first thing and enjoying the glow. When my kids were small, it was watching the baby sleep, enjoying a cuddle, or listening to their stories about the caterpillars/bugs/leaves or whatever they’d found in the garden ( I even have some of these illustrated/written in my old sketch journals).
Wow this is so beautiful, Rachel! I love that you use unscented candles, that’s a good idea! I’ve thought about buying beeswax rolls and making my own, too.
And yes!!! It’s about noticing those little things, the magic in the mundane. I love those moments you have shared here, they are so magical.
You can also buy beeswax wax droplets or bricks and melt them in a lot and dunk the wick. Such a fun process. Or melt it and pour into glasses etc 🥰
I might write a post about it soon since I made my first candle 26 years ago as a 4 yo 🤣
Oooh that sounds incredible! And oh yes, you must write a post about it!! Let me know when it's live, I'd love to read it!
Also I should add I’m another Brit here in the US who doesn’t drive 😂
Hahah what is it with you guys not driving?! I think it comes down to public transportation being so much better in the UK!
Pretty much 😂 also, parking is worse and more expensive 😉
True true 😂 Matt always said it worked out more if he would have driven and parked than just taking the bus to work or school.
Loved the recommendations! I agree with the slow-living, it is not something that is to be measured by perfectionist standards, I feel like that’s the point in moving away from the “hustle culture”.. ending the perfectionism mindset.. it’s about being more present and listening to our intuition to guide us into what we NEED rather than what society expects of us, and it is hard.. it definitely not some quick ascetically pleasing IG post that we should aspire to!
Also...yes to salt lamps and journaling!! 🙌🏻
Absolutely!!! Sounds like we feel the exact same way :) it’s about finding balance in it all and applying it to our lives, however that looks!
Loved reading your magical insights for the week. Yes to candles, are natural ones from soy wax and essential oils (no nasties) still bad?! Tell me no! And yes to Lauren’s suggestion of oil in a diffuser, and I’m quite into wax melts in diffuser at the mo. Also love a salt lamp, I have one in the entrance but think I need more! So many benefits, not to mention the lovely light they give off. In terms of slow living I absolutely agree, sometimes we just need to get through the day and remove any additional pressure — simply finding anchor points to check-in with ourselves during the day can be helpful xx
I'm going to say no because I refuse to research if they are "bad" or not 😂
I love all your comments here-- I live for a good diffuser scent! And the salt lamps are sooo good, aren't they?! Just love it.
I love how you mentioned anchor points, you are so so right!
I feel so conflicted about burning candles too!! I know they’re not great but I NEED them at this time of year! 🕯 It’s not Autumn without them
Haha right?! Like I neeeeed my pumpkin spice candle burning at all hours of the day for those cozy vibes! Don’t take that away from me 🤣
Pumpkin spice candles are my favorite! 🎃🧡
THE BEST
They're essential! 🎃😆
I've been doing the thing where I keep telling myself to burn a candle and then not doing it, but I think I'll start tonight for Mabon!
Ooh yes, such a good idea!! What a great way to ring in Mabon too :)
I LOVE this list, Hunter! I'm going to check out those podcasts for sure, especially the priestess one.♥️♥️ I'm a candle addict myself. Engaging with a single flame that way feels so nourishing to my soul. I had to give them up for a few years when one of my cats was allergic, but have soothed some of the grief of losing her by bringing them back into my life. My new favorite brands are bossypants and burke & hare.
Aw, that's so special that you've been able to bring them back as a way of soothing your grief. Life is filled with so many dualities, isn't it?
And hope you enjoy the podcasts!! They were all so good!
Love this list of 5 favourites 🥰
I’m obsessed with candles and since I grew up with beeswax these are my go to (95% of the time).
Used to make them as a child in my Steiner / Waldorf school during winter months. I loved dunking the candle wick into a hot pot of fluid wax to for the candle to get bigger and bigger with each dip.
A bit more pricy but good quality ones burn slowly and they purify the air in addition to looking cute.
Anything with scents makes me feel nauseous and gives me a headache.
Think most of these are pretty bad for our body as endocrine disrupters
I love your relationship to beeswax candles, and how you've been making them for so long!! You definitely need to share your tips & tricks with all of us :)
You won’t believe it Hunter but a post came to me after reading yours so I had a late night the other day writing about beeswax candles, history, rituals, some anecdotes... need to put it all together with some finishing touches and will share in a few weeks, mid end October 🕯️🥰
So with you on the turmoil of candles!! I have so many beautiful ones and I adore them! I try not to burn them too much around the little ones but when they go to bed I love to light them. I also love an essential oil in the diffuser for the scent. Xx
I'm the same! Literally the second Maverick is down for a nap or bed, I light a candle 😂
Essential oils in the diffuser are so nice too! I've been doing that a lot as well. There's just something about the fire and the light it gives off that just does something for me! Haha
Agreed! The fire is so ritualistic!
It sounds wonderfully cosy, and I've been leaning into the idea of buying a salt lamp. This seems like just the nudge from the universe that I need.
Aw yes! You should definitely get one. I’ve had mine for years now and it’s still going strong-- so they last forever.
Love your point here on slow living. And so feel that.
We are 3 weeks into our post partum which I am a huge advocate for going slow. We did a slow 40 days with my first and it was incredible. Though this time, I have more creative energy than I know what to do with.
Slow living looks like honouring that this may well be a very creatively potent postpartum and that’s ok!
Also I had to giggle at the candles. Whenever I think about october I have visions of all the Americans rushing to get their pumpkin spice candles 🙊🙊🙊
Candles, salt lamp, and journals. Be still my heart, Hunter! Aren’t they just the most perfect autumn companions? 🍂 I work really hard to be aware of the magic in most everything every day. This week, I think it was mostly found in the deep purple berries on some bushes as I walk to work. So gorgeous! Happy weekend to you! 🧡