The Comfort Drawer

I always recommend that new members kick off the Puttering Programme with the creation of a Comfort Drawer, a delicious idea from Simple Abundance, mostly because, before we get down to the nitty gritty of housekeeping, I want you to create a special little place all of your own…

Sarah Ban Breathnach describes the Comfort Drawer as "all that is required for the spoiling and pampering of a world weary woman…", but to me it is more than that: to me it is a refuge from ugly days, a place where I store tiny little reminders of who I am and what I love, a private little space I retreat to when I’ve forgotten what really matters..

In Sarah’s drawer we find, "a box of chocolate truffles, miniature fruit cordials and after dinner drinks, aromatherapy bath treatments, British decorating magazines, Bach’s Rescue remedy, a velvet herbal sleeping pillow, a satin eye mask, rose scented bubble bath, of love letters tied with ribbon, a scrapbook of personal mementoes, a tin of biscuits and a gift sampler of unusual teas…"

And in mine, many of the things above, as well as favorite family photo’s, my gratitude journal, photo’s of myself on better days (to remind of how I can look…), Finleys hospital tags from when he was born, chocolate, oh and more chocolate, (tied up in ribbon, so I understand it is my emergency supply!), a treasured poetry book, Simple Abundance, face masks and deep conditioner (for extreme self care!), Elizabeth Ardens Eight Hour Cream, a hand written list of favorite quotes, my favorite novel, (The Lover’s by Alice Fearney), a collection of reviving oils, my favorite lavender sleep balm, a few kind of miserable Cd’s (you know the sort!) and an emergency tin of Green and Blacks Hot Chocolate Flakes…      

All of these scrumptious things are stored in a picnic basket lined with a Liberty Print fabric, and while Sarah suggests wrapping each item up so you feel as if you are opening a little collection of gifts to yourself- I go in and out of my basket so often, it just wouldn’t be practical. Maybe I need comforting more than Sarah does!

What will you put in yours?

Originally posted on The HouseKeepers Gazette.