Simple Daily Swaps for a More Wholesome, Mindful Life

It would all be so easy if we always made the right choices. Day after day, no matter how busy life gets, how old our children are or how much time and money we have, we’d always do the right thing. Grab an apple instead of chocolate. Go to bed at our usual time. Say no (kindly) to that gathering, instead of wishing we were at home. Yes, it would be good. But I’m not going to surprise you when I say that life isn’t perfect, right?

Even more so, different things are harder in different seasons of life... It’s hard to be rested and fresh-faced when your toddler cried most of the night – but that becomes easier when your kids are 7 + years old. It’s hard to cook everything from scratch when you’re working on a project that’s draining your time and energy – but it becomes a norm again once work slows down or you retire. And so on.

Today, I want to share with you a handful of ideas for simple, everyday swaps that can gently bring a more wholesome feeling back into your life – with minimal effort. We all lose our footing in the busyness of daily life - I certainly do. Thankfully, resetting these little habits and choosing them mindfully over the usual option can make all the difference, even when life is full.

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1. Healthier snack

Guilty as charged! How many times do we just open the kitchen cupboard and stuff a biscuit in our mouth without even thinking? Asking for a friend, of course :)

Next time you have a quiet moment at home: you’re relaxing, reading, watching a movie, instead of reaching for a highly processed snack, treat yourself to a bowl of strawberries with natural yogurt and a drizzle of honey. Maybe even a little chocolate on top. It’s not about counting calories here, but choosing a snack that feels more nourishing and a bit more thoughtful. One that says, “Yes, I care what I put into my body.”

2. Reading app instead of social media

This has been an absolute revelation for me and I read so much more because of it. I actually didn’t know the Kindle app existed until recently – it syncs with your Kindle account so your books and pages are updated across devices. You can swap between them on the go!

I usually read on my Kindle, but I often don’t have it with me – like when I’m waiting for Rosa in the car after school. Other times, opening the Kindle just feels like too much of a commitment – I’ve got literally 10 minutes, maybe waiting for food to be ready, and I don’t want to get pulled into reading and end up burning dinner. But somehow, I don’t get that same feeling with the app. Now, instead of mindlessly scrolling, I often read a few pages of my current book – and overall, I end up reading so much more and spending far less time on social media.

3. Keeping a notebook with recipes

A 2015 Google study found that about 60% of 25–34-year-olds used their phones or tablets while cooking. I bet that number is even higher in 2025.

I still read recipes off my phone screen, but honestly – I’m just tired of the phone being the centre of everything. So I started jotting down my favourite, most-used recipes in a notebook and I can confirm - it’s a lovely, wholesome habit. Every Monday I open my notebook for my bread recipes and it really feels special. A quiet moment in the kitchen at the start of a new week - truly unplugged.

4. Silence or gentle music instead of endless chatter or bad news

I love watching YouTubers like James and Robert Welsh while cooking or cleaning – but sometimes, the constant talking in the background is just too much. I find myself craving actual quiet moments, so I mindfully create them. When I can, I choose complete silence. In our new home, the birdsong is beautiful when I throw the windows open. This and (in the future) the sound of home: the oven working, Andrei moving around the studio, me typing on the keyboard – is enough.

Other times, I play gentle piano music – I really enjoy the playlists from this channel. It elevates the simplest of days and adds charm to ordinary tasks. 

If you live in a busy area, try playing nature ASMR - bird and forest sounds – even in the middle of the city. Multiple studies have found ASMR lowers heart rate and blood pressure, reduces anxiety and improves your mood.

5. Declutter & bring in fresh flowers instead of buying more clutter

Okay, here I show my lack of business sense, since I sell candles and home decor for a living, lol! But I’m not here to encourage you to endlessly hoard mass-produced, currently trending items that you’ll be bored of in a few weeks and feel guilty about throwing away.

Whenever your home feels like it needs a refresh, start with cleaning and decluttering. Then perhaps – a simple bouquet of fresh flowers can make all the difference, without breaking the bank.

Instead of adding to the clutter, you’ll make your home feel light and fresh. (Of course, adding a YR Studio candle is always a good idea – but please burn it all the way to the bottom and if you can, reuse or recycle the jar!)

6. Homemade instead of ready-made

You don’t have to become a slave to your kitchen and cook everything from scratch. But choosing to make at least some of your meals and treats at home is definitely a way to make life - and food - feel more wholesome.

There’s nothing wrong with grabbing a meal on the go or buying something ready-made. But putting effort into making your food is especially valuable in a world that struggles with poor-quality food and rising obesity rates.

It became a routine for me to bake bread every Monday and then again on Thursday or Friday. Now Andrei and Jacob (my older son) want to eat breakfast only with my bread. I smile every morning as I make toast with jam for Jacob before school.

You can also create a little routine your family will associate with you – like baking something nice for dessert every weekend or making homemade pizza every Friday.

Pictured: the beautiful grounds of a Montacute House in Somerset, my homemade bread (recipe here), jam lovingly made by my mother-in-law and "Summer in the Countryside" lemon lavender candle

7. Time in nature instead of the sofa or shopping centre

If you’ve read anything from me before – you knew this was coming, haha!

I simply cannot give wellness advice to another person without telling them to spend more time in nature. Tuning in with the seasons and being outdoors was probably the biggest game-changer on my own wellbeing journey. I don’t think anything else comes close.

Instead of spending your afternoon window-shopping in a busy town centre or sitting on the sofa, go for a walk. Nature is often closer than we realise.

Even if you live in a city and don’t know where to go, try looking for popular dog-walking spots nearby – it’s a good starting point. If you’re lucky enough to live within walking or driving distance of forest or farmland, count yourself blessed – and make the most of it <3

Shop our  "Summer in the Countryside" lemon lavender candle here

A closing thought

When it comes to wellness and living a wholesome life, we don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Often, the simplest, most instinctual choices are the best for us. We also don’t have to completely change ourselves or start ten new habits in one go. Making small, sustainable changes that feel good is one of the simplest and most effective ways to strengthen new habits and and make them part of your daily life.

Can you recommend any simple swaps that work well for you? I’d truly love to hear them! Feel free to share in the comments and inspire someone else who might be reading.

Thank you for reading,
Adriana