Surviving the Heatwave (Without Melting Into a Puddle)

If anyone asks me what I've been doing over the past few days, my honest answer would be:

Trying not to evaporate.

It has been unbelievably hot here. The kind of heat that makes you question every life choice that involves moving more than three steps.

Now, for most people, it's simply uncomfortable. For me, as someone living with a heart condition, extreme heat is something I have to take very seriously. So, for several days, my doctor's orders (and common sense) were essentially the same: take it easy.

At first, I thought, What a waste of time.

I'm not very good at sitting still.

But as it turns out, staying indoors doesn't necessarily mean doing nothing.

Every morning I ventured outside just long enough to take care of our animals. As if that wasn't enough, our lovely neighbours had just left for their holiday, so their animals happily joined my morning routine as well. Everyone survived, everyone was fed, watered, and thankfully nobody seemed to mind my slightly wilted appearance.

Then it was straight back inside.

Windows closed.

Curtains shut.

Fans working overtime.

A large mug of tea (yes... even in the heat!), plenty of cold water, the occasional ice lolly, and my little summer cocoon was complete.

Since I couldn't spend hours sewing or working outside, I turned my attention to all those little jobs that normally stay at the bottom of my to-do list.

I gave the Handmade Luxury Home website a proper refresh. Products received another careful look, SEO was improved, descriptions polished, images updated, photographs enhanced, and several pages were reorganised. It's amazing how much you notice when you slow down and really look.

Of course, there was plenty of creative work as well.

Several long-neglected hand sewing projects were finally finished.

My enormous collection of buttons—which had quietly descended into complete chaos—was sorted and reorganised.

The fabric cupboard underwent what can only be described as a complete archaeological excavation before emerging beautifully organised once again.

I printed sewing patterns.

Cut them out.

Answered emails from clients.

Revisited a few quilting projects that had patiently been waiting for inspiration.

I even filled an entire donation box with fabrics I know I'll never use again. Over the years my preferences have changed, and nowadays I choose not to work with polyester if I can avoid it. Natural fibres such as linen, cotton, wool and silk simply bring me so much more joy. Speaking of which... I may have ordered some beautiful linen and silk while I was reorganising. Purely in the interest of future creativity, of course.

Orders were packed and prepared.

Ideas were scribbled down.

Plans were made.

And somewhere between all of that, I rediscovered the forgotten luxury of an afternoon siesta and finally made progress through the ever-growing pile of books beside my chair.

Looking back, those "lost" days weren't lost at all.

They were simply different.

Would I volunteer for another heatwave?

Absolutely not.

Please, weather... let's not do this again anytime soon.

Did I complain?

Oh yes.

Rather professionally, I might add.

But once the complaining was over, making the best of the situation turned out to be far more rewarding than fighting against it.

The animals are happy.

The neighbours returned to well-cared-for pets.

The website is better than it was.

My studio is tidier.

My fabric shelves can actually be navigated again.

And somehow, despite temperatures that felt better suited to the Sahara than the Netherlands...

I survived.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to enjoy the miraculous feeling of a breeze that doesn't resemble someone pointing a hairdryer at my face.

Here's hoping your summer has been just a little cooler than mine!