New Year’s Smellsolutions

Oh I hate New Year. The fireworks scare the animals (me, I am the animal). And I am forced into reflection – I am not really one for nostalgia or looking back. I will do this through the medium of smell only!

However, I have accidentally found myself thinking about my approach to all things fragrance, and I’ve come up with a list for 2025. If you’re a fragrance lover, feel free to take them as your own.

Even more conscious smelling

Use it or lose it! Your sense of smell is just another thing that declines as you age. Lovely. But, unlike your eyesight or hearing, you can prevent that happening (or even improve it once it has) by actively smelling. Obviously I do quite a lot of that already. But I want to do more. I want to consider and appreciate the smells that cross my path, even the ones I don’t love. (Someone remind me of this when I can smell a fart on the tube.)

Treat yo’ self

Since I started making perfume, I’ve tried not to buy so much of it. This was stupid.  The idea was that I wouldn’t wear as much as I’m tinkering with new creations – true. And when I do wear it, I should be repping my own. Which I do sometimes… but I don’t expect Taylor Swift (for example) to only listen to her own music do I?

Anyway, it has been like being on a diet. I inevitably fail and then feel really bad about it. This year, no more guilt. I accept I will buy perfume and I will enjoy it! You should do the same, there’s no joy like perfume joy.

Try new things

Just because it’s fun. I’m going to try to come out of my comfort zone when it comes to creating and wearing perfume. You know how sometimes you need to listen to a new album a few times before you get fully into it? Perfume is the same. So that one from a discovery set you don’t really like – put it on. A few times.

Compliment more

It’s nice to be nice, and hearing that you smell good has got to be right up there. So I’ll be doing more of this in 2025, plus you’ll usually be told what it is they’re wearing and that’s always interesting.

Care less

Let’s try not to worry about trends or what we should like – or in my case, make. But conversely, don’t feel embarrassed for liking something that’s ‘basic’ or not ahead of the curve enough to be cool. Pah! You like what you like, wear it with pride.