I am taking back control of my life which has got so out of hand over the last few years for a number of reasons...mainly pain and the 'addiction' of buying for the brief 'buzz' I got that made me briefly forget the pain. Constant pain can really make a huge impact on ones life, especially if it causes a big loss of something that you were passionate about (i.e. music) and it ends up affecting you not just physically but mentally as well. It is going to be a long slow process, and I am sure there will be some set backs and days when I feel like giving up all over again, but by documenting my progress, I think and hope it will help me to see I AM actually making progress, or at least that is the aim.
I want to turn my sewing studio back into what it was originally built for - an actual sewing studio! Currently it is impossible to sew in there as if is full of 'stuff', mainly dolls, clothes and their props I have collected over the last few years for my blog stories and books I have been writing. But really how many does one actually 'need'? I am now of the realisation that these have been collected to try and 'prop me up' but are in fact dragging me down. Every time I go in my studio now, I take one look and turn round and walk out again feeling totally overwhelmed.
I currently sew in the conservatory/utility room, but that too has become cluttered and I have started clearing and cleaning that today - photos for another post as I think it is going to take me a couple of days or so to finish. One thing I have learnt with regards the pain is I need to pace myself.
Back to my plans for the studio.
These photos are from 25th November 2011, not long after it was built.
It was a nice bright space to feel inspired in...now you can hardly move in there, so time to take back control. Plus by doing this I will also be getting ready for when we move.
I am far too embarrassed to post any 'now' photos at the moment and it is not going to take me a day to clear, or even a week, but probably more likely at least a month - so I am going to aim to have it completed by the end of October. Maybe when I achieve my aim I will post the 'before' photos.
I am going to reduce my collection of dolls, props, clothes significantly. After all if I can't enjoy them, what is the point. I find it hard to let go of things, I think it is partly about control, and partly because due to significant moves in my early childhood, teens, and early adulthood, where I have had to leave things behind, it has made it all the harder to let go. I have hung on to these things thinking 'when I have a new place, a larger space, etc...' perhaps that isn't going to happen, perhaps it will, but maybe it is better to live in the now. 'Things' can always be replaced to some extent.
Wish me luck, I am going to need all the encouragement I can get!
Right, tea break had, back to the conservatory...
When I am facing a struggle I always think of the saying "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step". Making up your mind to do something is half the battle, so that first step is a big thing and you have actually done it! Congratulations and good luck. Tracy X
ReplyDeleteHi Tracy, thank you for visiting and leaving an encouraging comment, much appreciated! That is a great saying and oh so correct. Making that first step, and then keep on doing them...
DeleteGood luck! I know how hard it is to let things go, but in my case it's stationery and old photographs etc. I'm getting there as you are.
ReplyDeleteJoan (Devon)
Hi Joan, thank you for visiting and leaving a comment. :-) Don't get me started on photographs and stationery! Do you have a blog?
DeleteNo, Serenata, I don't. I have thought about it, but as I'm disabled and more or less house-bound I wouldn't have much to say. Although I do enjoy commenting on other people's blogs.
DeleteThe quote that Tracy mentions is a good one. I may take a note of that myself.
Joan (Devon)
I do wish you luck, letting go is hard. I want to downsize to a smaller house and we would have to get rid of a ton of stuff to do that.
ReplyDeleteThank you - it is indeed hard. Good luck in your endeavours as well.
DeleteIt looks beautiful. I really hope you can get back to it. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sally. I probably should have started at the beginning of the Spring, that was my intention...but it just wasn't the right time. I am just hoping I will get enough fine days this Autumn to work on it, as I will need some outdoor space to sort things out.
DeleteWe had to get rid of so much prior to our move here. It was hard letting go of some of the things but by letting go it was so enabling. We were able to downsize and move into our dream cottage so well worth the effort. Wishing you well on your journey a little at a time and listen to your body. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your encouragement, reading about your journey and new live in your dream cottage is helping to inspire me with our journey.
DeleteGood Luck and hope that step by step you will rach your goal. Like you I spent much of my childhood moving from one place to another and when I look back and realise just how little we had to move each time I wonder how we managed with so few possessions and yet it is oddly liberating to have less of everything I find and when I think of what I would take if I had only moments to choose before leaving like those poor people in Grenfell Tower or how little one really needs I see that there is not much that I would really miss. Don't overdo it all and take it slowly bit at a time and maybe it might help to put those things you aren't sure you can part with but don't really want in a box or bag somewhere and if you haven't wanted or needed them in the next few months then the bag can go. That way it is not so final in the first instance. Best of luck and Bon Courage as they say in France!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jane, lovely to hear from you. I have temporarily moved into what used to be our older son's room, to see if sleeping on a different bed will help and what I have discovered is that I can basically live out of the one set of drawers I have in there. I don't need ALL the clothes and other things I have in the other room - I never use them, and haven't since he left at the end of June. This is a good lesson to learn. We don't need all that we have now. I think it is too easy to end up with far more than we actually need. It is a good idea to box somethings up first though if unsure, and I have done that with some things all ready.
DeleteOh Lorraine, I am beyond happy for where you are on your journey! Once we find our direction, life flows better...I know. I purge now and then and doing that enables me enjoy what I do have so much more...I look forward to cheering you on!
ReplyDeleteThank you Vicki. I am just hoping I can achieve this, but not going to beat myself up about it if it takes me longer, as long as I achieve something each day, that is a start.
DeleteI am impressed by your determination to take control of your life. I think with your plan to take it slow and easy you'll achieve your goal. As for getting rid of "stuff" I too find it very useful to pack up things I'm not 100% sure I want to get rid of and wait a few months. If I don't miss them off they go to the thrift store.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Baby steps I keep telling myself. Any progress made is something.
DeleteI thought that was a very honest, uplifting and hopeful post. I wish you every success. I shall be following with sincere interest.
ReplyDeleteThank you Graham, you have been a great support over the last few years.
Delete