Don’t just shove it in the cupboard

First, let me explain this holiday. It was mine and Rich’s 10-year wedding anniversary in December, 15 years together. We’d always wanted to do this ‘once in a lifetime’ kind of trip and have waited until the kids were old enough to really enjoy it (now 8 and 13). We are doing 19 nights visiting Sorrento, Rome, Venice, Tuscany, and Lake Garda. It’s a complete dream and I cannot explain how lucky we all feel to be doing it.

Before we left to go away (this feels weird, because I’m writing this in the midst of what I’m writing about but you’re reading it a week later…!). I’ll go to present tense as though I’ve not already gone, because I haven’t!

So, today (Sunday 7th July!), I’m busy organising the house and my mind, getting everything ready, and packing so I don’t feel overwhelmed as the week goes on. It also means if we are missing anything, I have plenty of time to sort it. I’d very intentionally carved this day out as the day all this would happen - even bagged a booking for a yummy roast dinner at my lovely Mum’s later on!

The kids have just broken up from school (yes already), so there’s all the usual end-of-term ‘stuff’ that’s come home with them; school books, art projects, missing filthy kit, uniforms, plus the presence of the physical humans to organise in the upcoming week. Work has been full-on, knowing we’ve got this coming up, but it feels exhilarating and exciting - once upon a time, not that many years ago, I’d have been beyond anxious and overwhelmed. Feels completely wonderful to recognise that’s not me anymore. Even better to know I made that happen (so can you - read on).

Lots coming up here so do keep your eyes peeled. I’ve got a few things I’ve been beavering away with - about to launch, so I’ve been getting all that ready for my return (can't wait to bring it all to you!). I’ve also been making sure nothing stops while we’re away, whilst still being able to relax, unwind, and be present with my family in Italy.

Of course, I want to keep giving you value, to help you all the time (that fills my soul!), so that means scheduling social media, planning emails, and ensuring someone is picking up messages and alerting me while I’m away. Lots to be done!

This holiday needs to be a restorative, heart-filling, memories-to-treasure-for-life kind of experience.

The human that I am (that I’ve chosen to be), and the way I like to live life; progressively moving forward, not dragged back by old weight, means that before I go away, I like to get everything organised so I don’t come home to a load of sorting ‘old’ stuff. I want to come home to a fresh, relaxed, clear space; with newness, excitement, and mental space and time to be open to any opportunities ahead. Oh, and we’ll still have another 5 weeks of school hols to enjoy, alongside working, when we get back too!

So, as well as packing, there’s lots of general life admin going on today too. Cupboard sorting, paperwork shifting, appointments scheduled, diaries boxed off etc. I could, of course, choose to just leave all of this until I get back. Shove crap in cupboards, make the paperwork into neat piles for later… But how would that feel when I get back?

Exactly.

Much like anxiety and negative thoughts and feelings, shoving them in the cupboard ‘for later’ doesn’t make them go away. They just build up, become a bigger problem, take longer to sort out. Loom in the subconscious. That’s not the choice I make. Face the sh*t. Deal with it. Move on. LOVELY. (I didn’t say it was easy and it didn’t take time and work, but I do know it feels far easier than a lifetime of the alternative).

So today, Sunday, I’m clearing old food out of cupboards, watering the plants, tidying all the rooms, and removing all the accumulating piles (where do they all bloody come from?). Sorting things, putting them back where they go. Getting rid of things that don’t serve us anymore, things we will never use and getting out all the bits we DO need for our holidays!!

The Serious Bit:

Much like negative mindset thoughts and limiting self-beliefs, those things that we don’t need anymore, that aren’t useful, they pile up and create unnecessary pressure in our minds, pressure that manifests into feelings of anxiety and overwhelm… (like an overfilled cupboard where the door can no longer stay closed). You can choose to get rid of it all. You can choose to organise it. You can choose to face it, take control of it and move forward with a clean mindset (or a clean, organised house. Whatevs). Then you can enjoy your day, enjoy your holiday, enjoy your life and move forward in that space you’ve created, that’s fresh and new—just how you’ve chosen it to be.

Remember, you are in control of your life. You have the power to change your thoughts, habits, and ultimately, your life.

What are you waiting for? Let’s get started on this journey together!

Make this week your best yet. I believe in you!