Half Term and Hallowe'en



So, today I realised, for the first time, how relaxing actually just spending time with my LG actually can be... The first time in 3.5 years I haven't felt the need to plan the school holiday day like a military operation, just get things done and not worry if things run a bit late. After all, there's no one standing there clocking us in and out, it's the holidays... 

It's been a long time coming. Starting with relaxing into our new home. Living in a place that, whilst it has everything we do need in it, doesn't have a whole pile of things that we don't. Ultimately, that our home has space to let us breathe, to just be there, and that makes our lives so much more relaxed. 

Today though, hasn't exactly been 'quiet'. But it has been relaxing. We've done all the things we wanted to (and a few more besides). But without the stress and franticness that have characterised previous school holidays where we've been at home. 

I no longer feel the need to be out of the house as soon as possible after 9am, not returning till as late in the day as possible. Because we have space. Space to enjoy ourselves and just play. Space to have fun and relax. 

Do I (we) still own more stuff than we ultimately need? Probably. But there's far less of it than there was 12 months ago. And that in itself has been an important aspect of clearing the space in my mind. 

Why didn't I do it sooner? I started. Several times. But when every time you clear a space it gets filled with someone else's stuff. When every time you clear a space for working on a project, or doing something specific, it disappears before you get chance to use it. When only one of you actually follows through with decisions to sort, tidy, clear spaces and shelves as the 'stuff' no longer fits in its designated space... It's disheartening. So I stopped. I gave up trying. 

Now, in a clear space. I sleep better. I breathe easier. I'm more relaxed. Less stressed. And far less likely to be found avoiding being inside my own home... 


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