2021: Take time out — Day 16

I live in paradise.

We have half and acre, a gorgeous home, kookaburras singing morning, noon and night, ducks that come to visit, green tree frogs and I haven’t seen a snake yet (touch wood). They’d be ok if they were passing through — perhaps they’re there and I just can’t see them.

So going away sounds silly, but taking time out, going to a new location ALWAYS opens up my mind — always.

It’s a chance for me to challenge myself in some ways — new experiences, getting out of my comfort zone, saying yes to things I’d normally not do, packing very lightly — not over doing it, and staying on path with my food — perhaps more 80/20 while I travel rather than 90/10.

I get to meet new people and see what lights others up.

I get to relax with my family.

I get to watch our camper trailer get messy, and then tidy, and then messy — so very quickly.

I reset when I travel, my eyes open up and when I come home, those new eyes come with me.

Two years ago, we drove to the Gold Coast for a three week holiday. Whilst I was travelling, aside from my netball clothes, I’m pretty sure I wore 1 dress, 1 pair of shorts, 1 pair of leggins and 2 t-shirts. Plus swimmers and PJs — I wore nothing else.

Which means those jeans, pants, other shorts, other leggins and other dress never got worn. They were excess and I didn’t need them.

When we arrived home, I did a full clean out of my wardrobe — I decluttered and donated anything that I didn’t need, and I was super conscious about what came into my home — I didn’t bring in anything willy nilly — it had to have a purpose.

12 months later, I had the urge to declutter again, thinking that I still had those old clothes in my wardrobe. To my surprise, they were gone and I probably had half a bag to donate.

That felt good and I’ve continued to be really intentional with what I purchase. Aiming to buy organic and from sustainable suppliers. Not everything fits into this category, but I always buy for me, not because or for my emotions.

I always buy in alignment with me.

Happy decluttering and intentional shopping.

Today I’m proud of:

• Sleeping when I needed to
• Starting the first day of a challenge
• Being ok with things being a bit different when travelling
• Noticing when my brain says ‘chocolate time’ because that’s what we used to do when camping.
• I’m also proud of Chris and what he’s achieved over the last 2 weeks — he’s doing amazing.