9 bin bags later...

So I think I'm there...

 9 bin bags and 4 carrier bags later and I'm feeling pretty good!!

I've got 7 destined for the charity shop, one bin bag of shoes that isn't fit to see the light of day and a smaller bag for the charity shop and a bin bag and two smaller bags that might be ok for Phil the bag or a clothes bin - no one would actually choose them now.  And I've also got a bag of shoes that were Nan's to run past mum first. I've kept one pair but I've realised I won't wear them no matter how well made and stylish. 

This is what remains:

Still plenty of things. Now I need to read a little more of the book to learn about how I'm supposed to fold them (there's a whole section on it!! 

How I'm dealing with approaching 30 and coping with being single!

I think a lot of people wait a while longer to have a mid life crisis but I could be suffering from one now!! 

After having a good talking to (several on messenger) by some of the wonderfully inspirational women in my life (thank you all) I do know that 30 will be absolutely fine if not fabulous....

 I do know that I will achieve everything I want to and, more importantly right now perhaps, everything I had thought I would have by now. And it's absolutely fine to do that in my own time. I'm the only one pressuring myself!! 

That said I'm going to deal with my emotions and worries in my own unique way.

I found a book on tidying last week. I joked with Dad about getting it for Mum and then bought it for myself. Apparently untidiness isn't hereditary - I have good cause to question that.

The book is an international best seller:

The life changing magic of tidying. By Marie Kondo

Tidying is something I've always struggled with.  Being in a long distance relationship and living on my own for the past 2 years has meant that I can get away with being untidy a lot of the time. And thus it's taken over a little... People coming round resulted in me throwing stuff into hiding places! 

I'm half way through the book and I've decided it's time for action!

Marie Kondo advises tidying by category and not by room. She also talks about discarding A LOT! 

If an item doesn't bring you joy then you should thank it for whatever joy it has given previously in your life and then discard it. I'm thinking the charity shop will benefit. 

I've decided it's the perfect time for clear out as it seems things will get messy first and it could take months!! Yikes! 

So where to start? Here's what the book says:

"For the first category – clothing – I recommend dividing items further into the following subcategories to increase efficiency:

 Tops (shirts, sweaters, etc.) 

Bottoms (trousers, skirts, etc.) 

Clothes that should be hung (jackets, coats, suits, etc.) 

Socks 

Underwear 

Handbags, etc. 

Extra items (scarves, belts, hats, etc.) 

Clothes for specific events (swimsuits, uniform, etc.) 

Shoes 

And, yes, I include handbags and shoes as clothing."

So I've had a go (I did a bit of report writing first and I will intersperse it with more.) 

I've found all of my clothing except for what's due to be washed... Here's the result of putting them all in one room...

I had to use pano!!

 Another angle:

It's terrifying!! 

How many clothes I have is excessive and I'd honestly forgotten about some of them!!

Also I had no room for shoes and bags so they are separate : 

The next step is to go through bit by bit working out which items your keeping (if they bring you joy) and what to discard. 

The book advises you not to share what you're throwing away with family and friends but I'll consider that more fully when I get there. 

The book also tells you to visualise the reason why you are doing this. She suggests this will help you to succeed and help to deal with any other underlying issues. 

So my reasoning... 

When I find my Prince Charming I dont want to 

a. Be tidying like a loon before his arrival or 

b. Have him thinking I'm a total slob and leave! 

I also want to feel house proud as part of my journey to independence and I think part of that requires a really good clear out. That and I won't feel so bad about buying new clothes for 30yr old Rachel! Who knows I might discover a new style 😉 

I'lol update on how it goes! 

Easter reflection

So I've decided that rather than starting yet another book (I've already devoured three this holiday) I should use this time to reflect.

Where have I managed to do? How far have I got down my to do list?

 

Well not very far and very far all in one really!! I've not achieved everything I set out to but I've done so much more alongside that!!

I just read through my aims from my last post... 

I did my first 15minutes of Pilates this morning - I bought a book with a dvd. It was tricky, I'm not sure I did it all correctly but it blooming made my core work!! Now to carry on into tomorrow!

I've done so much more singing - oxjam classical concert was amazing back in November, a run of singing up to Christmas and a last minute New Years sing at our favourite local pub.

 I also sang 'to all men Jesus good has done' and the following aria with beautiful flute from St Matthew Passion for the Cranmer company of singers on Good Friday. Ikea other sing with them in July.

 I was paid £100 for one song at a polish wedding in March (originally it was intended I sing 2 or 3) and I've another 2 weddings in August (one where it's a priveldge to sing for my best friend and another where they will pay me for the privilege😉).

 On top of that, and my greatest challenge, is I've ended up taking over the year 5/6 choir at the juniors. I've taken 1 rehearsal in charge (previously supported the teacher I've taken over from and got to do a few 1 to 1 vocal sessions with a soloist for the choir - it was  really good fun and definitely made me consider 1-1 teaching at a later date!)

 By the end of the session I'd taught them a new song and had them singing it in 3 parts! We also sang through happy with harmony on each chorus (a total of 4 different parts) and they really enjoyed the warm up too!  So I now have 4 x 1 hour rehearsals to get them ready for a performance in front of their parents. I've two songs (happy and si si si) that need a little more work and to make perfect and we are also sing all you need is love with year 3/4 (I really need to get rid of of the easehhh instead of easy though!). I'd been advised to do the Lloyd Webber medley from young voices but it's a bit cringey in places - I will have to find an easy alternative if not! Unfortunately the concert falls between two other late school nights of new entrants meetings... Don't bother me that week with anything!!

On top of that Diploma looks likely for September 5th and I've got a recital in June. Things are coming together nicely! 

I might post about school stuff if I get enough time (around doing the actual school work and singing practise!).