We are well into the New Year and it is a time I love. That feeling that you have a whole year ahead of you to embark upon adventures, start and hopefully complete projects and just generally get your stuff in order. I love a good spring clean and de clutter and nothing is safe from my grasp. Ornaments that have sat on shelves for years, pictures that have become faded, books that will never be reread are all due to be recycled, repurposed or generally relocated to the bin – and items that are just out of place or there for the wrong reasons need to be addressed.
I’m not suggesting that you chuck out the family album and box up the clay model that your first born made in preschool but to have a reshuffle and maybe thin out the visuals can be really refreshing. It is also an opportunity to take a good look at the stuff you have hung onto over the years and decide whether it is fond nudges of times past or holding you back mentally. In a time of greater awareness of mindfulness and well being there has to be an argument for mental as well as physical dusting.
When my Mum died, I gathered all the bits that she had had on display through my childhood and shipped them home. I covered all surfaces in mental and physical comfort blankets. Whilst it was nice for a while, I came to realise that every time I saw these items it didn’t comfort me or bring me fond memories it just reminded me of how out of place they looked in my house instead of Mum’s and how much I miss her. Putting these items away doesn’t mean I’m ‘over her’ or mean I miss her any less it is just away of moving on and allowing myself to do that.
The other thing that has great bearing upon what you surround yourself with is the type of property you live in. Our last two houses have been big chunky farm houses so most of our furniture has been dark, solid, built to last pieces. We also had stuff that was ‘handed down’. That’s old person speak for “I’ve put up with it for 40 years now it’s your turn!” It usually comes with a lengthy explanation of how it saved Uncle John’s life in the war (yes -the wardrobe really did) or how the first three children lived happily in the ottoman until they were 6, thus ensure that you never have the courage to get rid. Well no more! Our current house is a reasonably modern detached estate house with no room for air looms or statements. So clever storage and floating shelves are the way to go and a strict look at what is currently hanging around, what we really need and more to the point what we really enjoy looking at or take pleasure in.
So, there is a new box in the loft with carefully packed items that one day I will look at fondly. I will not inflict them upon my children nor will I adorn my shelves with them but they are there should I feel the need for a trip down memory lane. Our house belongs to me, my husband and our children, and is decorated accordingly without guilt, excuse or remorse.