Friday mornings in the Fall always leave me feeling a bit pensive. I reflect upon the week that has just passed and plan for the week ahead. I make sure meals are planned, all my projects, meetings with clients and work for the week to come are planned out and penciled onto my calendar. In between family, work, the farm, the house, I occasionally get a few precious minutes to enjoy a tea and sit by my kitchen window and write a thoughtful blog post. If I’m lucky.
I was going through boxes of personal belongings, trying to purge and simplify. I find a good purge feels so good every now and then. I found a bunch of my old cassette tapes and a few boxes of Hubby’s old cassette tapes as well. I had a good giggle.
Those are Hubby’s old cassette tapes. I was more into Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Skid Row, Def Leppard, Guns ‘N Roses, Motley Crue, Warrant, Slaughter, and yes, a bit of NKOTB and Ace of Base thrown in there too.
Taking a few moments for myself made me realize how this year I need to re-evaluate my priorities.
- Family first. Always.
- MAKE the time to call loved ones or send them a handwritten note.
- MAKE the time to visit with friends more often.
- Lessen the load when possible.
- Only accept opportunities or invitations that you love and really want. Less is actually more, in many cases!
- Say goodbye to FOMO! I used to suffer from Fear Of Missing Out, and only recently did I realize that I am happy to just do my own thing and not be crazy busy all the time. It got to the point where I was doing too much, attending too many functions (sometimes triple booking my days or evenings). It wasn’t healthy for my family for me to be that packed.
- Just be.
I also really need to work on my patience. I’m the type of person who wants things done immediately. If I can’t see results I want, I want them done faster. I also need to be more understanding of situations and of people. I have been purging not only my household items, but everything. I’ve been purging negative influences and people who do not enrich my life. I’ve got a life of my own and have found more peace being distanced from other people’s drama. Staying away from that is not a just a good thing. It’s necessary. Whether it be friends, family or acquaintances who have issues with others, I do NOT want to know and do not want to be involved. **To clarify, this is not directed at anyone in particular. This is just a general statement.
Do I feel badly for purging? I just got rid of a bunch of old clothing, toys, books, and other items. I even retired one of my favourite t-shrts from when I was in the John Abbott College environmental awareness committee. That was back in 1994 and I’ve hung onto it all these years.
I feel sad that I’m saying goodbye to things that were important to me before. They’re not the same things that are important to me now though.
Having realized this, I do feel like I’m as free as a bird now.
For your Friday listening enjoyment, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Free Bird:
This is one of my favourite songs. It always makes me feel a tad sad and wistful, but it’s on all of my mixed tapes. Yes, I said it. MIXED TAPES! The funny thing is that I have to go listen to my mixed tapes in my old Explorer, because that’s the only place I can play them! No tape decks except in the old vehicle!
What’s on YOUR Friday playlist? Do you have any areas in your life you’re currently working on?
I love this post and I think I should try purging my belongings too.
Love this post! We did a major purge when we moved and after my mom passed away. It is difficult to do but I believe its very healthy!
I agree with you… the FOMO is hard to deal with sometimes. But, I’ve done it in the past (so I know it’s possible!), but remembering to only take on the opportunities that ‘speak to me’ is important. I know you’ll find your balance, my friend – you always do. 🙂
Oh my, I recognize many of those tapes! I have been working on purging too, and it does feel good once you have done it.
No guilt with purging. We all need a little clarity and simplification in our lives.
Im currently working on ‘acceptance”.. not so easy!!
Love my 80s rock <3
That is one or my favorite songs too. Nothing wrong with purging. We all gotta do it sometimes! Out with the toxic energy and people.