Gorgeousness (and sometimes SCARY to leave space for the unknown). I think it's in Japan that there's a tradition of never filling drawers, shelves etc completely because they're actively inviting in more of the unknown. I love to aim for this (and often fill them completely). Sending enormous love to you on this emotional and practical journey (heart emoji but on laptop so can't)
I've really been enjoying this series, thank you. I've moved countries once and moved house eight times in the last ten years and it really changed my relationship to 'stuff'. I now find it easier to travel lighter and with less attachment. I'm always amazed how quickly you can strip a space of everything that made it 'yours' or 'home' and how impermanent everything really is. I'm in awe of you throwing out your notebooks... I still carry mine through all the moves, so it's given me food for thought!
Getting rid of my journals has been quite a big leap for me. It's making me realise that all I have is the present. It's good to process things in the present in my notebooks as it helps me make sense of things and helps me see things how they are. But it's like meditating. No one session is ever the same so I can't go back to revisit the thoughts of my meditation. So why keep my journals? They are part of a process. But keeping them to reread them - why? It's nuts. I think I will even stop buying nice notebooks. What gave me great pain is seeing the beautiful paper and covers - just discarded. Notebooks are simply a space for me to process my emotions, a 'session' that is to be enjoyed in the present. but then learn and move on. I can write things on vision boards or one notebook once I decided a way forward or building evidence of a new belief but I really don't want to keep on going over and over old stuff. Obv this is a purely personal decision. Everyone has a different take on this. What works for you?
That's so interesting! I have some notebooks that are full of personal jottings, poems, thoughts etc whilst I was travelling, falling in/out of love, getting to know myself as a human, and I'm very attached to them. Sometimes I like to revisit them to see if I need to talk to that part of myself or borrow a bit of a former self for a while. I also like to remember how certain things felt and the writing helps that immediacy. But, I never keep my morning pages journals, those go straight out, never to be re-read. I have a "nice journal" that I use for specific workshops or reflections and I do re-read it to see where I've come from and sometimes I'm surprised by what I was writing or thinking, how things seed themselves long before they become fully conscious. So, I suppose I'm saying I don't keep them all, but the ones I do keep are very dear to me. Since I read your post though, I have thought, what would happen if I didn't have them... and I think that is a good exercise in itself 🤗
We cleared out some books yesterday and got £30 at barter books. Today, I am looking at the spice cupboard and thinking 🤔. Most rooms feel easier now and I’m determined to keep going. ✨✨🍃
Gorgeousness (and sometimes SCARY to leave space for the unknown). I think it's in Japan that there's a tradition of never filling drawers, shelves etc completely because they're actively inviting in more of the unknown. I love to aim for this (and often fill them completely). Sending enormous love to you on this emotional and practical journey (heart emoji but on laptop so can't)
Thank you Eve
I've really been enjoying this series, thank you. I've moved countries once and moved house eight times in the last ten years and it really changed my relationship to 'stuff'. I now find it easier to travel lighter and with less attachment. I'm always amazed how quickly you can strip a space of everything that made it 'yours' or 'home' and how impermanent everything really is. I'm in awe of you throwing out your notebooks... I still carry mine through all the moves, so it's given me food for thought!
Getting rid of my journals has been quite a big leap for me. It's making me realise that all I have is the present. It's good to process things in the present in my notebooks as it helps me make sense of things and helps me see things how they are. But it's like meditating. No one session is ever the same so I can't go back to revisit the thoughts of my meditation. So why keep my journals? They are part of a process. But keeping them to reread them - why? It's nuts. I think I will even stop buying nice notebooks. What gave me great pain is seeing the beautiful paper and covers - just discarded. Notebooks are simply a space for me to process my emotions, a 'session' that is to be enjoyed in the present. but then learn and move on. I can write things on vision boards or one notebook once I decided a way forward or building evidence of a new belief but I really don't want to keep on going over and over old stuff. Obv this is a purely personal decision. Everyone has a different take on this. What works for you?
That's so interesting! I have some notebooks that are full of personal jottings, poems, thoughts etc whilst I was travelling, falling in/out of love, getting to know myself as a human, and I'm very attached to them. Sometimes I like to revisit them to see if I need to talk to that part of myself or borrow a bit of a former self for a while. I also like to remember how certain things felt and the writing helps that immediacy. But, I never keep my morning pages journals, those go straight out, never to be re-read. I have a "nice journal" that I use for specific workshops or reflections and I do re-read it to see where I've come from and sometimes I'm surprised by what I was writing or thinking, how things seed themselves long before they become fully conscious. So, I suppose I'm saying I don't keep them all, but the ones I do keep are very dear to me. Since I read your post though, I have thought, what would happen if I didn't have them... and I think that is a good exercise in itself 🤗
Yes, I think mine are definitely the morning pages type journals.
But always a good thing to ponder - why do we think we need stuff?
We cleared out some books yesterday and got £30 at barter books. Today, I am looking at the spice cupboard and thinking 🤔. Most rooms feel easier now and I’m determined to keep going. ✨✨🍃
Brilliant idea! x