Things are just things

Before the new year I decided that I didn't want to enter 2016 with clutter, so I had a clear out. Something I realised whilst clearing out every payslip I'd ever received and my college work books from 6 years ago (I know, what the hell?), was that wow... I may have a slight case of OCD.

So there it began. I went slightly crazy and threw out everything that I hadn't used or didn't need to keep. There were so many things I'd kept thinking they were of 'sentimentle value' but couldn't even remember who had bought them for me or why I'd kept them. I had birthday cards from the last 7 years of birthdays. Perhaps I was planning to recycle them, who knows.

I'd also kept hold of things I'd bought in the spur of a past moment that had seemed like a good idea at the time but I had never actually used. The only reason I hadn't parted with them was because I wanted to convince myself that said posessions would eventually be used, rather than accepting I had in fact wasted my money on crap.

I had kept hold of things like tickets from past trips to Thorpe Park. I couldn't remember who I'd been there with that day or why it was important I kept the ticket. If, god forbid, my apartment was to burn down, these things would all be destroyed. Of course that would be overwhelmingly upsetting, however no souvenirs kept from good memories will compare to the actual memories I have in my mind.

I managed to get rid of 7 black bags worth of things to charity and 7 black bags to the tip. It was so refreshing. Since the clear out I have been a lot more responsible with the things I have bought too. There is no point in spending my hard earned money on something if it is never going to be used or appreciated. Yesterday I bought a slow cook recipe book as I've wanted one for a while (I'm getting old and boring apparently). It was reduced from £17.99 to £6.00 - an offer I could not refuse.

When I got it home, I was saddened to realise that actually the recipes in the book were not particularly inspiring. I'd grabbed the book so fast that I hadn't actually looked at it first. 2015 Mel would have kept hold of the book and hoped that her tastebuds would change and convince herself she would eventually utilise the recipes. 2016 Mel has decided this book is just going to sit on the shelf unused, gathering dust, so I will be returning the book to the shop I bought it from.

I'd really encourage everyone to have a clear out. There is no point in keeping hold of things you will not use. If they are still in good condition then donate them to a charity shop so someone else can benefit from your unwanted things.

Thank you for reading.

Mel x

2015: A Wrap-Up

Happy New Year Guys!

I know, I know... my blog posts have been a bit slack. The second half of 2015 was so busy. I seemed to barely find time to watch a bit of TV, let alone write a blog post.

As I mentioned in a previous update, I started doing a bit of freelance work and it all just sort of kicked off. I had some sort of project, be it a logo or website, to work on every single evening of the week. I love designing, it's my hobby. So to be paid to do it is such a great thing. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't making enough money to afford the monthly food shopping, let alone warrant leaving my career, but the odd bit of extra pocket money here and there was such a treat from just doing something I really enjoy.

I thought I'd wrap up on 2015 by listing some of the things I've learned and how I plan to take those lessons and make sure 2016 is an even better year. So here goes...

1. I can't do everything

I have always been such a 'yes person'. If ever my friends organise something, I'm always the first to accept the invite. This tends to get a lot harder when you're such a busy person. Last year I agreed to so many things in advance that I'd then get to said event and would have something on literally every evening that week. This made it really hard to have a good time because I was so exhausted from such a busy week I just wanted to go home, jump into my onesie, light my Yankee Candles and binge-watch Luther. 

Lesson for 2016: Don't cram up too much into a short period of time.

2. I'm too much of a pessimist

This is probably the main thing I realised I need to change about myself. I really am such a negative person. Not towards other people, but towards myself. Whenever anything is going well I instantly think 'uh oh' and look for the flaws or question what is going to go wrong.

Lesson for 2016: Enjoy the good, I can't change the future.

3. I don't actually enjoy junk food.

I love burgers, Häagen-Dazs salted caramel ice-cream, Krispy Kreme doughnuts and cheesy chips. I love the taste of them and the motion of eating those things. But... immediately after I always feel awful, guilt-ridden and fat.

Lesson for 2016: I will continue to eat those things but moderately. They will be a treat rather than a regular occurence. 

4. Waking up early is stress-prevention.

I went through a horrid stage before Christmas of just not wanting to get out of bed. I would lay in past all my alarms and then have a mad panic 20 minutes before I need to leave for work. It was just unnecessary stress. On the week just before Christmas I started waking up an hour before I needed to leave the house and I realised that actually, I felt more awake, refreshed and ready to start the day.

Lesson for 2016: Wake up as soon as the alarm goes off.

5. Responsibility with money is far more rewarding than retail therapy.

I feel like such a bore, but recently I paid off a massive chunk of my credit card and cleared my entire overdraft. The feeling of paying off that money and starting up a savings plan was so satisfying that it made me realise that being irresponsible with my money, although I may enjoy a cheeky Starbucks in the morning, just makes me stressed.

Lesson for 2016: Save money, clear the credit card and the occasional treat will feel more rewarding.

Thank you for reading and I wish you all a happy and properous new year!

Mel x