Organized House, Organized Mind

Nothing makes me feel better than putting on loud music, putting my hair up in a bun and shoving comfy clothes on to clean and organize the flat. I find it therapeutic and if there isn’t three bin bags full of crap by the end then the job hasn’t been done right. I’m obsessed with chucking things out that we no longer need, Graeme on the other hand is a little harder to persuade and is insistent that  “I’ll wear it to work one day.” Or “It will come in handy at some point.” I totally get that throwing things away is wasteful, but keeping things on the basis that you “might” use them “one day” knowing fine well they will still be in the same drawer gathering dust in a months time just really grates on me. That being said I am the absolute WORST for buying bits and bobs that I “think” I like in the spur of the moment, usually trying them on, then getting home and thinking oh? Why did I buy you - (Awkward) *hangs in wardrobe*

I think I have accepted that this will always be in my character because I am just a sucker for pretty things. One thing I have improved, or maybe I should say Graeme has improved is my budgeting. I used to be the girl that was paid on the Friday and had my months wage gone in one week on clothes and rubbish, then live like a pauper for the rest of the month. This just isn’t practical at all and when I first met Graeme I still remember the look of disgust in his eyes as I handed over my bankcard without knowing the total/price tag of the assorted pile of random clothing I had picked up in Top Shop. Now I’m like a new woman, I buy the same amount of rubbish but always on a budget – getting far more for my money and spending a quarter of what I previously did. Yeah, the quality is less but I still get the thrill of bringing it home and arranging it the way I like It in our new cute little flat. Who needs Laura Ashley and Stons when you can have Primark and Tesco Home right? (Me, Me, Me) As I get older I am beginning to realize that material things aren’t as important as society pressurizes us into thinking they are. Of course it’s nice to have nice things, but it isn’t the be all and end all. Savings are important too, rent, bills, quality of life, outings, food. Don’t break the bank for something you won't even be interested in a couple of months later.

Example of before:

Anyhow - I started my monthly task at 2.30 and I always tell myself "It won't take that long" but once I start I can't stop... Copious amounts of bleach, polishing, dusting, bin bags, bruises and sweat later and I was finished at 10.30pm. Nothing beats sitting on the couch knowing that everything is done and the feeling of accomplishment. I think I am sad... Typing this I'm thinking surely I can't be the only one that enjoys these kind of activities?

After:

                                   Vanilla candles and plug in air fresheners are the best thing ever.

I love night time, I like the lighting especially, maybe not so much in the Summer as it's still daylight at 9/10.

I could ramble on all day about spending habits, but this post was originally about how important and therapeutic I find GUTTING the place once a month. The stuff you find is unreal. Four little weeks and your drawers and cupboards seem to be bursting at the seems. Quite literally in this case…  My wardrobe was looking like a hot mess. I’m the kind of cleaner that makes the biggest mess and drags EVERYTHING out to re-rearrange it and put it back in again all clean and shiny. To the blind eye it doesn’t look like I’ve changed that much, but believe me, 8 hours of slavery have went into unpacking every nook and cranny in every room and putting it all back in.