I find this time of year exciting, so full of potential. Usually I’d be saying grab the opportunity and start something new, this year feels very different.
New beginnings is a recurring theme throughout the year. I’m not afraid of starting a new project or the inevitable adjusting to move along, the knowledge that achieving a goal is a meandering path rather than a straight line softens the pain.
Personally the start of the school year could well be my favourite time for initiating change, it carries the feeling of starting a new book or a clean page. My life has been governed by the rhythm of the school year, first off with my education and later with that of my children. And since they’ve long ago flown the nest the bliss of choice is not lost on me, travels are invariably planned during the quiet periods outside school holidays. Typically this is when I seek out workshops to develop new skills, often with the added bonus of visiting an undiscovered corner with new landscapes, architecture and museums.
A couple of years ago I sparked massive ongoing change, by selling the family home and grabbing the opportunity to live somewhere new. Of course that wasn’t the start, there was the job of getting the old house ready for market, along with all the tidying and clearing it out. Finding a property took time with all the usual glitches. Early this year, when at last, the renovations of the new house drew to a close I was ready to welcome more change along with all it brings. With a worldwide pandemic raging, life turned out how none of us had imagined, and there’s been continuous universal fast pace change to the fabric of all our lives.
This autumn I feel it’s time to take a moment and luxuriate in this shift to the new normal that’s been carved out around me. Not necessarily planned, I revel in the joy of the changes, goodness, its been a hideous journey for so many, but what an adrenalin packed adventure we’ve had. I’m taking stock, auditing life, with an eye on living with purpose and self-growth.
So what have the major shifts been in my life? When I decided to move I started to examine my life and to make sustainable changes to carry forward. These remain in place and now’s the time to roll them in with the new normal. My aim was to achieve a more sustainable and thoughtful way of life, by making small adjustments, resulting in less impact on the environment.
During the long months of shielding, the situation threw up new changes that I will keep as I move forward. The main one is online shopping reflected in my shop Soulfood Studio which was buzzing. Essential online shopping has streamlined my life. Grocery stores can have the repetition of supplying and delivering everyday products, with the frustration of searching out stray products left to the pickers. Squeaky fresh vegetables, gathered early, are left on my doorstep, as is loo roll and the laundry product is posted through the letter box. Though in the past I looked forward to grocery shopping I marvel at the liberation, the energy and time saved by delegating the chore. Now I look forward to topping up seasonal produce while enjoying a trip to the local farmers market with the chance of meeting friends. Currently travel abroad for many remains off the agenda, so there are planned staycations, along with an ongoing project of cycling and finding what’s on my new doorstep.
I’ve learnt in these recent months joy is about what’s in my head. Life doesn’t have to be perfect, just as good as I can make it.
If you like this post check out my posts on Plastic Free Kitchen , La Rentre: The Start of My Plastic Free Journey and Ditching The Plastic One Step At A Time: Herbal Tea Bags.