Hello, thank you for dropping in. It is pouring with rain here this morning and I am glad to be at home, although it is not cold and the residual warmth left in the ashes of last night's fire are enough to take the chill off the room.
Did you have a good weekend? I dug out my Advent calendar, now in its sixth year, I think. Every January I carefully close the little cardboard doors and put it away, pressed down under a heavy book so that those doors will stay firmly closed. I don't want a piece of chocolate every day, or a piece of cheese, a shot of alcohol or a new beauty product, I want to look at a festive picture - my daughters, of course, think I am daft and can't see any point in an Advent calendar without chocolate. I also dug out my star-shaped, glass Advent tealight holder. I discovered a few years ago that I prefer numbered tealights to a traditional Advent candle and although they are not as easy to find, I bought a set in The Range last month for £1.99. This twinkle time every evening is one of the reasons I like Advent.
According to the preacher at yesterday's Advent Sunday service, Advent is about excitement, reflection and preparation; it's about taking stock of where we are and planning for the future. I haven't yet found this year's excitement but I have been taking stock and I have made a Big Decision: I no longer need my degree notes. Please be aware that I graduated in 1986 and I haven't looked at these notes for more than thirty years! So why have I kept them? My best friend, who I have known for almost forty years, still has hers and says that she couldn't get rid of them because it would mean letting go of that part of her life and I think that until now, I haven't been ready to let go. My college years were a golden time. However, I feel ready now and on Saturday I opened up the wooden chest and took out four box files, two lever arch files and three A4 ringbinders. I methodically emptied them, glancing through them and removing any staples so that all the paper and card could go into the recycling bin. I realised that these were not my original lecture notes, they were the revision notes I made as I prepared to sit my exams, so this was a condensed version of three years of study! Inevitably, memories swam to the surface but I felt OK. Inside one of the folders I found my third year timetable and I remembered what a shock to the system it was to have to be in college by 9am on Thursdays after two years of leisurely mornings with Simon Bates and Our Tune on Radio 1!
It's strange how we hold onto things, I am terrible for doing that and then when I finally do de clutter and get rid of things ever so gradually, I always feel better and lighter, just wish I could keep it up. Have way too much 'stuff'
ReplyDeleteI have too much "stuff" too so I am hoping my energy levels will stay up for a while so that I can tackle some of it. Part of the difficulty is that I am so easily sidetracked! x
DeleteIt was a real struggle when we downsized and had to declutter but somehow it didn't have any great impact on our lives whatsoever so why did it take us so long?
ReplyDeleteI think part of my problem is that I haven't moved house for over thirty years so I've never been forced to have a clearout. So far, I haven't missed my notes! x
DeleteSince retirement three years ago we have been gradually sifting through old memorabilia including college paper work. Like you most of it has now been recycled and I agree it does make you feel lighter. Hope the Christmas sparkle arrives soon. I’m feeling very laid back at the moment. I’m sure I’ll start panicking soon. B x
ReplyDeletePerhaps the Christmas sparkle is waiting for me to make room for it by getting rid of more of my hoard?! x
DeleteNo need to prove yourself now and you still have the memories.
ReplyDeleteHello Catherine! You are absolutely right. I have the certificate too, and photographs. x
DeleteMy college notes are still sitting in the basement, however, they are from the degree I finished in 2011. Notes from my earlier degree are long gone. It takes time to move on from things, I find, and we don't need to beat ourselves up for hanging on until we're ready.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your support and understanding. I posted about this on Facebook and received some quite hurtful comments so your kindness is very welcome this morning. x
DeleteIt is kinda crazy all the stuff that we keep forever and ever. I know there's lots of things around here I need to get rid of but it sure takes time to go through it all. Always nice to free up some space. We would all be a lot happier if we didn't have so much stuff, I think. I enjoy seeing how everyone celebrates advent as it was not something I grew up with. Happy December!
ReplyDeleteHi Tammy. I really didn't expect to be doing this, the urge just sort of came to me, but it came to me again yesterday and now I am looking at tackling a bit more today. I'm obviously ready in a way I haven't been until now. x
DeleteMaybe some of your notes will return to you in the form of recycled materials! x
ReplyDeleteOh, that would be fab, I hadn't thought of that! x
DeleteOh well done, it's not an easy thing to do. You have to let just the tight amount of time pass and then you can wonder why you kept them so long. It was the same for me with the pram, when baby was 29, it was definitely time to get rid of it! x
ReplyDeleteThank you for understanding. I must confess that I still have my pram, although my baby is only 22! x
DeleteSometimes it is hard to let go, but it can be a huge relief to make space in your life...speaking of which, I’ve got some boxes to go through in the basement. Well done for doing this. Enjoy your Advent calendar - you are never too old to have a little excitement as you open each window. Marie x
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