Being More Intentional

The other day I was reading Courtney Carver's recent post on Finishing the Year with Love and Intention and it made me realise that this is something that I definitely need to do, in order to appreciate those around me and the things I already own that I really love.

This year I seem to have lurched from one life overhaul to the next, without really stopping to think and plan and take it in my stride.  I've now got to the point in the year where I'm actually feeling quite exhausted by it all and I need to take stock, calm down and just think about things a bit more, instead of flinging myself headlong into something else.

I didn't start the year with any intentions of instigating many of the changes that I have, and I don't regret them for a second, but I think I've swung from one extreme to another, with a kind of mania, instead of a gradual progression and I've been left feeling a little dizzied.  I am a pretty impulsive person, but when I look back, I must have seemed a little crazy to those who have witnessed it.  Trust me I'm not, just impatient once I decide on something.  I do eventually calm down though.

I'm thankful now that it is almost Autumn, as at this time of year, the change in the weather means I am happy to stay home and keep cosy and warm. I get busy with my small business in the lead up to Christmas too, which keeps me out of a lot of trouble.  In addition, I'm always more at ease with myself in the colder months, as I can wrap up warm in layers and I don't have to expose parts of myself that I'm not happy with.  Slouchy knits and T-shirts with jeans are the order of the day and so easy to throw on in a morning. I'm definitely a bit of a home bird these days and in the autumn/winter I don't feel like I should be doing anything else, but staying home doing homely things.

As previously posted, I have been taking steps to curb my online spending habits.  I'm now not looking to purchase anything inessential for the rest of the year. (Christmas presents excepted) I think I've indulged myself quite enough for one year, what with replacing most of my wardrobe and one thing and another. Frankly, it feels a relief to get to the point where I feel this way and have stopped wanting to purchase 'things' (be they consumables or not).

I'm not saying that I will never want to buy anything again, but for the moment I feel quite satisfied with what I have and just want to appreciate and use the things I currently have, instead of thinking and lusting after things I don't have.  I'm also hoping that I can use this slow down to really figure out what I want achieve next. This year's theme was meant to be simplicity, but it didn't really work out that way in reality, although in many respects, I have put some very important building blocks in place, that should help me to achieve more simplicity in years to come.  Decluttering has been a big one and simplifying my beauty products another.

Changing a mindset you've held for over 40 years, isn't as easy as I first thought and takes research, thought and focus to maintain the momentum.  I'm sticking with it, but letting myself relax into it more over the next few months, so that it feels more comfortable and natural and not putting any pressure on myself to be too perfect and purist.